Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-07-31
The Denial.

On the 22d several of the deaeOns Of Ply
mouth Church, with Mr.. Shearman, Mr.. Ross
and Gen. Tracy met at Mr.. Beecher's resi-
dence, and, after a council lasting about three
hours, drew up the following statement Of
Mr. Beecher's for publication;
do not propose at this time detailed ex-
animation of the remarkable statement Of
Theodore Tilton, made before the Committee
Of Investigation, and which appeared in print
July 81, 1874. / recognize the many reasons
which make it of transcendent importance to
myself, the church and the cause Of public
morality that 1 shall give full answer
to the charges against me. But having re-
quested the Committee OF Investigation to
search this matter to the bottom it is to them
that must look for my vindication. But |
cannot delay for an hour to defend the repu-
tation of Mrs. Elizabeth r. 1ilton, upon whose
name, in connection with mine, her husband
has attempted to pour shame.
One less deserving of such disgrace never
knew. From childhood she has been under
my eye, and since reaching womanhood she
had my sincere admiration and affection. /
cherish for her pure feeling, such as a gen.
tleman might honorably offer to a Christian
woman, and which she might receive and
| reciprocate without moral scruple. | re-
ject with indignation every imputation
which reflects upon her honor or my
own. My regard for Mrs. Tilton was
perfectly well known to my family When
serious difficulties sprang up in her house
hold it was to my wife that she resorted for
counsel, and both of us, acting from sympa-
thy, and, as it subsequently appeared, With
out full knowledge, gave unadvised counsel,
which tended to harm.
have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton found that
his wife's confidence and reliance upon my
judgment had greatly increased, while mis- in
iluence had diminished, in consequence of a
marked change in his religious and social
views which was taking place during those
years. Her mind was greatly exercised lest
her children should be harmed by views
which she declared virtually false and
dangerous. / was suddenly and rudely
aroused to the reality Of impending
danger by disclosure of domestic distress;
of sickness, perhaps unto death; of the likeli-
hood of Il separation and scattering of fam
lily every member of which ! had tenderly
loved. The effect on me of the discovery OF
the state Of Mr.. Tilton's feeling aud the con-
dition of his family surpassed in sorrow and
excitement anything that had ever expert
enced in my life. That my presence, infiu-
ence and counsel had brought to a beloved
family sorrow and alienation gave, in my then
state of mind, poignancy to my suffering
which | hope no other man may ever feel
Even to be suspected of having offered, un-
der the privileges of peculiarly sacred rela-
tion, an indecOrum to wife and mother
could not but deeply wound any one who is
sensitive to the honor of womanhood
There were peculiar reasons for alarm in
this case on other grounds, inasmuch as
was then subject to certain malignant ru-
mors, and a fragrant outbreak in this family
would bring upon them an added injury, de.
rived from these shameless falsehoOds. Belev.
| ing at the time that my presence and cOunsels
had tended, however unconsciOusly, to pro.
duce social catastrophe represented as i'm.
mment, gave expression " my feelings IN
an interview with mutual friend, not in cold
and cautious sclf-defending words, but eagerly
taking blame upon myself, and pouring
out my heart to my friend in the
| strongest language, oyerburdened with
the eXaggerations of impassloned sor-
row. Had been the evil man Mr.
Tilton now represents, ! should have been
calmer and more prudent. II was my horror
| of this evil imputed that filed me with NOR
| bid intensity at the very shadow Of 1t. Not
only was my friend affected, but he assured
me that such expressions If conveyed TO Mr.
| Tilton, would soothe his wounded feelings, al
lay anger and heal the whole trouble. He
took down sentences and fragments Of what
/ had been saying to.use them as a mediator.
A full statement of the circumstances under
which this memorandum was made ] shall
give to the Investigating Committee. That
these apologies were more than ample to meet
the facts of the case is evident, in that they
were accepted that our intercourse resumed
its friendliness; that Mr.. Tilton subsequently
ratified 1t in writing, and that he has con-
tlnued for four years, and until within two
weeks, to live with his wife.
Is i conceivable that If the original charge
had been what is now alleged, he would have
condoned the otfense not only with the
mother Of his chlldreu but with him whom
he believed to have wronged him? The alb
surdity, as well as the falsity, OF this story Is
apparent when 1t is considered that Mr. TIL
tonnow alleges that he carried this guilty
secret OF his wife's infidelity for six months
locked up in his own breast and that he theu
diyu,cred 1t to me only that there might be a
reconciliation with me. Nh. Tilton has since,
IN every form Of language, and to mul-
sitHae of witnesses, orally, In written
slatcments, and in printed documents,
decIafeG hfs faith In his wiies purity
After tbs reconciliation OF Mr.. Iilton WIN
me every consideration OF propriety and
honor demanded that the family trouble
should be kept in that seelusion which do
nestle affairs have a right tO claim as a
sanctuary, and TO that secInsi0n Il was de
termined that 1t should be confined. Every
line and word Of my private ahd eonhden
tial letters which have been published Is II
harmony with the statements which nov
make.
NV published correspondence ON this srl,'
ject comprises but two elements, viz: tin
expression OF my grief, and that OF my dc
sire to shield the honor OF pure and limo
cent woman.
/ do not propose TO analyze and contest a
| this time the extraordinary paper Of Mr.. I'll
| ton; but there are two allegations which
cannot permit to pass without special notice
| They refer 10 the only two incidents which
Mr.. Tlton pretends to have witnessed person
ally, the one an alleged scene IN my nous
while looking over engraVings, ana Ine othe
| A chamber scene In his own house. His state
n,ents concerning these are absolutely false
Nothing Of the kind ever occurred, nor an
semhlanoe Of any such thing. They are nov
Wrought 10 my notice for the first time
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