, 1874-08-27

tained from her any recantation of the
confession, which I afterwards learned
he had. I returned to my house and
had some conversation with Tilton, in
which hs told me had recited to Beech
er the details Of his wife's adultery, and
that the remark which Beecher made
was this, All dream, Theodore and
that that was all the answer Beecher
made to him. I then advised Tilton
that, for the sake of his wife and fami-
ly,and for the sake of Beecher's family,
the matter should be kept quiet and
be hushed up" js
The next morning Moulton learned
from Tilton of Beecher's securing from
Mrs. Tilton. during his interview with
her the night before. the retraction of
her confession. IIlton was furious at
this act of treacherY and declared that
there could be no peace between him
and Beecher. Moulton still counselled
moderation and undertook to get the
retraction from Bsecher.
Moulton went that evening to Beech
or, and. after telling him be had done q
mean. treacherous act, first toward
Moulton himself, from whom he wanted
help, and second toward Tilton, with
whose wife he had criminal intercourse,
and then being permitted by him to
again visit his house, got from the wo-
man he had ruined recantation of the
truth, for his own personal safety, add
ed, "That won't save YOU At that
interview, Moulton says, Beecher ad-
mitted with grief and sorrow the fact of
his criminal relations with Mrs. Tilton.
and expressed some indignation that
she had not told him she had told her
husband, and in consequence of that
fact he had been walking upon the edge
of volcano.
Referring to what he had done in con-
nection with Bowen against Iilton, he
explained to Moulton that he had taken
sides against Tilton in consequence Of
stories against him, especially of one
specified case in which Tilton was ac-
cused of improper relations with Mrs.
Bullard. He then said he would write
letter to Bowen, retracting what he
said against Tilton. Moulton then de-
manded of Beecher the recantation re-
ceived by him from Mrs. Tilton. prom
Using to keep it sacredly if Beecher act
ed honorably. Beecher then gave him
the retraction and Moulton returned
home, where he found Tilton, who e1-
pressed great surprise and qualification
at the success of his mission. Moulton
again appealed to Tilton to settle the
matter peacefully, and the latter express
ed a desire to do so. Subsequently, by
previous arrangement, Moulton went to
Beecher's house. J'tfs
He took me into bis study and then
told me again of his great surprise that
Elizabeth should have made confess
sion of his criminal commerce with her
to her husband. without letting him
know about it, making his destruction
at any moment possible and without
any warning to him."
Letters from members of the Beecher
family, expressing belief in his guilt,
are also given, also letters from Beecher
to them, denying the truth of the scam
dal and asking them to keep silent and
enjoin silence on otkers.
The principal p,atter added to the
terrible story by Moulton is his posi-
tive statement of Beecher's repeated
confessions of guilt to him.
The Times refuses to publish Moul.
tons statement because it throws no
new light on Beecber's case.
The Tribune carefully analyses it to
show that instead of substantiatlng the
accusation it weakens the prosecution
and confirms Beecher's defense.
The World. in scathing article. re-
views Moulton' 8 and Tilton statements,
to show them devoid of honorable in
stincts and to prove them unworthy of
belief when they offer their word against
Beecher's, unsupported by any evidence
showing criminality. "On the contra
ry," the World says, " this statement
shows and Moulton proves the offense
to be what Beecher's statement admit
ted. Moulton has destroyed his own
credibility by talking and acting until
last month constantly with Beecher's
avowals and inconsistently with any
theory of Beecher's guilt.
The Sun says Moulton adds nothing
Of importance to the record and produc-
es nothing equivalent to a confession of
the criminality of Beecher, and his e1.-
planation of the black-mailing feature
is unsatisfactory. His statement will
change nobody's opinion upon the main
question. The best public sentiment
here sympathizes with these views. and
few reputable persons are willing to al
low Beecher's thirty years of honorable
public life and reputation to be clouded
upon the apology for testimony pro-
| duced.
One of the members of the committee
of inquiry told reporter that he was
utterly amazed at the weakness of the
statement. There was absolutelw moth
ing in it-not particle Of evidence
against Beecher. Another telegraphed
to the reporter that Moulton's state-
ment is utterly harmless, and said, "We
are perfectly satisfied with the CASE
The other members of the committee
expressed themselves well pleased with
the statement, as they said it contained
no letters of Mr.. Beecher heretofore un-
published, which had the appearance of
supporting the theory of Mr.. Beecher's
guilt. Shearman said he felt hopored
and happy to be associated with Beech