The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-02-15
nsY.nr. Alnl,lIOnk,. .n.e.

The INrELLldRScRR found occasion 10
comment on what 1t considered the re-
markabIe verdict in the case Of Rev. j. G.
Armstrong, formerly Of this city. The
verdict was inconsistent with itself.
Atlanta papers now at hand, the Con'li.
tuition and the Euening Cdpildl show that
In that city the yerdictiS regarded as some
Whist peculiar; that DR.. Armstrong has
the sympathy and confidence Of his vestry
and Of his congregation, who desire lis
restoration to his pulpit; that the press,
which is ever supposed 10 be uncharitable
In its judgments Of the clergy and eager
to hold 1t up to the public gcorn and con-
tempt, holds Dr.. Armstrong innocent Of
anyintentional wrong, believes him to be
rodly man OF great use to the community,
expresses the warmestsynpathy him,
and hopes that he may soon be allowed to
resume his place at the head Of his con-
grepation. Here Is what the Constitution
says:
We may as well say frankly, and with.
ont criticism OF tho the verdict OF tho court
or OF the high and honorable court itself,
that wa do not believe Dr.. Armstrong
1uilty Of the Slightebt intentional wrong.
We believe he Is pure man and good
one. We have seen him often during his
trial. We have seen him when his agony
was keenest and his humiliation deepest
we heard his statement as he delivered II
with pallid and trembling lips to the court
Never have we seen him when he did not
wea-, 10 our mind, the mien OF an innocent
man, Never have We seen him when he
abated, for an instant, the sweetness and
dignity and courage of tilAn who was
sustained by O conscience void oil olense.
This opinion cannot aud should not stand
against the decision Of a court Of eminent
and Ilawless character. Bat 1t is an honest
and deliberate and earnest opinion, and
for whatever II Ia worth to man who hos
already suffered beyond tho capacity Of
most mon, II Is freely put on record.
The Evening Capital says. The trial Is
over, and, after ali, Of what has tho rector
oist. Philips been found guilty From the
facts, II guilty at all, 1t might have been
OF an indisCretion.
we are now unbOllUlbou huu uuSVukulb
ayoWedly o friend OF Dr.. Armstrong. We
announce, too, that we are as ready as
ever to believe him sinful, or guilty Of the
charges pending againat him, II we can
only discover one substantial, reasonably
proven sinful step that he has taken. We
beg 10 offer 10 tho sorrow.strlCken doctor,
TO his lovely wiisand accomplished daugh.
ter our BinCerest, heartfelt sympathy a.
this hour when the clouds Of adversely
and trouble are rolling over them, aud
that through II all the light may soon
shine In such brillianCy and power rs to
diBpel the shadows ot the present hour.
The story told on DR.. Armstrong was
worked up by q reporter who suddenly
aud mysteriouSly left Atlanta while the
trial was In progress. Knowing that this
person had spent some time in Wheeling,
iuuuiriss have been sent here and an.
aweted, aud 1t 10 understood that the
replies do not establish the CredlbllitS Of
the witness.
Rev. Dt. Armstrong admitted that he
took beef With his dinner in a 0lntlnnati
hotel. Il can hardly be that he has been
suspended ior this, for there are clergy
men who make no conCealment Of the
fact that they are not total abstainers.
Whether every clergyman ought to be a
total abstAinsf Is q question which 10 not
here discussed.