The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-09-05
THE TLroN.BEEcHER SCANDAL.


Mr.. Beeeher's Statement of the Case
HOW the Great Trouble Originated
A Statement by Mr.. MoultOn, VINO
Tells Nothing.
Mr., Moulton, the "mutual friend OF
Beecher and Tilton. and the repository of the
MANY secrets connected with the great scan
dal, appeared before the Plymouth Churcn
Investigating Committee, on the 10Th, and
made the following statement" which was
giyen to the public, in connection with Mr..
Beecher's statement, on the 18TH:
STATEMENT OF Mr.. MOULToN.
Gentlemen of the Committee: When 1 was last
Qeiore Won stated that would as you request
ed, produce such documents as had, ana MAKE
such statement of facts rs had come to my knoWi-
edge concerning the subject of your inquiry.
fully intended so to do, and have prepared my
statement of facts sustained by documents,
and made an exhibition of all papers that nave
come in any way into my possession 9eafng on
ment must, of course, bear win more OF Ieoe
force upoe one or the other of them. On mature
reflection aided by The advice OF my most
and am Obliged to say to YOU that feel compelled,
from sense of duty to both parties, to my reia-
tions to their controversy, and to myself neltner
to make the statement nor produce the doca-
ments.
When first became a party to the unhappy
controversy between Beecher and Tilton, had
no personal knowledge nor any document in my
possession which could affect either Everything
fbsS know OF the facts, or have received ofShe
papers has come TO me in the most sacred comb
dence, TO be used for the pErpose of composing
and settling all difficulties between them, and OF
preventing, as far rs possible, any knowledge oil
their private affairs being brought to pubic no
tce For this purpose all their matters have been
intrusted to me, and for none other: Ii should
now use them, il would not be for the purpose OF
peace and recon ciiation, but to voluntarily take
part in controversy which they have seen lit to
renew between themselves, How faithfully,
earnestly and honestly / have labored to do my
The ouestion for me to settle for myself, and no
other, is now Ought / to do anything to aid
either pagty In q renewed controversy by the use
of that which have received and have used only
to pronote harmony? On my honor and con-
science think ought not, and at the risk of
whatever of miscanstrucrlon and Vltuperatlon
that may come upon me, must adhere to the die
tates of my own judgment and preserve at least
my own self-respect.
cal attention again 10 the fact that yours Is
mere voluntary tribunal, and whatever do here
is done bs a voluntary and not compelled wit
nETs Whether before any tribunal having power
10 compel production of testimony and state
ment OF fact, shall ever produce these papers
or give any of these confidential statements,
reserve to myself to judge of the emergency,
which hope may never come against my wish,
for never have been in sympathy with renew
al of the conflict. a part of these documents
have been given to the public. In 30 lar Conf
dence in regard to them has ceased. 1t Is but
just therefore, and due TO the parties, that the
Whole OF these documents, portions of which
only have been given, shall be put INTO your
hends. In response to the thrice renewed re-
quest of the committee, have therefore copies
Of them which produce here and place in the
hands Of the committee, with the hope and re-
quest that after they have been examined by
them they may be returned to me- II any con-
troversy shall arise az to authenticity of copies,
Or OF documents on that point, shall hold myself
open TO speak. With this exception-except in
defense OF my own honor and uprightness of my
course in all this unfortunate and unhappy bust
ness, the purity and candor of which appeal to
the conscience OF both parties to sustain, do
not propose, and hope may never be called upon
hereafter, TO speak either as to facts or produce
any papers that have received from either party
involved therein.
(signedI FRANCIS d. MoULToN.
CRoss-EXANINATIoN.
Mr.. Winslow, of the committee, conducted
the cross-examination. He called the atten-
ton of Mr.. Moulton to the fact that the COM
mittee were pursuing the investigation in
good faith; that they were appointed by the
pastor of Plymouth Church, with the sane
ton and approval of the Examining Com
mittee of that Church, to inquire into all
these matters relative to the alleged griev-
ances of Mr. Titon. The letter of authority
that comes to us is not limited. No yestric-
tons are put upon us of any kind. We are
invited to examine all sources of evidence !;
and we have looked upon you as one of the
principal sources ofevidence. We have waited
some two or three weeks to get your testi-
mony, and ana sure express the feeling of
the committee when express a sense of dis
appointment at the position YOU take. OF
course we know that we are not a court with
compulsory power. We are, as you say, q
mere voluntary tribunal. You can do exactly
as you please. We await your pleasure, but
what ( desire to know Is, in behalf of the
committee, whether you have so deliberately
formed this purpose as to make it beyond re-
call. as things now stand?s
Mr.. Moulton-In reply to what YOU have
said, and with reference to my appearance,
here, so far as you are concerned in this COM
mlttee, call your attention to the language
of your own invitation, namely this: Is We
earnestly request that you bring all letters
and documents in your possession which are
referred to by Theodore Tilton in his state
ment before the committee" l comply with
the request of this committee, and produce
copies of letters referred to by Mr.. Tilton. the
authenticity of which l am ready within a
few moments to establish.
On motion of Mr.. Cleveland, it was voted
that Mr.. Winslow be auth rized to 90 with
Mr.. Moulton and examine and verify the doc
uments. After some informal conversation
in regard to the publication of the proceed
ings of the session, Mr.. Moulton retired.
STATEMENT OF HENRY WARD BEECHER.
The great length of this important docu-
ment precludes our giving anything more
Mr.. Beecher first directs the attention of
the committee to his statement of July %,
being as he says, ga comprehensive and
solemn denial to charges made by Theodore
Tilton against me. That denial now repeat
and reaffirm." His detailed statement or mar
rative opens as follows:
-Four years ago Theodore Triton tell IRON one
OF the proudest editorial chairs in America,
where he represented the cause of religion, hui
mainly and prosperity, and in few months
thereafter became the associate and representa-
tive Of Victoria Woodruff and the friend of her
strange cause. By his follies he was bankrupt in
reputation, in occupation and in resources. The
interior history, of which ] am TO give a brief
outline, Is the history of his attempt 10 employ
me as 10 reiHstate him in business, restore his
reputation and place him again upon the emf
hence from which he had fallen. 1t is a sad his
tory, to the full measure of which l have but
recently awakened. Entangied in a wilderness
of complications followed, until lately,
false theory and delusive hope, believing
that the friend who assured me of his de.
termination and ability to control the passionate