The Grange advance., 1874-09-02

ton came again, and at this interview
Moulton made the memorandum Of de.
tached expressions bv Mr.. Beecher,
which the latter was prevailed upon to
indorse for showing to Tilton, by writ.
ing on the paper that he entrusted it to
Moulton in confidence. The extraord-
mary trust reposed in Mr.. Moulton
then and thenceforward is deprecated
by the committee, who regret that on
his second visit, when he came to .ob.
tain Mrs. Tlton's retraction of her al
legged confession and exhibited pistol,
he was not handed over to the police
and the affair there ended.
1t is shown by the committee that
the charge of adultery, denied by both
Bcecher and Mrs. Tilton, rests upon the
unsupported statements of Tilton and
Moulton that this crime was confessed
to them. Yet the conduct Of the par.
ties and the constant and repeated as
ertions Of Tilton and Moulton through
the years following, as shown by indis-
putable evidence, show that the greater
charge has been developed from the les.
ser by the conspirators; while nowhere
does Mr.. Beecher in the voluminous
quotations from his references to the
trouble, say one word which is not ex.
plainable by the early charges and his
regrets at having had part, as he sup.
posed, in bringing both poverty and dis
sensions upon the Tilton family. This
view-that the charge was not adultery
and that neither Of the parties had
ever confessed such crime
r. is sustained by ,Moulton's
writing to Beecher June lst, 1873,
saying: "If the truth must be spoken
let it be. l know you can stand if the
whole case was published tomorrow"
And again: ''You can stand if the
whole case was published Tomorrow
The argument Of the committee is
continued at great length-showing the
influences operating upon Mr.. Beecher,
and his deception by Moulton; that
Tilton's evidence as to the happiness of
his home and his own faithfulness to it
are contradicted by overwhelming evi-
dence; that Mrs. Tilton has been his
plastic victim, compelled to do his bid
ding, even to the extent of sustaining
the scandals against Mr.. Beecher; that
now she is free from his control, she
joyfully tells the truth; that her denial
of the scandal is sustained by
Mrs. Morse, her mother, who
pronounces false the assertion
by Tilton that her daughter confessed
to her; that medical testimony sustains
Mrs. Tilton:s theory Of the control her
husband had over her; that her Catha-
rine Gaunt letter of June %, 1871, a
year after the pretended confession, re.
fers only to the wifc's error of undue
affection for her pastor; that Tilton's
former good reputation was completely
sunk when he publicly endorsed Victo.
ria Woodruff; and that Mr.. Beecher,
who has been living before his people
life of Christian usefulness and inces-
SAINT Work, has shown to none, not even
those most intimate with him, nothing
but what comes of purity Of soul.
The conclusions of the committee are
stated as follows:
First-We find from the evidence
that Rev. Henry Ward Beecher did
not commit adultery with Mrs. Eliza.
beth R. Tilton, either at the time or
times or place or places set forth ia the
third and fourth subdivisions of Mr..
Tilton's statement, nor at any other
time or place whatever.
Second-We find from the evidence
that Mr.. Bcecher has never committed
any unchaste or improper act with Mrs.
Tilton, nor made any unchast1 or i'm.
proper remark, profer, or solicitation
to her, of any kind or description what
ever.
Third-If this were question of
errors of judgment on the part of Mr..
Beecher, it would be easy to criticise,
especially in the light of recent events.
In such criticism, even to the extent of
regrets and censure. we are sure no
man would join more sincerely than
Mr.. Beccher himself. 3
Fourth-We find nothing whatever
in the evidence that should impair the
perfect confidence of Plymouth Church,
or the world, in the Christian character
and integrity of Henry Ward Beccher.
And now, let the peace Of God, that
passeth all understanding, rest and
abide with Plymouth Church, and the
beloved and eminent pastor, so much
and so long afflicted.