The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-06-10
scandal.


NV York, May 80.-The custodian
of the covenant entered into on April 2,
1872, by Henry Ward Beecher, Theodore
Tiltou and Heury G. Bowen, makes that
instrument public this morning, assigning
as reason therefor the fact that Bowen
has of late repeatedly declared that he
had never disavowed his charges against
Mr. Beecher, but that he yet insisted upon
their truth.
The disayowal,t to which is attached the
signature of the above named, opens
thus:
We three men, earnestly desiring to re
move all causes of ofense existing be
tween us, real or fancied, aud to make
Christian reparation for injuries done,
and to efface the disturbed past and pro-
vide concord goodwill and love for the
future, do declare and covenant:
Henry c. Bowen then disavows all
charges and imputations attributed to
him, as made by him against Mr.. Beech
er, and declares, without reserve. that he
know nothing which should prevent him
from extending to Mr. Beecher his most
cordial friendship, confidence and Chris
tian fellowship; regretting sincerely that
he ever made any imputations, charges or
inuendoes unfavorable to the Christian
character Of MIR. Beecher, and promising
never in the future to recur to them by
word or deed
Theodore Tilton avows that lie will
never again repeat, by word of mouth or
otherwise, any of the allegations. impu-
tations or inuendoes contained in his let
ter to Bowen, in which the latter is cited
as the author of said allegations. etc /,
against the moral and Christian charactef
of Mr. Beecher.
Dir. Beecher, on his part, puts the past
forever out of sight and memory, ano
says;
al deeply regret the causes OF suspi-
cion, jealousy and estrangement which
have come between us. 1t is joy to me
to have my old regard for Henry G. Bow
en- and Theodore Tilton restored, and a
happiness TO me to resume the old rela-
tions Of love, respect and reliance to each
and both of them. If have said any
thing Injurious to the reputation of either
or have detracted from their standing or
fame as Christian gentlemen and mem-
bers Of my church, revoke it all, and
heartily covenant to repair and reinstate
them to the extent Of my power.
The custodian of the covenant says the
public can now understand the brave si-
lence which the great preacher has kept
under the protracted storm Of slander =
He had covenanted TO bury the past, and
to maintain peace and brotherhood
The document is given to the world to
estop and convict the principal offender
against truth, public decency, and the
rights of reputation
New York. June 2.-It is said that
Henry Ward Beecher has been so much
annoyed at the sharp criticism in some of
the daily journals on the action of The
odore Tilton. as witness to the famous
letraction of Bowen's charges, that he
has resolved to come to Tillon's defense.
After consulting with several friends,
he has prepared a statement exonOrating
Tilton from all blame in connection with
the terrible scandal with which his name
has been associated
As to how the retraction was made, Mr..
Clafnn was, it is said. instrumental in
bringing about the retraciion which bears
the signatures of Beecher, Bowen and
Tilton. The retraction, it is said, was
drawn up by Samuel Wilkinson, business
partner'of Mr. 9eechcr, and after it was
signed the document was handed to MIR
Claffln for safe keeping. Wilkinson, how
ever, had made copy, and gave it to the
press last week.
The following card was published to.
day:
To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle:
DEAR SIR: Ihave maintained silence
respecting the ISLANDERS which have for
some time past followed me- should
not speak now but for the sake of reliev-
ing another of an unjust imputation.-
The document which was recently pub.
lished, bearing my name and others, was
published without consultation either
with me or with Mr.. Tlton, nor with any
authorization from us. If that document
should lead the public to regard Nj. Til.
ton as the author Of the calumnies to
which it alIudes, it will do him great in.
justice. am unwilling that he should
even seem to he responsible for injurious
statements, whose force was wholly de-
rived from others
HENRY WARD BEEcHER