The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-08-21
HENRY WARD BEECHER'S STATE.
MERT.

lie, on the 22d of July last, gave
explicit, comprehensive, solemn de-
NAL to the charges made by Theo-
dore Tilton against me; that denial
l now repeat and affirm. ] also
stated in that communication that |
would appear before your Committee
with more detailed statement and
explanation of the facts in the case
-Four years ago Theodore Tilton fell
from one of the most prominent edi-
torial positions in America, where he
represented the cause Of religion, hui
manity and patriotism, and in few
months became an associate and rep,
resentative of Victoria Woodruff,
and friend to her strange cause.
By his follies he became q bankrupt
in reputation, in occupation and in
resources The interior history OF
} which / am row to give q brief out
I line is u history of his attempts to so
employ me us to reinstate him IN
business, to restore his reputation,
and place him again upon the emil
nence from which he had fallen. 1t
is q sad history, to the full meaning
} of which I have but recently awak'
: ened. His self f-confessed.failure has
made-clear to me what for o long
time did not suspect. My narra-
: ton does not represent q single
standpoint only as regards my opin-
ion of Tilton. 1t begins at my cor
, dial intimacy with him in his earlier
5 career; shows my lamentation and
{ sorrowful but hopeful affection for
him during the period of his initial
wanderings from truth and virtue.
+ It describes my repentance over evils
r Detailing him, of which l was made
to believe myself the cause; my per-
| severing and friendly efforts to save
< him and his family by any sacrifice
9 of myself not absolutely dishonora-
? BILE, and my growing conviction that
his perpetual follies and blunders
. rendered his recovery impossible. L
I now see that he is and has been from
s the beginning of this difficulty, a sell
p fish and reckless schemer, pursuing
a plan of mingled good and hatred,
p and weaving about me network Of
;, suspicious, MISUNDERSTANDING, plots,
e and lies, to which my own innocent
y words and ac!s, nay, even my
d thoughts of kindness toward him,
e have been made to contribute. 1t is
n plain to me that until Tilton fell into
II disgrace and lost his salary he never
thought it necessary to assNil me,
l The charge that he pretended to
y have had in his mind for six months,
n of an alleged domestic offense, was
D. quickly and easily put aside, but yet
1t il was to keep my feelings stirred up
1t that might, through my friends, be
le used to extract for Mr.. BowenS7 ,OOC
y the amount claimed in this dispute
et He circulated certain old ISLANDERS
rs about me, but when he thought he
ly was on the road to success his con
0r duct toward me was friendly, and
Is could afford to laugh at his assump
re ton of superiority since retained
as the profound impression made upor
me as explained in the following
Id narrative. At almost every step
m fell into new complications and diff
es culties. Tilton ever tried to ooerc'
IL, my honor and conscience for procur
th ing his extrication at my expense
re he knew me well enough to work OF
-e, the sympathetic side of my nature
)w to which he addressed himself TO
lir four years, using unscrupulously m,
til attachment to friends and to hi
Iot household and to himself. No
n blind to his faults, but resolved T.
Iot look on him as favorably and hope
IS. fully as possible, and ignorant OF hi
ed deeper malice, | labored earnestly
ee even desperately, for his salvatio
st, for four years. I have been tryin
en- to feed his Unsuitable egotism to max
the man as great as he conceive
oh himself to be, Moulton came frs
tly as school-mate and friend of Tiltor
lg- who would serve him without wrong
he ing any one, He said he saw clearl
- how this was to be done, so as to II
D a store peace and harmony to Tilton
ed home and happily end all misundet
he standings. l never doubted h
he friendship for me. Whatever b
it. wished mo to do l did, unless
re- seemed wrong. My confidence
vas him was my only security in this col
-he fusion of tormenting perplexiti'
during this troublous time. l fe
~ that secret Vaccinations were goin
ses on against me, and the vilest slal
ich ders concerning mo were in circuli
-ho ton. When some Of my dear rel
Der tions were set against me and tt
the tatle of a crowd OF malicious womel
hostile to me on other grounds, WI
LODI borne to my ears, when l had 10
n the last remnant Of hope for hin
,oi when heard with unspeakable +
,ad morse that everything Ihad done ha
Iii made matters worse, that all a
bv tempts to avert public trial on
ble brought scandal on me, and his u
an happy wife was, under his dictatio
nv signing papers and recantations, al
~ ,yo destruction from which | had trir
all to save his family was poured
other families, that the Church OF
community believed me buried u
.IoT dor heaps of rubbish, from Whit
u only my professed friend could @
noi tricate me. Believing that he cou
.oal ,, do SO, l maintained the silence
.ne enioined, until Tilton's attemE
en- through Frank Carpenter, to raj
Wa money from my friends by open
assailing me in letter to DR.. Baco
old Thereupon / called for an investig
and ton. For the delay in publishil
.au, details l am not responsible. a
spi- the harm / so dreaded, and ha
mi striyen to avoid, has come to pas
ays The time has, however, arriy'
her whom 7 can sneak in yindication