The Portland daily press., 1874-07-17
Our New York Letter.
The Beecher ScandaI-TiitOn,s Letter
Unjust, fin ble-Fuii Confidence of
Eeecher's NeighbOrs in his Innocence
Tilton's HaliucinatiOn.

New YORK, July 15, 1874
| There is such degree of interest attaching
| to the Beecher discussion, that it is a difficult
| matter to observe silence concerning it, The
| name and fame of the great preacher are so in
expressiby precious, not merely to his personal
| friends but to the country and the world, that
the effort which has beeen made to talnish
| them is viewed with mingled feelings of sorrow
and anger by all classes of people, Besides this,
| there is such an air of mystery about the insn-
uations that have been made--so great an at
tectation OF reluctance to tell the whole truth
The part of his accuser, snch a quantity of ON
mons hints of disclosures withheld and revela-
lions suppressed-that no small degree of curl
osty is blended with the natural solicitude
which all right minded people feel, when rep
utatIon is imperilled, than which none is dear
er to mankind.
was not aware, when l wrote my letter of
10Th ult. in which stated the facts of this
whole matter as they are popularity understood
among Mr.. Beecher's parishioners and towns
men that he had invited an inquiry. 1 had the
idea that he would feel himself constrained by
the terms of the tripartite agreement, to adhere
to tie obligation of silence which that contract
imposed. The violation of that treaty by Tilton
was an act of inexcusable bad faith. But of
course, after it had been broken, Mr. Beecher
was absolved from further observance of its
conditions and had the right to pursue what
ever course he deemed necessary to his vindica-
ton from the aspersens which lad been cast
upon him by dark illusions and hoarse wits
pers.
The only other thing for him to consider was
how far the opening of such flood gate of gossip
and scandal might possibly affect the welfare
of innocent third parties. Everybody knows
that there are in Plymouth church, as there are
in many other religious societies, some NOUS
ing, tittle-tattling, Cabling busy bodies who
take savage delight in slandering their neigh
bors. To such evl-minded persons, the pas
tors friendships were often made the occasion
of reproach to the objects of them. 1t is by no
means difficult matter, unfortunately, to in
tict serious damage upo" alady's reputation by
a mere gesture, if it is artfully executed. 1t
happens to be true-and since it Is likely to
come out, now that there is an investiga-
ton on foot, L may well state it-that
the names of some of the purest and
worthiest women in Plymouth parish, have
been coupled with that of their spiritual advis-
er in such way as to reflect upon their chas-
tity. Indeed these wretched calumnistors ha re
| not always limited their aspersions to ladies
within the society, but have visited their false
charges upon ba meless parties OF other congre-
cations, and, indeed of other communities.
Every well-dsposed individual entertains a
proper repugnance to the introduction of such
topics into public discussion, and in this cir
cumstance, fancy, lies the secret Of the reti-
cence which Mr.. Beecher has so long maintained
in reference to the covert attacks of his assail-
ats. Now that he has resolved to speak, the
fact is likely to be demonstrated, that he has
been for some years the victim of sort of
black-mail; that he has sought to apDease his
sanderers by Cancellation instead of treating
them with indignant defiance; that realizing
fully how slight breath can tarnish a great
reputation, especially clerical one-how
readily the inventions of tale bearers find cir
culation and credence, he has been betrayed
into concessions, which once consented TO- have
rendered him powerless for future resistance to
the prosecutions of his pursuers.
HIS principal traducer having at last rashly
gwen his secret to the public, the lips which
can utter the whole truth, are nnsealed. The
publication repreEensible from every point of
view and involving breach of honor in its in
frlngement of a parol agreement, will, never