Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-30
BEECHER'S STATEMENT.

BEECHER'S STATEMENT
On the evening of the 22d several of
| the deacons of Plymouth Church, with
Nj. Sherman, Mr.. Ross and Gen. Tracy,
met at Mr.. Beecher's residence, and after
| council lasting about three hours drew
up the following statement of Mr.
Beechers for publication:
! l do not propose at this time a de-
tailed examination of the remarkable
statement of Theodore Hilton, made be-
fore the Committee of Investigation,
ana which appeared in print July q,
1874 recognize the many reasons which
make 1t of transcendent Importance
10 myself, the church and the
cause OF public morality that l
! shall give a full answer to
the charges against me. But, hav-
ing requested the Committee of In
vestigation to search this matter to the
bottom, 1t is to them that must look for
my yindication. But cannot delay for
an hour to defend the reputation of Mrs.
Elizabeth r. Tilton, upon whose name,
IN connection with mine, her husband
mas attempted to pour shame.
One less deserving of such disgrace |
never knew From childhood she has been
under myeye, and since reaching woman
MOOD she has had my sincere admira-
ton and affection. / cherish for her a
pure feeling, such as a gentleman might
honorably offer to a Christian woman,
and which she might receive and recip-
rocate without moral scruple. | reject
with Indignation every imputation which
reflects upon her honor or my own.
My regard for Mrs. Tilton was per-
tectly well known to my family
When serious difficulties sprang up
IN her household it was to my wife
that she Fesorted for counsel, and both of
US, acting from sympathy, and, as it sub
sequently appeared, without full knowl-
edge, gave unadvised counsel which
tended charm
| have no doubt that Mr. Tilton found
that his Wife's confidence and reliance
upon my judgment had greatly increased,
While his influence had diminished, in
consequence of a marked change in his
religious and social views which was
taking place during those years. Her
mind was greatly exercised lest her
children should be harmed by views
which she declared virtually false and
dangerous. / was suddenly and rudely
| aroused to the reality of impending
danger by a disclosure of domestic dis
treSS; of sickness, perhaps unto death /;
of the likelihood of a separation
and scattering of a family every
member of which | had tenderly
loved. The effect on me of the discovery
of the state of Mr.. Tilton's feeling and
the condition of his family surpassed in
sorrow and excitement anything that |
had ever experienced in my life. That
my presence, influence and counsel had
brought to a beloved family sor-
row and alienation gave, in my
then state Of mind, pOignancy
to my suffering which | hope no
other man may ever feel. Even to be
suspected of having offered, under the
privileges Of peculiarly sacred relation,
an indecorum to wife and mother could
not but deeply wound any one who is
sensitive to the honor Of wOmanhOod.
There were peculiar reasons for alarm
in this case on other grounds, inaSmuch
as | was then subject to certain malignant
rumors, and fragrant outbreak in this
family would bring upon them an added
injury, derived from these shameless
falsehoods. Believing at the time that
my presence and cOunsels had tended,
however uncOnsciOusly, to produce So
cial catastrophe, represented as immi-
nent, | gave expression to my feelings in
an interview with mutual friend not
but eagerly taking blame upon myself
and pouring out my heart to my friend
in the strongest language, overburdened
with the eXaggeratiOns of impassioned
sorrow. Had been the evil man Mr..
| TiltOn now represents, | should have
been calmer and more prudent. 1t was
my horror Of this evil imputed that filed
me with morbid intensity at the very
shadow of it. Not only was my friend
affected, but he assured me that
such expressions, if conveyed to
| Mr.. TiltOn, would soOthe his
wounded feelings, allay anger, and
heal the whole trouble. He took down
sentences and fragments of what | had
been saying, to use them as a mediator
A full statement of the circumstances
under which this memorandum was made
| shall give to the Investigating Com
mittee. That these apologies were more
than ample to meet the facts of the case
IS evident, in that they were accepted ;
that,our intercourse resumed its friend
illness; that Mr. Tilton subsequently
ratified it in writing, and that he has
continued for four years, and until
within two weeks, to live with his wife.
sit conceivable that if the original
charge had been what is now alleged he
would have condoned the otfense not
only with the mother of his children,
but with him whom he believed to have
wronged them? The absurdity, as
well as the falsity, Of this story
is apparent when it is considered
that Mr.. Tilton now alleges that
he carried this guilty secret of his wife
Intldelity for six months locked up III his
own breast, and that then he divulged it
to me only that there might be recon
citation with me. Mr. TiltOn has since,
ID every form of language and to null
tltude of witnesses, orally, in written
statements and in printed documents, de-
clared his faith in his wife's purity. At
ter the reconciliation of Mr.. Tilton with
me every consideration Of propriety and
honor demanded that the family trouble
should be kept in that secluslon which
domestic affairs have a right to claim as
a sanctuary, and to that seclusion it was
| determined that it should be confined
Every line and word of my private and
confidential letters which have been pub
llshed is in harmony with the statements
winch now make.
| My published correspondence on this
! subject comprises but two elements, VIZ:
The expression of my grief and that Of
my desire to shield the honor of pure
and innocent woman.
do not propose to analyze and con-
test at this time the extraordinary paper
OF Mr.. Tilton; but there are two allega-
tlons which [ cannot permit to pass with
out special notice. They refer to the
] n Nv ~.