Year: 1875

We ind the following In the Chris


tian Union, and We publish it for the


purpose of fully and thoroughly en-
dorsing its conclusions regarding the
innocence Of Mr. Beecher of the vile
charge brought against him by the
TiltonMoulton gang of conspirators {:


wholly without Mr.. Beecher' s


knowledge. the other conductors of
| this paper again take the responsibility


of speaking IN its name. They wish
its readers to know what attitude they


occupy toward its editor-in- chief dur


ing the progress of his trial, and what
is the papers position toward him.
They purposely choose this time, when
| the prosecution is bringing forward Its


most plausible evidence, and before


the defense has begun its reply. 1t is
! in no inconsiderateness or spirit OF


bravado that they speak. The great
| interests which are involved on their
part are the assurance that their


words are deliberate and well-weight-
ed.


We sag. then, that we have un-
| shaken and absolute confidence IN
| Mr.. Beecher's entire innocence. We
| implicitly believe that he is a pure,
| upright Christian man. We hold him
worthy of the utmost trust as moral
teacher. And the Christian Union,


which has been proud to bear mis-


name when the whole world honored


him, is prouder to bear it to-day in


his adversely than ever before. That


name will never be taken from the


papers front so long as the paper re-


mains in its present hands.


The Christian Union is ready to


stake its life on Henry Ward Beecher.
We say this with the full meaning of


the words, well assured of the ground
on which we stand The editorial


and business manager of this paper


know Mr.. Beecher We have per-
sonal knowledge, and some of us have


life long knowledge of his character.
We know that his life, in its great


principles, is animated by the spirit of
God We know that he is totally in


capable of the monstrous hypocrisy


with which he is charged. 1t is out


of faith, fervent indeed, but based


on knowledge as rational and we'll


grounded as the human mind admits,


that we pledge to him anew the unre-
served allegiance of the Christian
Union. In the prosperity of this pa
| per our personal fortunes, interests,
and aspirations are most deeply in


volved. We freely and gladly stake


it all on the Christian purity OF this
man.


We are not insensible to the spe-
| ciousness of some of the evidence


brought forward by the prosecution;
nor have we any censure for those
| who. having no personal knowledge of
the man, and no clear intimation of
how his accusers will be met. are for
the present swayed against him. But
we ourselves have no doubts. The
issue of this trial is with the AL
mighty We look to see Mr.. Beech
er's name cleared before the whole
world, and such honor paid him as he
has never yet received. When that
day comes. we shall rejoice that in
these dark hours the paper avowed its
faith.


But even if the temporary issue
should be in any degree adverse, we
are willing to share adversely with our
leader. If the public should be mis- y
led into doubling him, the Christian
Union could ask no more honorable
fate than to share the evil as well as
the good fortune of the man who has
better served the American commu
nifty and the cause of Christianity
than any other in this generation. In
good report and in evil report, We
trust and honor him, and are proud
to follow him. We know that sooner
or later these clouds will pass away,
and his name shine as one of the
faithful of God