Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-06-07
HENRY WARD BEECIIER
One of his Friends Makes Public singu-
lar Joint Letter,



The following appeared in the New
York TriJuns'e Of FridIv;
To the Editor Of Tas Tribune.
SIR; II is high time that the torrent
of slander against Henry Ward Beeeher
be arrested have In my possession a
copy of disavowal of all tue charges
and imputatiOns against Mr.. Beecher
even made by Henry c. Bowen, which was
executed on the % Of April, 1872. With.
out MIR. Beecher's knowledge, have held
this In my hands from that time TO this
And now, without his knowledge, give
this document tothe World, and estop and
convict the principal offender against
truth, public deeency, and the rights of
reputation.
My inducement to do this is the fact
that Mr.. BoweD has of late repeatedly
declared that he has never disavowed his
charges against Mr.. Beecher, but that he
yet insisted on their truth. And now the
public can understand the brave silence
which the great preacher has kept under
this protracted storm of slander. He had
covenanted to bury the past, and to
maintain peace and brotherhood. The
violation Of that agreement by Henry C.
Bowen unseals my mouth, If II does not
open the lips of the pastor of Plymouth
Church. SUFFOLK.
Nss York, May 90, 1878.
THE DIsAvowAL.
We three men, earnestly desiring to re-
move all causes OF cffense existing between
us, real or fancled and to make Chris
tian reparation for injuries done or sup.
posed 10 be done and to etlace the dis
turbed past and to provide concord, good
will, and love for the future, do declare
and covenant, each to the other, as fol-
lows:
l. l, Henry q. Bowen, having given
credit, perhaps without due eonsidera-
ton, to tales and inuendoes affecting
Henry Ward Beeeher, ,and being influenced
by them, ms was natural to a man who
receives Impressions suddenly, to the
however. aud within limitations, and not
for the purpose of iujurng him, but
strictly IN the confidence of cOnsultation) },
now feel that therein l did him wrong.
Therefore disayow all the charges and
inpulntions that have been attributed to
me as having been by me made against
Henry Ward Beecher-and l declare,
fully, and without reserve, that | know
nothing which should prevent me from
extending TO him my most cordial friend e
ship, confidence, and Christian fellow
ship. And expressly withdraw all the
charges, imputations, and inuendoes
imputed as having been made and uttered
by me, and set forth ia letter written to
me by Theodore Tilton on the first day OF
January, 1871, "a copy of which letter is
hereto annexed) land l sincerely regret
having made any imputatiOns, charges,
or innuendoes uniavorable to the Chris
tian character of Mr.. Beecher. Aud l
covenant and promise that fer all future
time | will never by word or deed recur
TO, repeat or allude to, any or either OF
said charges, imputalions, and innu-
endOes.
IL. And I, Theodore Tilton, do, of my
free will and friendly spirit toward Henry
Z. Bowen aud Henry Ward Beecber,
hereby covenant and agree that l viii
never again repeat by word of mouth OF
otherwise, any of the allegations, or i'm
putatiOns, or inuendoes contained in my
letter hereunto annexed, or any other in
furious imputations or allegations sug'
Eesied By or growing out of these-ant
, that | will never again bring up or hint
, at any cRuse of difference or ground o
complaint heretofore existing betweer
the said Henry c. Bowen and myself, Of
the said Henry Ward Beecher.
/ Ill And l., Henry Ward Beecher, pul
the past forever out OF sight aud out o
memory. l deeply regret the causes o
! suspicion, jealousy, and estraugemen
which have come between us. IL is
-, Joy to me TO have my old regard TO
= Henry c. Bowen and Theodore Tilton re
/, stored. and happiness to me to resum
, the old relations of love, respect, and re
: lance to each and both of them. If
have said anything injurious to the repu
tation of either, or have detracted frou
> Their standing and fame as Christial
gentlemen and members of my church,
= revoke il all, and heartily covenant
repair and reinstate them TO the exten
of my power.
Signed, Fl. C. Bowen,
THEODORE TlLTOE,
II. W. BEEcnRR.
| BRnOk.YN. April %, 1872.