The New York herald., 1874-07-25
Further Light.

roversy closes with the publication of the
statements of Mr.. Beeeher, Mr. and Mrs.
Tilton. Some OF the newspapers demand
statement from Mr.. Moulton. II is under
stood that that gentleman will make none
unless under pressure OF legal process His
position is so peculiar and exceptional, he
has been SO much the friend and counsellor
| OF both parties, that he cannot speak without
violation of confidence. 1t will GER
tainly be a satisfaction to find some
gentleman in this controversy who feels
that he is bound by considerations of this ma
ture. The investigation by the church COM
mittee will soon close. 1t will not be much
more than simple expression OF the opinion
OF halt dozen gentlemen. The real investi-
CATION seems destined to go to the courts.
One plan is that Mr.. Tilton will bring suit
for divorce and suit for damages against
MIR. Beecher. But this is uncertain. 1t is
more probable, as our reporters indicate, that
the legal process will be a criminal indictment
against MIR. Tilton for libel and SANDER
Our judgment is that the controversy has
now assumed such shape that an indictment
Of this kind is unavoidable. Mr. Tilton has
charged upon Mr.. Beecher revolving crime
Mr.. Beecher and Mrs. Tilton have denied this
crime. They should be asked to make this
denial under oath before grand jury, and
MIR. Tilton should be at once called into court
to answer the charge. Public justice and pub
lie morals demand this as due alike to both
parties. If Mr. Tilton has slandered Mr.
Beecher, if he has brought all this misery
and shame upon the Christian world from
malice, envy or revenge, as is charged against
him. then his place is on Blackwelrs Island
along with Tweed For if there is any lite or
protection or wholesome quality in our law,
now is the time to show it. There was never
a clearer duty than what now lies before the
District Attorney and Grand Jury of Kings
county in the immediate Indictment of Mr..
Tilton. If what he has said is true, then the
truth will be known and shame will fall. If
it is untrue, then he should suffer the utmost
penalty of the law.
The time has passed for concealment, SUBJ
terfuge or explanation-nay even tor secret
Investigations by irresponsible church CON-
mittees. Ever since the publication of the
letter of Mr.. Tilton to DR.. Bacon compromise
or peace has been impossibls Mr.. Beecher
could never rest under that letter. That was
the real challenge to war-a challenge that
came from Mr.. Tilton, who, by the way
has acted in this matter with coolness
force and pitiless energy that render the
stories Of his 'insanity' the extreme of abb
surdity. His war upon Mr.. Beecher may be
IaI of ,;,,e
the interest Of humanity it should cease. The
torture which Mr.. Tilton has inflicted upon
his enemy, SO strongly shown in the letters Of
the unfortunate clergyman, should come to
an end. Better that Henry Ward Beecher
should be with the dead, and find that peace
which his soul craved in his touching letters,
than that he should live under the misery which
Mr. Tilton has never ceased to force upon him
since the 1st Of January, 1871. Whatever the
end is let us have the end, more particularly
as Mr.. Tilton in remarkable interview, re-
printed elsewhere from the Brooklyn Argus,
intimates that he 'scould draw sword with
two edges" In other words, as he further
shows he will, if provoked, rake up the
scandals that have been floating about Brook
lyn, and introduce the names of ladies not
yet named ID the case, ladies who now hold
good positions in society, as the alleged
victims of sin and shame.
Upon this there is one plain word to be
said. Mr.. Tilton has told us that this was to
be day of battle and of death. He may
make war upon his own family, upon Mr.
Beecher and his family. and whatever we may
say, there is probably no method of inter-
ference. But if this controversy is to be made
the means Of carrying misery into other
families; if Mr. Tilton is to orandish his "two-
edged sword over the households of those
who have not wronged him, who are
not in this controversy, he enters upon
q course so extraordinary that he becomes an
outlaw and the common enemy of society--a
course that can no more be permitted than we
would permit band Of Sioux with their
scalping knives to range around Brooklyn
Much is due to vindication and the assurance
Of ones good name, and much may be par
doued to a man in anger, in the heat of strife
and at bay before his enemy. But society
also has claims, and the time has come when
it must be protected against the extraordinary
course which Mr. Tilton assures us he stands
ready to pursue.
OLIVER CROMWELL Smalley writes to
the Tribune that there is finally to be statue
to Oliver Cromwell. "The greatest of Eng
lishmen, he says, "or, at any rate, of English
rulers, has not hitherto been much honored
by monuments of any kind in the country he
once delivered from the tyranny of fops and
priests. Nothing is SO rare to find, in public
or private, as a statue or bust, or even en-
graved likeness, of the Protector. I know one
man who has room full, including every OBJ