The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-27
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL---SATURDAY NOVEMBER % 1886
THE CONVERSE CAST.
A LAST WORD OR TWO BY TIE
PROSECUTORS.
Analysis OF the Verdict, Which They
Believe Cuts Both Ways and
VIII DO Good.
To the Editors of the Appeal /:

dsmls ing from our minds the
now celebr Ued case OF che Presbyte.
Tian Cnur, W, ConveIs * Conve s."
it seems in eve y way p oper that we
sbou d make TO The C0nstian pub ic
the fnai Statement, VIII ch follows:
F ON the ince ,u0n OF this pain full
flair 1t was cur pu p lse, not to luin
the deiendsnts, but to save them by
awakening them to Knowledge of the
fact that they wer veiy generally re-
ga ded az the authors OF reckless, and
even slanderous, statements. This
lesson, 30 important for them to learn,
has been brought home to them, as
we fully believe, by the verdict OF
their Presbytery, rendered at the close
OF the recent triel. That verdict was
obtained against the most powerful
efforts Of one OF the shrewdest and
sblest lawyers in Kentucky, who from
first to last availed himself of every
technically in civil practice to ex-
clude evidence. At last 1t stood
nineteen for acquittal and eleven for
conviction, upon q charge involving
the very foundations OF moral chsIac-
ter. They are, therefore, acquitted
upon such an accusation by M GRITTY
OF eight votes. OF these, one was the
paetor OF the excellent family of the
elder OF the Brothers Converse, who,
as we are informed, pleaded most pa
thetically at the lest moment that YER
dict for condemnation was likely to
result In the destruction of life OF !
priceless value. Another was related |
by marriage to the junior brother. A |
third, through his family, was bound
to Converse & Co. by the closest rela.
tons of business and friendship. A |
fourth, as is universally remarked |
among those who know him, hiss for |
yeats been subject to a painful disor-
der of the nervous system, which he's |
greatly intensified his emotional sus-
capabilities at the expense of his |
judgment. To what extent these pc
cullar circumstances and relationships |
may have unt CONSCIOUSLY impressed |
four out Of this mai ,rity Of eight is
question iemitted to the considera- |
ton OF Intelligent men, we being |
content to make known the facts.
The verdict un der all thsse conditions |
We I6RhTU db hUOuI tu0 nap y est |
that could be reasonably expected. |
For whilst it does not affix the indeli-
BILE stigma OF convic ion upon the de-
PENDANTS, 1t has clearly revealed to
them their awful danger, and their
best friends have expressed the
esrnest hope that they may profit by
the warning.
The eleven ministers of their own
Presbytery who sustained the indiCt-
ment confessedly represent a large
proportion of its talent and culture,
It cannot be claimed that they are
biased by sympathy with DR.. Wood
low, inasmuch as only two we're on
bis side in the controversy about his
soundness in the faith.
In view of the above stated facts,
the prosecution feel justified in in
dulging the hope that the chief pur.
pose for which they undertook their
painful task has been accomplished,
and that the trial will eventuate in
good to the church and in a much
needed warning to the accused, while
at the same time spsring them from
the irretrievable injury Of final con-
viclion.
EUGENE DANIEL,
WIN. Il. B0GGS.