The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-09-05
The Beecher- luton Affair.

Weapologize for referring to this subject. We
do it because we feel compelled by duty to
society-for every good name and fair reputa-
ton stands in jeopardy if they can be destroyed
or furnished by such allegatons-for there is no
proof-as those upon which portion Of the
community and press are condemning Mr..
Beecher. The charges are of very grave
character. To justify the community or the
press in giving credence to them, they should
be established by unquestioned proof. This is
not furnished toany unbiased mind. We do not
believe that any tloelUe unbiased persons would
do otherwise than render verdict of aquittal
on the statements before the committee.
There are but two witnesses-Tilton and
Moulton. Neither of them are worthy of be-
lief. Any man who will voluntarily make a
statement in writing concerning his family
such as Tilton made to the committee of Ply
mouth church and then surreptitiously secure
its publication before the committee receives it
is destitute of the feintest spark of moral man
hood, if sane. The man that admits that he al
lowed Mr.. Beecher the intimate freedom of his
house six months after he knew Mr.. Beecher's
offense against his family, thereby declares his
statement entitled to no credit. Any man
would have shot or cowhided Mr.. Beecher.-
And if the collision had not proved fatal he
would never again been allowed to cross his
threshold. We can entertain no respect for
Tilton's statement without feeling our own deg
radiation. Moulton's statement is entitled to
no more credence. He volunteers to be peace
maker and preserve friendly relations between
his friend Tilton and the man he believes has
| destroyed the peace of his friends household
| We can conceive of no lower Office. His de.
pravity is degree lower than Tilton's. Here
ceived 81 900 from Mr.. Beecher ard account!
for only $3.50. He undertakes to be the FRIEND
of both. He furnishes Ti lten with all necessa
ment and refuses the same to Mr.. Beecher fo
his reply. Moulton's threatening attitude wa
assumed to secure more blackmail for himself
He destroys every little of force in his Statement
when he says to Mr.. Beecher, "yom can stand i
the aOholc case aoas to be published tomorrow"
Mr.. Beecher's letters are fully, consistently
and, to us, satisfactorily explained in his state
ment. He made grave mistake in advising
Mrs. Tilton to leave her husband. He felt anC
feels this. He was made to believe that he wa
responsible for Tilton's financial misfortunes be
cause he advised his dismissal from the Inde
pendent. He was willing to atone for the frs
and assist in repairing the latter. The last ex
plains the money paid. Both mainly explain
the remorseful letters. Any innocent maj
would be willing to do any reasonable thing tt
prevent the publication of such charges agains
himself-that promised to be successful Pub
lish such charges to- morrow about any man anc
you will find somebody to believe them. NJ
mans reputation is worth farthng if it car
be furnished by such statements. Mr.. Beeche
has had more than forty years. Of exemplary
public life. Let these not be swept away lightly
The entire community is interested in seeing
that no injustice is done the man whose gull
| is not established. Mr.. Beecher has been
farce that has been felt. Let us be cautious les
we condemn him because of our unconsciou
bias against him.