The New York herald., 1874-08-01
What Was the Wrong :-The Sin Which h
Mrs. Triton Saw ON Reading ''Grihth

Mrs. T1itOn saw on heaOAnS "OrAmth
Gaunt.,
To TILE EDITOR oP THE HERALD
Now that the statements OF the accuser and the
accused in the Tilton- Beecner scandal are pub
lisned, ask whether it would be proper lor a cit-
zen to give his views, through the press, with no
other end but that of justice9 II you think it
would, please give utterance TO mine, which are
based principally, If not exclusively, on the letter
OF Henry Ward Beecher, better known as "the
apology" and on that Of Mrs. Tilt0n, quoting the
reading OF "Grin1th Gaunt," the authenticity OF
both of which is not denied, nor is the free will in
writing ana delivering the same put In question.
Mr.. Beecher admits that MRS. Tilton is the person
referred to in his apology, and Of whom be says:-
"She Is gutless, snned against, bearing the trans
gression of another.n The words Immediately fol-
lowing, her forgiveness have" tend to make t
appear that he Is the man who sinned against her
and whose transgresson she is bearing, and the
humillating words which in the same breath are
set forth craving the pardon OF the husband, would
tend to snow that the sin and transgression CON-
mtted against her affected her husband and re-
qured his forgiveness for the calm OF conscience OF
ful relaxation Of mind to understand that
such sin and transgression was an advice
70 we 1 nsp Se 20 q' q. ne 9
ing the subsequent letter Of the 9TH OF February,
addre sseo by Mr.. Beecher to Mrs. nlton, which
speaking OF Mr.. Moulton's trustworthy conduct,
writes that he (Mr. Moultonl "would be a true
friend TO her honor and happiness
On the other hand II Mrs. T1lton's letter OF June
70 refers TO the same sin alluded to In the apology
1t is stiil harder for the lmpassionate reader 10
endorse Mr.. Beecheris explanation OF what that
SIN was. Mrs. TiltoD, on reading "Griflth Gaunt,n
saw she says, "cearly her sin.n IL consisted
III that, when she knew that she was loved.
sne sunered 1t 10 grow into passion"
Sbe ADDS that she thought at tine time
one, not even her husband The reading OF Grif-
Bth Gaunt opened her eyes, and in a repenting
tone continues her letter, writing to her husband
that she is prepared TO renew her marriage vow
and TO keep 10 as the saviour requreth,u ana
ends her letter by assuring him OF tried, purl-
fed and restored love- This letter IS a COMES
sion by Mrs. filton that suggests a great deal
against her; but the question OF public interest,
methinks is not whether Mrs. Tilton is guilty OF
adultery, but whether Henry ward Beecher is
guilty or a sacriegiOus abuse OF his sacred mfns-
feral capacity In allowing parshioner OF mis- to
accept his all "absorDlng love" for her,
lightn as 10 disguise to her the wrong she
was dong to her husband. I Henry Ward
Beecher is the person alluded TO IN Mrs. Titons
letter there Is no doubt that he should stand con.
vcted OF a gross wrong but az Mrs. T1ton does
not point out TO any particular person conclu.
sive inference can only be allowed. and Ibis could
be justified from her comparing herself with Cath
crime Gaunt VINO, in the work ol fiction, ~ repre-
sented TO have peen charged by her husband with
improper intimacy with her pastor, Father Leon
ard, growing from the influence the latter had ex-
erclsed over hts parisbloner, the more so on ac-
CVppt Qi the geagkaRly stI0Rg cQlQGlo epce ~ I'VE