The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-08-20
STATEMENT OF MIR. MoULToN.

GENTLEMEN OF THE CoMMITTEE.-When 7
was iast before you stated that I would,
at your request, produce such documents
as had, and make such statement of facts
as had come to my knowledge on the subject
OF your inquiry. fully intended so to do,
aud have prepared my statement of facts as
sustained by the documents, and made an
exhlpltlon ofall the papers that have come
IN any way into my possession bearing on
the controversy between the parties. That
statement must, or course, bear with more
or less force upon one or the other of them,
On mature reflection, aide by the advice of
my most valued friends. have reconsidered
that determination, and am obliged to say to
you that feel compelled, from sense of
duty to the parties, to my relation to their
controversy, and to myself, neither to make
the statement nor to produce the documents
when first became party to the unhappy
controversy between Messrs. Beecher and
Tilton had no personal knowledge nor
any document in MY possession which could
affect either. Everything that know of
fact, or have received of papers, has come TO
me in the most sacred confidence, to be used
for the purpose of composing and settling
all difficulties between them, and preventing
so far as possible, any knowledge of their
private affairs being brought to public notice.
For this purpose all their matters have been
Entrusted to me, and for no other. If I
should now use them, IL would be not for
the purpose of peace and reconciliation,
but to voluntarily take part in controversy
which they have seen fit to renew between
themselves. How faithfully, earnestly, and
honestly have labored to do my duty to
the parties for peace, they both know. The
question forme to settle for myself, and no
other, is now, ought to do anything to aid
either party in renewed controversy by the
use of that which l received ana have used
only to promote harmony On my honol
and conscience, I think I ought not, and
at the risk Of whatever of misconstructo1
and vituperation may come upon me, must
adhere to the dictates of my own judgement
and preserve at least my own self..respect
l call attention again to the fact that yours
is a mere voluntary tribunal, and that what.
ever do here isdone by a voluntary ant
not compelled witness. Whether before an,
tribunal having power to compel the produc
tion of testimony and statement of fact
shall ever produce these papers, or give an,
of these confidential statements, reserve Il
myself to judge of the emergency which
hope may never come against my wish
as never have been in sympathy with
renewal of this conflict. A part Of thes
documents have been given to the public
ms far, confidence in regard to them ha
ceased. 1t is but just, therefore, and du
to the parties, that the whole of those docU
ments, portions of which only have bee
given, shall be put into your hands. In re
spouse to the thrice renewed request of til
committee. / have, therefore, copies OF. them
which produce here and place in the hand
ofthe committee, with the hope and reoues
that, after they have been examined bv then
they may be returned to me. If anv con
troversy shall arise as to the authenticit
of the copies or OF the documents on tina
point, shall hold myself open to speak wit
this exception-except in defense of nv ow
honor and the Uprightness of nv course
in all this unfortunate and unhappy business
the purity and candor OF which + appeal 1
the consciences of both parties to sustain
do not propose, and hope L may never b
called upon hereafter, to speak either q
to the facts or to produce any paper that
haye received from either Of the parties in
(signed) FRANCIS D. MoULToN.