The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-18
MOULToN's EXPLANATION.

TIoN-THE APPROVED BROOKLYN STYLE OF
CONCEAI.IcG FACTS
NEW YORK, Aug. 13.-Ths Plymouth
Church investigating committee furnishes
the following report of the proceedings on
Monday night and last night:
BROOKLYN, Aug. 10.
The committee met at p. II. All the
members were present. At about D o'clock
Francis ID. Moulton, who was expected at
the opening OF the session. made his appear
ance when, with the consent ofthe commit
tee, he read the following statement, pretac-
ina, il with the remarks: al submit to you
first the invitation signed by your chairman,
Jnly n. 1874: next, the invitation of your
chairman, signed July y, and next the invi-
tatiOn of your chairman, signed August 1, y
laying copies of these invitations on the ia
BILE before him.
STATEMENT OF MoULTON.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: When /
was last before you stated that ! would al
your request produce such documents as 1
had. and make such statement of facts as
had come to my knowledge on the subject
of your inquiry. 1 fully intended so to do
and have prepared my statement of the facts
as sustained by the documents,
and have made an exhibition of all
the papers LnaL nave come IN
any way into my possession bearing on the
controversy between the parties. That
statement must of course bear with more or
less force upon one or the other of them. On
mature reflection, aided by the advice Of my
most valued friends, have reconsidered
that determination, and am obliged to say
to you that feel compelled from sense o.
duty TO the parties, to my relation to their
controversy and myself. neither to make the
statement nor produce the documents.
When first became party to the unhappy
controversy between Beecher and Tilton /
had no personal knowledge or any docu-
ment in nv possession which could affect
either. Everything that knew of the facts
or have received of the papers has come to
me in the most sacred confidence, to be used
Tor the purpose of comparing and settling all
difficulties between them, and of preventing
30 far as possible any knowledge of their
private affairs from being brought to public
notice. For this purpose all these matters
have been intrusted to me, and for none
other. If / should now use them it would
not be for the purpose of peace and recon-
Citation but to voluntarily take part in the
controversy which they have seen fit To re-
new between themselves. How faithfully,
earnestly and honestly have labOred to do
my duty to the parties tor peace, they both
know. The question is for me to settle, for
myself and no other. Now ought to do
anything to aid either in a renewed contro-
versy by the use of that which recsived
and have used only 70 promote harmony?
On my honor and conscience i think
L ought not. At ther isk of whatever of mis-
construction and yItuperation may come
on me, must adhere to the dictates of my
own judgment and preserve my own self
respect. | call attention again to the fact
that yours is
A MERE VOLUNTARY TRIBUNAL,
and whatever L do here is done by a volun-
tary and not compelled witness. Whether
before any tribunal having the power to
compel the production of testimony and
statement of facts, / shall even produce
these papers or give any of these confidential
statements, / reserve to myself to judge of
an emergency which I hope may never
come. Against my wish, as / have never
been in sympathy with a renewal of
this conflict, part of these docu-
ments have been given to .he public.
In so far confidence in regard to them mas
ceased. II is but Just, therefore, and due to
the parties that the whole of those dOcu
ments, portions of which only have been
gwen, shall be put into your hands. In
response to thrice renewed request of the
committee, have, therefore, copies of them
which L produce here and placein the hands
of the committee, with the hope and request
that after they have been examined by them
they may be returned. Ii any controversy
copies or OF the documents on that point
1 shall hold myself open to. speak
With this exception, except in defense of
my own honor and the uprightness of my
course in all this unfortunate and unhappy
business, the purity and candor of which /
appeal to the consciences OF both parties to
sustain, do not propose, and hope NAV
never be called on hereafter to speak either
as to the facts or to produce any paper that
have received from either party involved
herein. FRANCIS ID. MoULToN
The letters viii appear in Mr.. Beecher's
statement with an explanation of each.
CROSS EXAMINATION.
After reading the statement, Moulton was
subjected to brief cross examination. as
follows:
Mr.. Winslow. Mr.. Moulton, the commit
tee desires me to ask you some questions.
Notwithstanding the position you take here
in your written statement, you are well
aware, as you show by the three invitations
which the committee has sent you, that we
are in good faith pursuing an investigation.
You well remember that we were appointed
by the pastor of Plymouth Church, with the
sanction and approval of the examining
committee of that church, to inquire into
all these matters relating to the alleged
grievances of Tilton. The letter of au-
not limited. No restrictions are
put upon US of any kind. We are invited
to examine all the sources of evidence, and
we have looked upon you as one of the prin-
cipal sources of evidence. We have waited
some two or three weeks to get your testi-
mony. / am sure that express the feeling
of the committee when l express a sense of
disappointment at the position you take
or course we know that we are not a court
with compulsory powers. We are, as you
state, mere voluntary tribunal. You can
do exactly as you please. We await your
pleasure. Blu. what desire to know is in
behalf of the committee, whether you have
so deliberately formed this purpose as to
make it beyond recall as things now stand.
Mr.. Moulton. In reply to what you have
sadly and with reference to my appear
ance here so far as you are concerned in this
committee. / call your attention to the
Language Of your invitation. I'VE earnestly