New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-19
ME-. BOWEN SPEAKS.
TIE INDEPENDENT on MR. BEECHER AND Mr.. TIL
TON--A GUARDED INCLINATION TO MR. BEECH
ERs SIDE.
FROM TT. IHi'p nfcni Of Aug. 2N

TIE INDEPENDENT on MR.. BEECIiER AND MR.. TIL
TON-A GUARDED INCLINATION TO Mr. BEECh-
In from ne Indpnfcni Of aug. 90
A year and ten months have passed, none
too quickly who has now left the country Tor
her country good gathered and stirred up very cess
pool OF fifth tried TO scatter and spatter II over
shrinking aud hurrled public Her Journal nj CONDUIT
far sucb sewerage was for some only recepta
Gle but before long it overturned through Kindred
channels. poisoning the air and injecting the whole
community II has been grievous and horrible thing
not merely besmearug those on whom or Dy whom u
was cast, innocent aud some guilty, but IL mas
corrpted the sweet air of heaven touched even inno
cepce aud purity with the faint OF decay ana spread
sckeUlug m1sn, tiOn whose naUrId uellAeI I'LL uoi
We have used best endeavor to restrain the food
OF scandal For over a year and a-hlf We refused TO
mention its existence, except IN so lar as II was necs
sary referred TO incidentally In Tue reports OI the
Brooklyn Council. The proprietor OF TINS paper, az
though snameessy mali gned before the public in the
early months OF the scandal waited patiently knowing
that time would surely set Iiln right as IL mas anu
neither By word OF LOuth by either OF the papers
which he then controlled has he allowed WORD 20 es-
cape him which could add one breath to the scandal Az
last who determined u drag his name DeOre
the puUliC were compelled 70 invent an interview
which never held. and put forged words into MS
mouth, when were never spoheh' oIy slloe tno pt
ent Investigation has been prosecuted nave we once III
two weeks In editorial uote Drieny cnroneieu Tue
leading features OF the case.
We speak al a Little greater length now only because
the case appears to be nearly closed Tue prosecu
has presented his Indictment the accused has made his
defense and the cnlef evidence Is before not merely
Mr. Beechers Committee, bu. that larger committee OF
the whole which real jury in the Something
more may vet be known. Mr.. flton and Mr.. Moulton
may other statements To make and documents TO
exhibit; but it So they will be met these have
been. Mr.. Tten presented his most damaging eyi-
dence probably. when be published his Wife, signed
confession and Mr.. BeecLer's apology. He has, very
likely numerous other confessions. perhaps even more
gross which the poor may have put her name
but they Will be explained IN precisely the same way as
those which have been published. Not much further
light seems likely 10 be thrown upon the case.
II wonder. when the greatest preacher Of the
was charged not only WITH filthy life, but with the
hvp6arisy and meaDness which the story involved that
the pubhG at urs refused to believe They had known
l..
patriotism philanthropy aid gegion, aud they would
not ana could not think him v;;laLu and hoertine
come from his ps did they begin 10 ask themselves
could For the scandal kept well stirred up
to the chief accuser shown dozens
OF people, talked OF by body and hnay III sub
TIitons acknow led gment that she had been i'm
properly approached by her pastor was public property
When Nj. Beecher first opened his lips IL was not To
brand false against hun, but To excuse
the author OF them When at last denial was forced
from him, IL was almost too late and received less
credence than could have been wished Had It then
been followed up by prosecution lor aoe, OF
other measures which showed that the defense
earnest, It might have been otherwise; put sueh
WAS Mr.. Beecher's course. HIS church opened
new and easy door Of escape for Mr. Tlton The man
who. everybody knew. had long been asserting ana
tempted the seduction OF his wife. who believed
have reported those grosser charges which ne mas
since made before the Comnittee-tnIs man Iaceu Sir
Beecher before his church, dared hun 20 make
charges OF Islander against hun. and heard MI Beeeher
that, with all this evidence against him ana MS own
action appearing to support It, Mr. Beecher Drei woru
hardly sufficient 10 quei the shvering rear that the
scandal might be true. Then followed the Brooklyn
Council. meeting which 1T was Impossible 70 aVoid,
rendered absolutely by the action OF
reference To Mr. Tlton, and when mas oeen
unreasonaby yilied, the men " no called "
hal interest 10 conserve the good name anu goou
order of the churches and were actuateu only ~
mean jealousy of the commanding fame OF brother
preacher and desire 10 give currency 10 scandal,
which, in fact. they took pains not to consider
But the efforts OF MT Beecher of Plynoa.n % .,
10 bury the scandal were OF 40 avail At last Mr. Tton
published over his name. letter charging Mr..
Beecher with having committed . grievous wrong
against him. and in proof presented the text OF MI
Beechers humble apology. Mr. Beecner coula heep 81
lence longer. lie selected ak gentlemen known 70
the public and members OF his church or society ana
asked them TO make the fullest lnyesteaton OF all
charges against aim. They begun by ealing IheOuoro
Tton. who put into repulsve FORM tnan ever COS
sip had ready 10 believe MS lndict meht against Mi
Beecher, and supported 1t 10y feaifu array Oh docu-
mentary evidence Ever since then the press mas deem
filed with repusive deas u the exclusion or almost
every lhllx ese. 49, Bses.er All Ma IltoA HsIe u