The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-09-03
THE BEECHER SCANDAL.

II
Second Statement Of Francis ID. Mo,,l-
Moulton, in reply to the statement Of Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, was given to The public on the
2lst 1t is formidable document, comprising
type: The salient portions only are here given.
Mr.. Moulton prefaces his statement with an cx-
planatory card in which he details the circum-
friend Of Mr.. Tilton from hoyhood and had always
entertained for Mr. Beeehcr the warmest
:Saa MI keehtr had Given M Mr. hid
cause of offense, and because he believed the rev.
citation of the scandal would undermine the foun-
dations of social order and blast the prospects
men of this generation he had labored assidu-
Ously to keep it concealed and effect harmoni-
GUS settlement Of all difficulties. This labor had
toaccomplish what was desired, Mr. Bccchcr had
seen fit to visit on him (Moulton) the penalty Of
his own wrong doing, and at the same time de-
would Justify his attack on him..
Mr.. Beecher in his statement had said that he
brought this investigation without Moulton's
what seemed to him the unwisdom Of the pro-
ceedings he had done all he could to avert the
catastrophe. He had denied the united and pub
lie appeals made by both Beecher and TiltOn to
produce the evidence in his possession, but he
had stated that clearly in an emergency he should
speak in defense of his own integrity. If assaulted.
By the published accusation Of Mr.. Bcccher his
own self-respect made it imperative that the
truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth, should be told, and he therefore gave
prepared for the committee, but which, at the
earnest solicitation of the friends of Mr.. Bccchcr,
he had withheld. Its publication was no, in the
interest Of either party: but solely for his own
protection against public accusations which af-
fectcd himself personally. 1le was profoundly
grievcd at the necessity which seemcdto compel
the fact that the disclosure could scarcely work
more harm to Mr. Bcccher at the present time
than it would have caused him in January,
1871. when, but for his interference, the public
would most assuredly have been put in possess
sion of tho whole truth. The statement ~ the
committee here follows: :.
his acquaintance with Mcssrs. Tilton and
Genius says that up to !hc date Of riltS sn!
he had been frequently visitor at Tiltons house,
and had seen himself and Mrs. Tilton under all
phases of social intercourse, but had never
unkindness existing between them, and believed
their marital relations We're almost exceptionally
pleasant.
On the a6th of December Mr. Tilton returning
from an interview with Mr.. Bowen. told him that
Bowen had made certain accusations against
Beecher, and had challenged Tilton to write an
Opcu lcllcF tIlal nc SHOULD cease MS
ministry at Plymouth Church, which Bowen was to
deliver. He told Bowen that he believed his accu-
sations against Bcecher because he had made i'm.
proper advances to Mrs. Tilton. He uftcrward
learned from Mr.. Beecher that Bowen had deliv-
cred to him the open letter referred to. In day
or two after Mr. TiltOn informed him that when
Beecher he came up to the office in great anger
and told him that if he should say to Becchcr
what he Bowen had told him concerning his
the TVHtDPuTfHf and the IUiOD. TiltOn told him
he had never been influenced by threats. and he
would not be in the present case, and subse-
On the evening of the Both of December Tilton
came to him and said that by his wife's request
he had determined to zee Bccchcr, in order to
tercourse between them, which he Crilton) had
never up to that time mentioned to Bcechcr, and
the fact of the confession of which his wife had
her confession had been made in the July pre-
vious iu writing. which writing he (rilton) had
atterward destroyed, but that his wife. fearing
made public the whole matter would be known
and her own conduct with Bcechcr become ex.
posed, had renewed her confession in her own
handwriting. which h: Tilton handed to him !Moul.
tony to read. Tilton wanted him to 90
down and ask Recchcr to come up and see
him Triton at Moult"ns house. He went and
said to Beecher: MIR. Tilt"n wants YOU to come
and see him at my house immediately. He asked
what for. Moulton replied: - He wants to make
some statement to you in reference to your rcla-
tions with his family He then called to some
one in the back room to go down and say that he
should not he at prayrrmreting. and Moulton
and Becchrr went out together. 1t was storming
at the time. when he remarked: There is an APP
pr0priatcnc-s in this storm. and asked Moulton,
What can do: what can ! do He said:
{" Mr. Bccchcr. am not 4 Christian. hut il you
wish, will show you how well heathen can
serve YOU They then went to MoultOn's
over, the parlor, where Mr.. Tilton was,
and left them toscther; In about an hour Mr..
SAID Beecher: This will kill me-" and asked
Mou It. to 50 walk with him. They walked to
said: This il a terrible catastrophe. 1t comes
upon me as if struck by liyhtning.'
Beseher went mt into ,i Iilt1ns house; and Moul.
Beechcr returned, and shortly after left for his
home, Moulton accompanying him. When they
1rv s1and Sy him n0u n he h WANTED
S S1c ne 'i told him he Would because p't the
es of n ao oS nna @
That ended the interview that night. During
this evening nothing was said by Bcccher as to
the truth or talsity Of Mrs. Tilton's confession,
nor did he inform him that he had obtained from
her any recantatiOn of the confession. Mouton
returned to his house and had some conversation
with Titon, in which he told him that he had re-
cited to Beechcr the details Of the confession of
his wife's adultcrics. and the remark which
Beechcr made was: This is all dream, Theo-
dorc." and that was all the answer Beecher made
to him: Moulton then advised Tilton that for tho
sake of his wife and family and for the sake of
Bescher 8 family, the matter should be kept quiet
and hushed up.
and informed him, with great anger, that Beecher
had done mean act; that he had gone from the
interview of the night before to his house and
procured from Elizabeth recantation and re-
traction of her confession. He said for that act
he would "smite him. that ther. could be no
peace; He said: "You see that what have told
you of the meanness Of that man Is now evil
dent Tilton said that Bcech.r, at the inter
go and see Elizabeth, and he told him he
% e seeSher e h%
for that purpose. Moulton said to Til.
ton: Now, don't get angry. let us see if
even this cannot b. arranged: I will 60 down
and get that rctractiOn from him." In the even
ing Moulton visited Beccher. and told him he had
done mean and trcacherous act, trcacherous,
first, toward him. from whom he wanted help, in
the night before what he had procured from Mrs.
Tilton, and that he could not expect his friend
ship in this matter unless he acted truthfully and
Intercourse with Mrs. Ti!ton. You have
done great injury to Tilton otherwise.
permission Of the man to again visit his house,
and you get from that woman who has confessed
that you have ruined her a recantation Of the
save you" At that Interview Beecher admitted
with grief and sorrow the fact of his sexual rela-
tons with Mrs.. Tilton He said that Mrs.
confession Of Mrs. Tilton to her husband,
toward Mrs. rilton, and ,aki5g active interest
come for it" "Weli'' said he, What shall do
wit it:" He replied: .! don't know; can't
What wiz! You do give G Il you Moaiton
answered.: Il will keep it a. Keep the confess