The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-09-19
THE BEECAER.TIlT0A AFFAIR.
Erancls ID. m0ulton,s Reply to Rev.
Horny ward Beechor,s StatemonsS
Before the Plymouth Church Conn
nlittoe.

The New York Graphic Of Friday
the llth prints in fnll the second long
statement from Francis D. Moulton. in
reply to Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's
statements affecting him, as made to the
committee Of inquiry selected by Mr..
Beecher from Plymouth Church and
congregation. The major part Of the
reply is prolix defense Of Moulton
against the charges Of bad faith towards
Beecher and Of having blackmailed him.
The evidence presented in this regard
consists mainly Of Beccher's letters ex-
pressing warm affection and strong graf
itude to Moulton for his friendly Offices,
and also verbal repetitions Of the same
in presence of third persons, both con-
tinued up to the 4th Of August
last. The argument IS that if
Beecher had suspected Moulton Of bad
faith, or Of conspiring to blackmail him,
he could not have entertained such
affection for him, nor could his graft
tude have been SO excited except by
actual services Of great Importance;
and that the attack upon Moultou was
an afterthought, probably coming from
Beecher's lawyers and not originating
in his own mind. The $4,000 paid by
Beecher, was, Mr.. Moulton says, for
sustaining the Golden Age; it was at
Beecher's own suggestion, and was ex-
pended as he directed; but it was Ro
more than Moulton and other wealthy
men Of Brooklyn gave for the same Oh;
ject and with the same motives, except
that Beecher had personally, greater
interest in Tilton's welfare than the
others. This was paid as from Moul-
ton, Tilton not knowing that his news
paper enterprise orr himself was under
any obligation to Bcecher for any OF
the money advances made by Moulton.
As to tho $4,000 besides, that, Dir.
Moulton says, was mainly used for the
support of Bessie Turner, and was ar.
ranged for by Mrs. Tilton and Mr.
Beccher, neither Tilton nor Moulton
having anything to do with the plan.
One letter is produced, showing that
Bcecher sent check to Moulton, with
out solicitation. The dates Of the
checks produced by Bcechcr are shown
to correspond with thc half:yearly pay
mcnts for Bessie's support at school.
Brief reference is made to Bcecher's
supposed annual income Of $4,000 or
more as one evidence that the payment
of $5, 900 or 81 900 by MIN could not
be regarded as blackmaiiing.
The statement then goes on to show
that through the earlier period Of their
intimacy, Beecher was laboring to sup.
press greater than the Tilton scandal,
and to relieve himself from moro dan
gerous enemy than Tilton-to. wit:
Bowen and Bowen's story that Bcerher
had confessed to him (Bowcn) adultery
with five different women, one Of
whom informed Bowen that Beecher
accomplished his purpose upon
her by force. At Moulton's sug-
gestion, Mr.. Beecher sought to be
prepared against Bowen by procuring a
denial Of this story from the woman
last referred to, but only procured an
expression of regret that she had told
Bowen. and declaration that she was
friendly to Bcccher. Bowen, according
to Moulton, was silenced by the tusi-
ness advantages he obtained from
Beecher, and was forced to the compro-
mise through Tilton's power over him.
The statement purports to give in part
the language in which Beecher confess
ed his adulteries to Moulton, and pre-
sents letters showing that Beccher re-
newed his correspondence with Mrs.
Tilton, and kept it up for year after
he had promised to have no further in.
tercourse with her.
Throughout the statement the in-
genious logic Of Ben. Butler is appar-
ent, and the arrangement and use of
such documents as are presented are
lawyer.like. But parts of the narrative
are unfit for general publication.
It is now expected that Theodore
Tilton will publish further statement
Of the affair, from his standpoint, while
his suit for damages against Beocher
will come on for trial in October.