The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-24

separation from my husband
The publication OF Mr.. Tilton's letter in answer
to Dr. Bacon had not known nor suspected when
on Wednesday evening he brought home the
Golden Age, handing 1t to me To read. Looking
down its columns saw, well nigh with binding
eyes, that he mad put into execution the almost
daily threat Of his hfe"that he lived to crush out
Mr. Beecher; that the God of battles was with him;
he had always been Mr.. Beechers superior, and
all that lay IN his path-wife, children or reputa-
ton, If need be-shOud fall before this purpose"
did not read 1t. ! saw enough without read
ing. My spirit rose within me as never before.
Theodore" said, "tell me what means this
quotation from Mr.. BeecherS Two years ago you
came me at midnight, saying Elizabeth, all let
tiers and papers concerning my difficulties with Mr.
Beecher and Mr.. Bowen are burned, destroyed;
now don't you betray me, for ] have nothing to
defend myself witn.'n
"Dd you believe that ~ said he
81 certainly did, implicitly" / said.
"Wel, Jet me tell you-they all live; not one is
destroyed"
II this said to intimidate me 1t had quite the
contrary effect. had never been go fearless, nor
seen so clearly before with whom was dealing.
Coming to me little later he said I'll want you
to read it; you will find it vindcation OF yourself.
You have not stood before the community for five
years as you now do"
Reused stin further by the wickedness hid behind
so false mask, replied, Theodore, understand
me, this is the last time you call me publicly to
walk through this filth My character needs no
vindicaton at this late hour from you. There was
q time, had you spoken out clearly, truthfully and
manfully for me- had been grateful; but now
shall speak and act Tor myself. Know also that If
In the future see scrap OF paper referring to any
human being, however remote which II seems to
me you might use or pervert for your own ends,
will destroy it,"
''rhis means battle on your part, tnen'' said he.
'Just so far" replied.
write this because these words OF mine he has
since used TO my harm.
The next morning went to my brother and told
him tnat now had decided to act In this matter /;
that had been treated by my husband as a nom
entity from the beginning, play thing, to be used
or let alone at will; that 1t had always seemed to
me was party not little concerned. then
showed him card had made for publication.
He respected the motive but still advised silence
on my part. / yielded to him thus far as to ap-
| pearng in the public prints; but counsening with
| myself and no other, it occurred to me that among
the brethren Of my own communion might be
| heard
Not Knowing OF any church committee asked
the privilege of such interview in the parlOrs OF
| those who had always been mutual friends
Mr.. and Mrs. OvingtOn then learned, for the first
| time, that the committee woult meet that night,
and advised me to see those gentlemen as perhaps
the goodrest persons could select. This accord
ingly did
There alone, ] pleaded the cause of my husband
were moved in sympathy Tor my family-a feeling
! their pastor had shared for years, and for which
| he was now suffering.
| On going home | found my husband reading in
! bed. told him where had been, and that did
not conceal anything from him, as his habit was
from me- He asked who the gentlemen were {;
! said no more; rose, dressed himself, and babe me
! gOOdby forever.
The midnight following was awakened by my
husband standing by my bed. In very tender,
kind voice, he said he wished to see me. rose In
stantly, followed him into his room, and sitting on
the bedside. he drew me into his lap said she was
proud OF me, loved me; that nothing ever gave
him such real peace and satisfaction AS TO hear me
well spoken OF; that, meeting member OF the
committee he had learned that he had been mis-
taken as to my motive in seeing the committee,
and had fastened to assure me that he had been
thoroughly wretched since his rash treatment OF
me the night BEFORE" &C.
Then and there we covenanted sacredly our
hearts and lives-I most utterly-renewing my
trust in the one human heart loved
The next day how happy We werel Theodore
wrote statement to present TO the committee
when they snould call upon him, to all OF which
heartily acceded. This document, God knows. was
true history of this AFFAIR, completely vindicatng
my honor and the honor Of my pastor. In the
afternoon he left me to show it to his friends.
He returned home early In the evening" passing
the happiest hours had known for years, renew
eddy assuring me that there was no rest for him
away from me. SO in grateful love to the dear
| Father slept. On, that the end had then come
would not then record the cruel blow (which
made woman mad outright"
The next morning he called upon our friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Ovington and there, with . shocking
bravado began wicked TRADE, adding, with oath
and violence, the shameless ISLANDERS against Mt
Beecher OF which now believe him 10 be the
author
This fearful scene learned next day. In the
afternoon he showed me his invitation from the
committee to meet them that evening. did no,
then show my hurt, but carried It heavily within,
but calmly without, all night, till early morning.
Reflection upon this scene at Mr.. Ovington's con
WINGED me that notwiths landing my husbands
recent professions to me- his former spirit was un-
! changed; that his declarations OF repentance and
affection were only for the purpose Of gaining my
assistance to accomplish his ends In his warfare
upon Mr.. Beecher. In the light Of these concu
sions my duty appeared plain.
rose quietly, and, having dressed, reused him
only to say, "rheodOre will never take another
step by yonr side. The end has indeed come"
He followed me to Mrs. Oviugton's to breakfast,
saying ] was unduly excited and that he had been
msrepresented, perhaps. but leaving me deter
mined as before.
How to account for the change which twenty
four hours have been capable OF working in his
mind, then many years past, leave for the
eternities with these mysteries to reveal. That ht
is an unreliable and unsafe guide, whose idea o
trutn-oving ls selfoving, IL is my misfortune II
this late, sad hour to discover.
July %, 1874. ELIZABETH r TILTON.
TILTON BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
From the Brooklyn Eagle.l