Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-23
BEECHER VERSUS TILrON.
THE OTHER SIDE.


do not propose at this time a detailed exam.
instion of the remarkable statement or Mr..
Theodore Tilton. I recognize the many re ssons
which make IL Of transcendent importance 90
myself, the church and csuse of public morality
that 1 shall give full answer 20 the charges
against me. But having requested the CON
mittee of investigation 70 search this matter %
the bottom, il is 10 them that I must look for
my viDdIcstion. But L cannot delay for an
hour 10 defend the reputation Of Mrs. Eliza
beth X. Tilton, upon whose name, in connec-
ton with mine, her husband has attempted %
pour shame. One less deserving of such dis
grace never knew. From childhood she has
been under my eye, and sihce reaching woman
hood she has had my sincere admiration and
affection. / cherish for her a pure feeling
such IS gentleman might hOnorsbly Offer
TO q Christian woman, aud which she might
receive aud TeciprOcate without moral scruple
L reject with Indignation every imputatiou
which reflects upon her honor or my own.
My regard for Mr.. Tilton was perfectly well
known by my family. When serious difficulties
sprung up in her household IL was 70 my wife
that she resorted for counsel, and both OF US
acting from SYM athy, and as IL subsequently
appeared without full knowledge, gave unai-
yised counsel which tended 20 harm. hayeno
doubt that Mr.. Tilton found that his wife's con-
hdence and reliance upon my judgment hal
greatly increased while his influence had di-
minishes in consequence OF a marked Oh ange in
his religious and social views which were taking
place during those years. Her mind was great
ly exercised lest her children should be harmed
by the views which she deemed virtually false
and dangerous. 1 was suddenly and rudely
aroused TO the reality OF the impending danger
by the disclosure OF domestic distress, OF sick
ness perhaps unto death, of the likelihood OF
separation and scattering of a family, every
me mber of which had tenderly loved.
The effect upon me of the discovery OF the
state of MIR. Tilton's feelings and the condition
OF the family, surpassed in sorrow and excite
ment anything that had ever experienced ia
my life. That my presence, influence and
counsel brought 10 a beloved family sorrow and
alienation, gave, I'm my then state OF mind, a
poignancy TO my suffering which hope no
other man may ever feel. Even to be suspected
Of having offered, under the privileges OF a De-
cUliarly sacred relation, an indecOrUm TO a wife
and mother, could not but deeply wound any
one who is sensitive 10 the honor of woman
hood. There were peculiar reasons for alarm in
this case on other grounds, inasmuch as L was
then subject 10 certain malignant rumors, and
a fragrant outbreak in this family would bring
upon them 81 added injury derived from these
that my presence and counsels had tended
however uDcOnsciously, to produce a social
catastrophe represented as imminent, gave
expression to my feelings in an interview with
a mutual friend, not il cold and cautious self
defending words, but eagerly taking blame
upon myself and pouring out nay heart TO nv
trend IN the strongest language, overb urdesed
with the eNaggeratioDs Of inpassiOned sorrow.
Had been the evil man Mr. Tilton now repre-
sents, i should have been calmer and more pru-
dent. IL was nv horror OF the evil imputed
that filled me with morbid intensity at the very
shadow of il. Not only was my friend affected
generously, but he assured me that such eK-
pressions, If conveyed to Mr.. Titon, would
scothe wounded feeling, allay anger, and heal
the whole trouble. He took Gown sentences and
fragments of what 4 had been saying to use
them IS 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 meat the facts OF the case Is evident in Ia AZ
they were accepted; that our intercourse was re-
snmed 10 friendIiness, that Mr.. TiltOn subse-
queItly ratified II in writing, and that he has
continued for four years, and until within two
weeks, 20 live with his wife.
II il Conceivable, il the original charge had
been what is now alleged, that he would have
condonGd the offence not only with the mother
Of his children, but with him whom he be-
lieved TO have wronged them? The shsurdi,v
IS well a. the falsity Of the charge Is apparent,
when il il CCnsideTtd that MIR. Ti;ron now
allt ges that he carrieC this guilty secret Of hi-
Hife's inndelIty tor 81 months locked up in his
own breast, and that then he diyulged IL to me
only that there might be a reconciliation with
me. Mr.. IIlton has since In every form OF
language, and TO a multitude Of witnesses, orally
and in written staten ents and in printed docu-
ments, declared his faith in his wifc's purity.
After the reconciliation OF Mr.. TiltOn with me.
every consideration OF propriety and honor de-
manded that the family trouble should be kept
in that seciuSiOn which domestic affairs have a
right to claim As a sanctuary, and 10 that seclu-
sion II was determined that 1t should be con-
fined.
Every lire and word OF my private and con-
fdential letters, which have been pu bished, is
in harmony with the statements which now
make. hv published correspondence on this
subject comprises but two elements, viz: the
expression OF my grief, and that of my de-
sire 10 shield the honor @; pure and innocent
woman.
| DO not propose 70 analyze and contest a.
this time the extraordinary paper OF Mr.. Tilton,
but there are two allegations which cannot
permit 10 pas. without special notice. They
refer 10 the only two incidents which Mr..
TiltOn pretends TO have witnessed personally
the one an alleged scene in my house white
looking over engraving, and the other q cham
Der scene in his own house. His state ments CON
corning these are absolutely false. Nothing OF
the kind ever occurred, nor any semblance OF
any such things.
They are now brought TO nv notice for the
first time. To every statement which connects
me dishonorably with Mrs. Elizabeth X. TiltOu,
or which in anywise would impugn the honor and
purity of this beloved Christian woman, give
the most explicit, comprehensive aud solemn
denial. HENRY WARD BEBCHKR.
BROOKLYN, July p. 1874.
THE STATEMENT OF MRS. TLToN
will be made public day, aud il is understood
made against Mr.. Beecher and herself by her
husband. Mr. BeecheT will prepare a more full
and concise reply, TO he submitted to the in
vestgsting committee az az early a date as posi-
BILE.
STATEMENT OF Mr.. BKECHER's COUNSEL.
The y. Y. Times says: sit appears from a
statement made last evening by Mr.. Shearma1,
Mr.. Beechers counsel, that the statement Of
MT. Tilton, as published Is not complete. AS
long ago as February, 1865, and before that
date, Tilton says he knew Mr.. Beecher was en-
deayoriDg TO corrupt his wife. Mrs. TiltOn told
her husband. yet he allowed IL to go on. On
July so, 1870, Mrs. Tilton confessed adultery,
and her husband said nothing until December
%. On that day Tilton himself was called upon
to meet Bowen TO clear himself OF immoral
charges. For six months he kept the secret,
and then spoke to Bowen Of immoral PROPOSE
tons. He and Bowen then turned on Beecher
and Bacon carried q letter TO Beecher asking
him TO resign bis pastorate. A few days after
ward Tilton sent through Moulton 20 make a
complaint to Mr.. Beecher. Mrs. Tilton's first
written confession was made December -, ISL.
Her husband assisted her TO write the document,
and afterward made alterations In 1t himself.
Beecher's so called apology wa. not written by
Beecher, but by Moulton. The last sentence
OF the apology speaks OF Moulton in the third
person, while the note to Moulton Ia addressed
in the frst person. The last sentence in the
original 10 widely separated in space from the
latter portion OF the letter. Through the inter
vention Of Messrs. Moulton and Beecher, Mr..
Tilton desired 10 get back on the Independent
and Union. To effect this purpose he kept
quiet for q year. Then he told wilkinson aud
received 81 900 from Bowen by working on his
fears OF an exposure. Mrs. Tilton declares that
she told her husband, previous to going 20 tee
tify before the committee, that she had been
requested to appear, and determined to do 40 70
shield her pastor from unfounded charges 40
fav sh Ua eoncpruad