Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-29

| srd Ienitenee. DIR. Corey, who Is eminent
sra has had large experience in mental dis
eases and phenomena. Gays such conduct on tia
part OF Mrs. 7ton when subjected 20 the influ-
spces referred to lie even consistent with an
We observe that Mouitcn parades q letter
purTorting TO have been written by Mrs. Tilton
to bin, In which she says she Is "a perfect
a physical impcssibility for me 20 tell the
Truth" Another letter. same 10 same, she saws,
with all my ~omsns soul Avn innocent OF
the crime of impure conduct alleged against
me"
In her statement. procured under the diree-
ton OF Triton and Carpenter. OF December 10,
1872, and which WAS taken by them 70 Dr. StOrrs,
MS. Tilton shows that che was made TO believe
thst conspiracy Was formed against her hus-
band. Her words are :-' Six months sitter
wards, that is after July 3. $50, my husband
ielt impelled, by the circumstances OF n con-
sEiIacy against him, In which Mrs. Beecher hsd
part, 10 have an interview with Mr.. Beecher."
] hiss refers TO the interview of TiltOn with Nr.
Beecher, procured by Noultou on the evening
OF December so. $50, when Tlt0n pro iuced 4
written charge, in two lines, in the Handwriting
of Mis- Tilton. IL will be seen il WAS under the
Influence OF startling statements of conspiracy
against her husband that Mrs. Tilton was novel
10 srpesr 20 act on the occasion. We find her
suhst qDently In letter asking Mr.. Beecher'-
forgiveness tor the suffering she h ad caused him
A GENEkAL REyIEw.
After reversing further the testimony, the
makes so bold a face? We NAV learn from the
testimony, as wall as by common report. with
out desce nding 20 particulars or personalities,
that Theodore Tilton has, in recent years, be-
come very different man from what he was
for meTly reputed TO be. He will hardly denv
that both before and after his espOusAl OF the
new marital philosophy, signs OF deg nsracy
were setting in, which have IN AIDE hIm A dis
credited man in this community. Ia the new
role, his elimination and downfall are we'll
stated in recent words by an able writer, who,
in sketching his career, says, a at in process of
time he comes before the world g. the eniorser
OF Victoria Woodruff, and lends his name 20 a
.hx-0 har xuhS ,k H.
mans reputation anywhere for common sense
Such book is tomb from which no author
rises again Such Is the accuser. Who Is the
accused? IL IL Henry Ward Beecher, the pas
tor OF Plymouth Church, who has been a cler-
gyman with the harness on for forty years.
Twenty seven of these years he has been here
IN this church, which, rs 81 the world knows,
has so often been stirred to good deeds and 10 n
better life by his ministrations. This man has
been living In the clear light OF roondsy before
his people, and before all men, a life OF great
Christian usefulness and incessant work. None
have known hin. but TO admire and love
him. They who have been most intimate with
him at home and abroad report nothing OF his
life or conversation bat what comes of the sOnl
We are asked by Theodore Tilton, aud his cosd.
jutor MOulton, TO believe that this man, with
his long and useful life, and high character to
sustain him, IL unworthy OF our confidence, re-
gard or respect. Christian character and great
services, which are usually considered a tower
OF strength and defence when one is sSssied,
are TO 60 for naught, according TO Mr.. TiltOn.
We are invited 10 give up this good name and
lhne INTO the vortex OF moral destruction. We
are TO do this upon what? Upon some absurd
and contradictory assertions of Tit0n, who, in
sll this work, does not disguise his malice and
revengeful design. No tribunal administering
justice ever held q charge OF adultery proved
by mere alleged words. written or spoken, that
are denied and not connected with circum-
stances and appearances pointing Enthusiastically
10 the guilt OF the accused. Upon a review of
ali the evidence made, with an earnest desire 60
find tie truth and to advise what truth and
justice shall require, feel bound 70 state that,
Judgment. 1yfdQnPa IN hv IA
sccuser utterly fails TO sustain the charges.
STATEMENT OF CONCLUSIONS.
First. We find from the evidence that the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher did not commit
| adultery with Mrs. Elizabeth r. TiIton, either
at the time or times, place OF places set forth ia
the third and fourth subdivisions OF Mr. TIL
tons statement, nor at any other time or place
whatever.
Second. We find from the evidence that MI
/ BeeCher has never committed any unchaste or
| improper act with Mrs. Triton, nor made any
uhchaste or improper remark, prefer, or sOlicl-
tation to her OF any kind or description what
Il ever.
Third. If this were a question of errors OF
| judgment on the part OF MIR. Beecher, II would
oe easily to criticize, especially in the light OF
l recent events. In such criticism, even 10 the
| extent OF regrets and censure, we are sure no
| man would join more sincerely than Mr..
l Beecber himself.
Fourth. We find nothing whatever in the
| evidence that should impair the perfect cOnd-
dFrce Of Plymouth Church or the world in the
/ Christian character and integrity of Henry
Il NdfO BefCEer, SIO now let the pe2ce OF God,
| ;bHt asseth eli VI derstanding rest and abide
| with PlJ mouth Church and her beloved and
| eminent aston, SC much and so long afflicted.
(SifDed)-Henry W. Sage, Augustus Stcrrs
| Penny NJ. Cleveland, Horace d. Claim, John
| Nrnsiow, ). V. White, Committee OF Investigs-
l tirH.
Brooklyn, August p, 1874.
| a Lively Time I'm Plymouth Church.
TEE REPORT OF JBR COMMITTEE. ADOPTED
MUULToN CALLS RAYMOND LIAR.
L plXmcufh church dPusply crOyV,iad las
| night. After Introductory religious exercise
the business meeting was opened, with AIr. Jas.
/ FreelsDd chairman. The members of the
| vestigatIng committee were invited TO come on
| the platform, and were received with cheers.
| The report OF the investigating committee was
| then submitted by the examining committee,
/ with their approval and endorsement, without
| one dissenting voice. In the brief report the
/ eNaminiI committee say:
We find nothing in the evidence to justify the
least suspicion of our pastors integrity and pu-
rity, and everything to justify and demand, on
| the part of the Plymouth church and society,
| greater degree Of confidence aud affection to-
ward its pastor, if possible, than il has ever vet
felt toward him. 1t is not the Office OF this COM
/ mittee TO review his errors of judgment in man
! sgipg complex trouble, and struggling against
The most infamous conspiracy known TO the
present age. IL Is for us TO consider what moral
| culpabllity, IL any, is deyolyed upon his part,
snd of this we find no proof, although, under
delusion srtfully brought about by his enemies,
our pastor was, for long time, made to believe
himself in fault.
REVOLUTIONS OF CONFIDENCE IN MR. BEECHER.
The committee, in conclusion, recommend
| the adoption by the church Of the following
resolutions:
Resolred, That the evidence laid before the
examining committee not only does not furnish
| any foundation for putting the pastor of this
church, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, upon
| trial, but, on the contrary, establishes to the
perfect satisfaction Of the church his entire in
noceDce and absolute personal purity with re-
spect to all charges now or hereafter made
against him by Theodore Tilton.
Resolved, That our confidence and love for our
pastor, 20 far from being diminished, height
ened and deepened by the unmerted su aerings
which he has 70 long borne, and that we well
come him with sympathy more tender and trust
more unbounded than we ever felt before to his
labors among ms, to our church, our families,
our homes, and our hearts.
The report Of the investigating committee
| was read by Professor Raymond. During the
reading Of the report frequent Interruptions
were caused by applause, which followed GER
tain passages sustaining Beecher, and outbursts
OF laughter were drawn out by any illusions 70
Moult0n and his participation In the matter.
The concluding portion of the report aud the
| summing Of the committee were received with
| waving of bandkerchiefs, hats, &C., and the
applause which greeted It's ending was almost
deafeEiDg.