New-York tribune., 1874-07-23
MP. REECHER'S CARD.
EVERY STATEMENT WHICH MPuGNs THE HONOR OF
MRS. IILTON EXPLICITLY AND sOLEMNLY DE-

Mr.. BEECHER'S CARD.
EVERY STATEMENT WHICH IMPUGNs THE HONOR OF
MRS. IILroN EXPLICITLY AND soLEMNLY DE-
MED.
do not purpose at this time detailed eXamina-
tion of the remarkable statement OF Mr. lheoiore
Iilton made before the Committee OF investigation
and which appeared IN The Brooklyn Argus of July
q, 1874. recognize the many reasons which make
it of transcendant Importance to myself the Church.
and the cause of public morality that snail give
full answer to the charges against me. But having
requested the Committee of Investigation to search
this matter to the bottom, it is to them that must
look for NV vndicatiOn But | cannot delay for an
hour to defend the reputation Of Mrs. Elizabeth IL
Tilton upon whose name, in connection with mlne,
her husband has attempted TO pour shame.
One less deserving of such disgrace never knew.
From childhood she has been under my eye, ana
since reaching womanhood she has had my sincere
admiration and affection. cherish Tor her pure
feeling, such as a gentleman might honorably oHer
10 a Christian woman and which he might receive
and reciprocate without moral scruple reject with
indignation every imputatiOn which reflects upon
her honor or my own. My regard for Mrs. lllton
was perfectly well known TO my family. When Sc
nous difficulties sprang up III her househoid' IL
was TO my wife that she resorted Tor couh-
sci and both of us, acting from sympathy
and as it subsequently appeared wl'h-
out full knowledge, gave unadvlsed counsel
which tended to harm. have no doubt that Mr..
Tilon found that his wife's confidence and reliance
upon my Judgment had greatly increased, while his
influence had diminished i'll consequence of 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
bv views which she deemed yitally false ana dam
rerous | was suddenly and rudely aroused 10 the
reality of impending danger by the disclosure OF
domestic distress of sicknsss perhaps unto death'
of the likelihood of separation. and the
scattering of family every member
of which had tenderly loved. The
effect upon of the discovery oi
the state of Mr. Tilton's feelings and tue condition
of his family surpassed in sorrow and excitement
ANYTHING that | had ever experienced IN my liie
That nv presence, influence, and counsel had
brought to a beloved family sorrow and alienation
gave lin my then state of mind polgnancy 10 my
suffering which hope no other man may ever ieeL
Even to be suspected of having offered, under tue
privileges of peculiarly sacred relation an ndecor
ous word TO wife and mother, could not but deeply
wound any one who Is sensitive 10 the hohor Vi
womanhood. There were peculiar reasons tor alarm
III this case on other grounds, lnasmuch as was
then subject t. certain malignant rumors, and a
them an added injury derived from these shameless
falsehoods
Relieving nj the time that my presence and coun-
sells had tended however uncOnsciOusy, 10 produce
n social catastrophe, represented as Imminent,
gave EXPRESSION TO my feelings in an interview with
a mutual friend not IN cold and cautious, seif-de-
Tending words, but eagerly, taking blame upon my
self and pouring out my heart to my friend IN tie
strongest language, Oyerburtened with the exagger-
ations of impassioned sorrow. Had been the eVll
man Mr. Tilton now represents should nave Been
calmer and more prudent 1t my horror Of the
evil imputed that filled me with morbid in
tensity at the very shadow OF 1t. Not
only was my friend affected generously. but
he assured me that such expressions, II
conveyed to Mr.. Tilton would soothe wounded feel
ing. allay anger and heal the whole trouble. lie
took down sentences and fragments OF what had
been saving TO them as a mediator full state
ment of the circumstances under which this memo
randum was made shall give to the investigating
Committee. That these apologies were more than
ample to meet the facts of the case Is evident IN
that they were accepted, that our intercourse re-
surped its frendliness, that Mr. Tton subsequently
ratified it in writing and that he has continued for
four wears and until within tive weeks, to live with
his wife Is il conceivable if the original charge had
been what il is now alleged, that he would
have condoned. the offense, not only with the
mother of his children, but with him whom he be-
lieved to have wronged themf The absurdity as
well as the falsity of this story is apparent when it
is considered that Mr.. Tilton now alleges that he
carried this guilty secret Of his wifes infdelty for
six months, locked up in his own breast. and that
then he divulged it to me- only that there might be
a reconciliation with me! Mr.. Tilton has SINCE in
every form of language, and to multitude of wit
nesses orally in written statements, and in printed
documents, declared his faith in his wife's purity
After the reconciliation of Mr.. Iilton with me-
every consideration of proprey and honor demanded
that the family trouble should be kept in that Sc
clusion which domestic affairs have right to claim
as a sanctuary; and to that secluson 1t was deter
mined that it should be confined.
Every line and word of my private and confden-
tal letters which have been published is in harmony
with the statements which l now make My pub
lshed correspondence this subject comprises but
two elements the expression of my grief aud that
Of my desire 70 shield the honor of pure and inno
cent woman.
do not VIopose to analyzc and contest at this