Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-23
BEECRER'S STATEMENT.
He Defends Mrs. TiIton's ResutatiC

He Defends Hrs. I1itOn'S Reputation.
This evening several Of the deacons Of
Plymouth Church. and Mr.. Sherman, Mr.,
Ross and Gen. WOlly. met at Mr. Beecher's
residence, and afteTa council of about three
hours, drew up the following statement of
Air. Beecher for publications:
do not propose at this time detailed
examination Of tie remarkable statement
of TheO. TiltOn, made before the commit
tee, and which appeared in print July 81,
1874. l recognize the mary reasons which
make il of tranScendent importance TO ny
self, the church, and the cause of public
morality, that l shall give full answer
to the charges against me. But having re-
quested the Committee on Investigation to
search this matter to the bottom, it is to
them must look for ny vindicatiOn. But
| can't DELAY for an hour 10 defend the rep
utatiOn of Mrs. Elizabeth L. TiltOn, upon
whose name in connection with mine, her
husband has attempted to pour shame. One
less deserving such disgrace | never knew.
From childhood size has been under my
eve, and since reaching womanhOod she
had my sincere admiration and affection,
and cherish for her pure feeling, such As
a gentleman might honoIabiy offer to
Christian woman, and which she might re-
scruple | reject with Indignation every
inputation which reflects on her honor
or my own. My regard for Mrs.
TiIton was perfectly well known to my
family. When serious difficulties sprang
mp in her household, it was to my wife she
resorted for counsel, and both of us. acting
from sympathy, and, as il subsequently ap-
peared, without full knowledge, gave un-
advised counsel which tended TO harm.
have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton found that
his wife's confidence and reliance on my
Judgment had greatly increased, while
his influence had diminished in
consequence of a marked change in
his religious and social views, which were
taking place during those years. Her mind
was greatly exercised lest her children
should be harmed by views which she
deemed virtually false and dangerous.
was suddenly advised as to the reality OF
the impending danger by disclosure of do
nestle distress, of sickness perhaps unto
death, of a likelihood of the separation and
scattering of a family, every member Of
which had tenderly loved. The effect lpOn
me of the discovery ofthe state of Mr.. Til
tons feelings, and the condition of his
family, surpassed in sorrow aud excitement
ANYTHING had ever experienced in my life.
That my presence. influence and counsel
had brought TO a beloved family sorrow and
alienation, gave, in 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 priyi-
Ieges of a sacred relation, an indecorun to a
wIfeand IN ,thcr. cOuidnOt but deeply wound
one who is sensitive to the honor Of woman
hood. There were peculiar reasons for
alarm I'm this case, rs l was then subject To
certain malignant rIn;urS, and a firgrant
outbreak in this family would bring upon
them an added injury derived from these
shameless falsehoods. Believing at the
time thai my presence and counsels had
tended, however uncOnsciOusly, 10 produce
a social catastrophe aS imminent, | gave
expression 10 my feeiinsS in an interview
with a mutual friend not in cold aud Cau-
tious self-defeniing words, but eagerly tax