Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-19

Mr.. Becchcr's Defence.
Thursday morning the investigating commit
lee went to Mr. Beechers house, and be there
made his statement, which occupied several
hours in its delivery. It is plain, open state
ment, and will be generally accepted as the
truth, and the earnest defence Of an innocent
man, who has been the victim Of the most
conspiracy known 10 history. lie
tells how, four years ago, Theodore Tilton fell
from one Of the proudcst editorial chairs in
America. and became the associate and repre-
sentative of Victoria Woodruff, and the friend
Of her strange cause. BY his folies he was
bankrupt in reputation, in occupation and in
resources. Mr.. Bcecher then describes how he
was employed to reinstall him
Entanglcd In n wilderness Of complications, fol-
lowed, I'll lately false theory and dolusive hope
believing that the friend Moult0nl who assured me
OF his determination and ability to control ne pas
hold, 10 rebuild his fortunes, and 70 vndcatc me,
would 10 equal To that promise. HIS seltconiessed
failure has made clear to me. what for long time
did not suspect, the real motive Of Mr Tilton. MY
narration does not represent single standpoint only
regards my opinion Of Theodore fulton, IL begins
at my cordial intimacy with him in bis earlier career
shows my amentable and sorrowiul, but hopeful,
affection for him during the period Of his initial
waudcriurs from truth and virtue. ii describes my
repentance over evils heiallen him. Of which ! was
made To believe myself the cause my perseyering
and friendly despalrng efforts 20 save him, and bis
family, by any sacrifice Of myself not absolutely ais
honorable and my growing conviction mat ms per
petual lollies and blundcrs rendered his recovery
impossible.
Mr., Bcecher continues
can now see that he g. and has hccn from The be-
ginning difficulty selfish and reckless schemer,
"a uluu % mingled good and UutruI, anu
weaving about me network OF suspicious, misuHdor-
standings, plots and lies to which my own innocent
words and acts nay, even my thoughts OF Kindness
toward him. have been made to contribute.
Moulton was made COMPLIANT on account Of
Mr. Bcecher's many engagements, and because
he was confident that be could successfully set
tie the matter Tilton did not make the charge
in the scandal until he lost his salary, si1
months after he alleges that it came to bis
knowledge, add it was then quickly put aside
that Beocher might be used TO extract 81 ,0OC
out Of Bowen When he fell into new compli
cations he brought coercion to bear on Bcechcr
honor, bis conscience and affections, to procure
extricat1ns Mr. Bccchcr says
During vacations while my family were at my
farm became DO years so familiar with The timilie
OF my friends and theIr children that went 10 On.
out daily, as in my own house. Mr. Tlt0n oici
alluded 20 this, and urged me 90 DO the same az Dol
house, speaking cNtraYagauty ut DIS Wies esteem
for me.
lie adds
When, on the appearance Of tho frs, open attaci
from Mr.. Tltoni immediately without conult.n
Mr. Mouton called COR a thorough Investigation wit
the delay ia the publicity Of the details Of that u
yestigation. Al the harm which have SO l9n
dreaded, and have 90 earnestly strven 10 avoid hn
come 20 pass I could not further prevent 10, wthuu
a full surrender Of honor and truth.
In speaking Of Mrs Tilton, he says
She seemed to me an afectouatc mother devote
wife looking up 20 her husband ~ one far above "a
familiarity, and with entire confidence, chldliko :
| nature and would as soon have mlscouceiyed th
confidence Of the little girls az tho unstudied aucei
which she showed me. Delicate IN health with
| sef-choefful air, she was houndless in her Dmpaih
for those In trouble, and ahored beyond her stfcnst
/ for the poor.
Concerning his visits, lie says
tie sufficient to say that at no inieynep trAea Ct,
took pilc, bsfrssn Ms THfoH and uvtsV dm rHyttif
oocur mAich miqhf not haze oocrsd r psrfsef propri
befrsen brother and sister bsfreen fafhcr and eah
or befreen Of honor AMI ne rs Of his bfsf fcn
nor did anything ever happen which She or sought
conceal from her husband.
He details Tilton's cruelty to his wife, an
the many acts Of his immortality that came
his knowledge and how Mrs Beecher, ndil
nant at Mr., Tilton's cruetics, became int
ested in Mrs Tltons behalf and advised be
to separate from her husband This adyic
after some hesitation, Mr.. Beecher secondo,
Soon after this Moulton summoned linn to b
house, where he had an interview with Iiltoi
and where the latter charged him with actin
for long time in an uniriendly spirit, that
had sought his downfall had spread uiurio,
F rumors about him was using his place and il
fuence to undermine him and advised NJ
Bowen to dismiss him that he had ipjurC
him in his family relations had Joined wit
his mother-in law in producing discord in b
home had advised a separation had alei
ated his wiie's affection from him bad led h'
to love him (Beecher) more than any huma
being had corrupted her moral nature, ar
bad taught her to be insincere, lying aud hy
ocriiical and ended by charging that be hi
made wicked proposals to her lie til,
showed what purported to be a letter fro
Mrs. Tilton admitting her criminal relation
with him Mr.. Beecher says that this can
upon him like thunderbolt, and descrb
J how he went with Moulton to see Mrs Tiltoi
T how he found her weak in mind and body, a.
statement, but denied its truth, and how 81
then wrote out counter statement, explicit
. denying that ho had ever offered or made ar
improper solicitations. Mr.. Beecher was ii
duced to give the paper to Moulton throul
the latter's threats and promises 10 settle d
the matter At thi- juncturo Mr. Beecher sa,
he felt intense remorsc
8 My old fellow worker had been j.spossc.sed Of D.
eminent place and Influence, and bad cuuusclud
III. wife had been long sick and broken In health az
body, ana rs fully believed, had been tho cause
all, by continuing that blind heedlessncss and fren
ship which bad heguiled her heart, and had rous
her husband into a fury Of Jealousy.
lie Acknowledges signing what is called Il
Beecher confession, but did not read Il
paper or hear it read Ia explanation Of b
letter he declares the ollense to have been pc
hitting Mrs. Tlton to fall in love with him
the one hand, and on the other, the advice
based as he thought when the letters we
written, on error-ior separation and in fayl
Of the dismissal Of Tiltou by Bowen. Add,
to this cause of anxiety was subsequently Il
ulNuh hu1b lhNlh hllhuN Itne
the charge Of " improper advances, and ru
him. But Mr.. Beecher denies, by implication
that he ever contemplated suicide, and that b
illusions to expecting and desiring death we
based on symptoms Of apoplexy and paralysi
which be often had, and which had accustom,
him to regard death as an always open doi
through which to escape from his cares at
trouble. Mr.. Beecher adds
The full truth of this history requires that OF
more fact should be told, especially as Mr.. Tiltou
invited IL. Money has been obtained from me In Il
course Of these affairs In considerable sums but d
not at first look upon the suggestions that | shou
contribute TO Mr.. Tilton's wants saYOrlng Of bac
mail. This did not occur to me until had paid pc
haps, 5000. Afterward l contributed at one tin
5000 AMER the money had been paid over In 81 %
bills, TO raise which mortgaged the house live
felt very much dissatisfied with myself about
Finally square demand-a threat-was made 10 n
by my confidential friend. that II 900 more were
paid Ttons charges would be laid before the publ
, This saw at once was backmal la It's bolde
form, and accordingly never paid a cent Of
but challenged and requested the fullest exposur
, But ailer the summer Of 1873 became inwardy "a
lAlled that IiltOn Inherently and ineVtahlV