New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-03
NOTABLE TRIAL IN CINCINNATI.

The amount Of clerical heresy prevailing at pres
ent is astonishing. An ordinary layman would,
we think, he pardoned for believing that half OF
the ministers in the country were trying or about
to try the other half for heresy. But while what
we shall venture to call the old line churches have
been busy with heresy, that newer religious or
panization known as the Salvation Army has not
been idle The Salvation Army is noted for going
to the root of matters 1t does not worry itself
about fine points of worship or discipline. II
man wants to pound the big drum with his left
hand instead of his right, no objection is made
So. while the Presbytcrians, the Episcopalans, the
Baptists and Others were trying or getting ready
to try alleged heretics the Salvation Army, ignor-
ing the man who preferred to kick on the bass
drum with his heels instead Of pounding 1t with
the stio has laid the to the root by indioting
irving and convicting the Enemy of Mankind him
self
The trial took place at the Army barracks in
Cincinnati day or two ago. We trust that we
NAV be allowed to refer to the prisoner in plain
English as the Devil for the indictment was drawn
under that name 1t charged him with fraud,
enlightenment, deceit and general immortality DR..
Davidson acted as Judge, Captain Shattuck was at
torney for the prosecution and John Pell defended
the prisoner Some difficulty was experienced In
securing jury, owing to the fact that many were
prejudiced against the prisoner, but twelve i'm
partial men who have never read anything about
the case in the newspapers were at last got TO-
gether The prisoner was not in court, and the
prosecution freely charged that he had ao-
seconded and gone to Chicago, but as
his counsel was willing that the trial should
proceed no attention was paid to his absence.
The prosecution called cloud of witnesses to es-
tablish the prisoners guilt. They especially
pressed the charges of deceit and general lmmo-
rality. Pell kept up vigorous crosseXam1nahon
and broke down much of the testimony by show
ing that the witnesses were unduly preJudlced anu
were giving mere hearsay evidence only one
witness, a man from st. Louis, claimed to know
the prisoner personally, and his evidence was
weakened by the fact established by the defence
that he had been confined at one time in an in
sane asylum Another witness, Kentuckian,
had heard that the prisoner went about as roar
ing lion. Thought he saw the statement IN
Louisville newspaper. Evidence rejected as hear.
say Another witness was sure that he had once
seen the prisoner in the form of roaring lion'
Was chased by him late one night. Admitted
having previously drunk pint OF whiskey Also
some GIN Might have had beer, too. Noticed
that the prisoner had yellow spots on him-might
have been in the form of hyena or leopard
witness was no zoologist. Besides, he was rum
ming too fast to observe closely Heard the pris-
oner roar, however, distinctly, and saw that he
had green eyes. Yellow spots might have been
brass buttons Thought the animal did carry a
club Met his wife at home and wished that he
had stayed out and faced the prisoner, whatever
form he was In.
The defence was then taken up. The line as
sumed by the counsel, Pel, was an attempt to
prove the previous good character of his client
lie had consde difficulty in getting witnesses,
but managed to make out fair case. Several
witnesses swore that they had never heard any
thing particular against the prisoner, aild
testified that he had seen it stated in q newspaper
that he had not had his due. Another had heard
a man in play say that the prisoner was a gentle
man. Each side summed up in eloquent addresses.
Judge Davis charged the jury impartally. The
Jury was out but few minutes, when it came in
and gave verdict of guilty as indicted. Judge
Davidson overruled motion for a trial and
sentenced the prisoner to imprisonment for life
A requistion will be asked from the Governor
Of Illinois. and the condemned parsonage will be
brought back TO Cincinnati.
Everybody will be glad to know that the case
ended as it did. The Devil has made altogether
too much trouble IN the past, and now that he has
been disposed of no doubt things will go on bet
ter. Possibly there will even be less heresy diti
culties in the churches, as it would not surprise
us in the least if it were found that he has been
at the bottom of the troubles all along.