The San Francisco call., 1896-02-10


How would the editors themselves like to have
tne same searcnllght thrown upon them as
persistentiy as they are pouring it upon their
suit the demands of the scoop" business?
Does some on reply, Newspaper men do not
pretend to be models of virtue? In reply
Woulu say, dare venture the assertion that
the, greater number of their class claim q
really attain unto.
Why not make an example of one of them
and let us see what the sleuthhounds of the
1nquisltlon can drag out of the mire and filth
OF Of the past to smirch them (him) in the eyes OF
might be brought out some very mean suspi-
clons, lnslnuations and innuendoes, to say the
leest.
1t is many weeks since have seen DR..
Brown or had any conversation with him. He
has no more idea of my attitude toward him
than you had when you came into this room
man W ho is being kicked after he is fallen no
matter whether he has been Knocked down or
mas snpped down. 1t is inhuman to kick
man after he is down.
1t is high time to call a halt in this dfsprace-
lul al persecution. | voice a deep and wide
spread sentiment when 1 condemn the cow
ardiy practice of the sharpshooters.
Ihls long, drawn-out discussion of the cur
rent scandal is not in the interest of Dr. Brown
nor MS church, nor of the people, nor of pub
ao ac morals, put for the love of the almighty
suoaiaf, ana tne consuming ambition to have
our paper" come out neck ahead in the
race 1t is generally only a nose ahead, for the
papers mat employ the. longest-nosed report
other peoples business
why has no one spoken a word for DR..
brewnf t CIV l believe in him and shall continue
70 oo so untll ne is proven guilty by properly
constituted tribunal, and I beg others to do
the same.
plead in the name of public morals, which
nave Deen corrupted and degraded by the un-
Warranted course of the self-constituted triers
OF the accused; plead in the name of social
order. which by the lawlessness OF unjust critt-
cmm is being overthrown.
1t is said in justification of the course which
! condemn, CDR. Brown has acted very fool.
@sv We Ssvs admit otsa it. ITO sT is
What then? Do we burn people for lack Of
wisdom? II so, then adieu to editors and
preachers and nearly everybody else. for we
snail snail ali soon go up into smoke together and
our remains-"Ashes to ashes, dust TO dust"
But in further justification of doubtful
course are we told that Dr. Brown began it and
ne must surfer the consequences. l would say
IN reply: "Did he commit an objectionable
sin, did he commit any sin, in causing the ar
rest OF the woman Mrs. Davidson?"
Mrs. Davidson has not yet been tried by
jury, but DIR. Case thus denounced her last
night, standing in his pulpit on Howard
street. And written by the preacher be-
tween the lines of the typewriter copy
sent to The CALL is the sentence:
There is no apology for her infamy.
: Referring again to DIR. Brown, the
Howard-street preacher asked:
Was not his course legal and straigh tfor-
ward one? Because he took a legal course are
others justified in pursuing him in an illegal
mannere
But still further it is said of Mr.. Brown that
he makes enemies by his imperious and pug
nacious and arbitrary manner. Admitted /;
the criticism may be perfectly just, but YOU
would not put man in hades because he has
fiery, choleric temper, would you? You
would have little charity, imagine. for one
1Khn aisr1f hnnyR 41ern No.,
somewhat different constitution from that
with which you yourself are endowed.
Bat again, the question is asked. why did
he pay money to the woman; any fool ought
to know better than that?"
My answer to that question would be that if
DR.. Brown had been deliberate and cunning
some sharp practice to have prevented the
payment OF the money. But inasmueh as he
was not skilled in the tricks and methods OF
the vicious, he was more easily led to do an
unwise thing.
But suppose he did it to entrap one whom ne
believes TO be fendish foe who was seeking
his morey or his reputation, which is better
than life? suppose he did it to get the case
into the civil court and secure the ends of JUS
tice? every foolish to do it, you say. Yes,
probably; but does that prove him guilty {?
Would you hang man on such evidence as
that?
Are there not two constructions possible to
decency require US to put the best constructio
upon it, SO long as the accused claims to have
acted with such motives?
a few words about the Congregational
church as an ecclesiastical body, and the
preachers work of disciplining the news
papers was done:
The whole affair is hard strain on Congre-
gatonalism. The weakest point in Congre-
gationalism is its judicial economy OF neces-
sity IL moves more slowly and more cum
brously than most other churches in cases of
administration. But give them time and they
will get at the bottom facts and will deal Justly
with all concerned.
1t seems, unfortunately. to be assumed by
the managers OF the press that the church can
not determine the moral value of DIR. Brown
without their constant and unremitting atten-
ton. In this they are mistaken. The church
will settle that matter without whitewash
II is true the church is not above criticism in
Wednesday night prayer-meettng turned into
veritable bedlam, as has been done more
than once in this City, is enough to make
angels veil their faces and weep for shame and
sorrow.