The New York herald., 1874-09-17
A REPLY TO MOULTON.
General Tracy's Answer to the Criti-
cisms Of the Mutual Friend.

cisms of tho Mutual Friend.
General Tracy has replied to Mr.. Moulton's state
ments' which seemed calculated to damage hlm in
MS character as Mr. Beechers leading counsel. In
MS answer he denies that he was Mr.. Beecher's
counsel when Mr. Moulton first sent for him after
the publication OF the Bacon letter. He had
always believed that the charge OF an improper
proposition made by Mr.. Tllton In his "True StOry'
was false, believing, as he did. that 'seme playful
and innocent remarkn made by Mr.. Beecher to
Mrs. Tilton had been "misconstrued" and "by jeal-
ousy magnifed" and made the subject Of offence
General Tracy asserts that the position which
he first assumed was az the special request OF Mr..
Moulton. lie accuses Mr. Moulton OF "treachery"
IN publishing the private conversation held with
him at his (Mr. Moulton's) instance. Despite all
this General Tracy declares that he Will not yio-
late Mr. Moulton's confidence, for If he held pri-
vate conversation With the Devil he would respect
the Devs confidence.
General Tracy virtually admits that he appealed
tervently to Mr.. Tilton in order to induce him to
submit 10 a compromise, and he makes the anus
ing statement that Mr.. Moulton compared his
(Tracy's) eoquence in talking to T1ton to that OF
the greatest orators in ancient and modern times,
and declared that General Tracy had eclipsed
them ALL General Tracy is convinced that MIR.
Tron's reconciliation with his wife was never sin
the desire OF retaining control OF her. In
regard TO Mr.. Mouton's assertion that
General Tracy shed tears in appealing
TO Mr.. Tilton, he says that was owing to the
chronic condltion OF one OF his eyes. AS TO the
charge that he received condolences from MIR. Titon
on the promise never to act as Mr. Beecher's
counsel, General Tracy says that his promise
only covered the first charge OF improper ad.
vances, and not the latter charge OF adultery In
regard to the conversation from which General
Tracy derived his belief in Mr.. Tilton's ''insan-
ity," he says:-'I asked Mr.. Tilton in that cOnver
satlon-ls 1t possible that alter publishing to the
world that the offence W as one for which an apOl-
ogy can be made by one gentleman and accepted
by another, alter admitting that the act was one
which did not disturb your friendly relations with
MIR. Beecher, you can now ask the world to believe
that that offence was the seduction OF your vile and
the seducer her pas.or9 To do so said, "woud, IN
my Judgment be to proclaim yourself among the
'SOmeh hing like that was said OF Lord Bacon;"
and discovered that, IN assOclatlng his acts with
that OF q great but dishonored name, had COM
plimented him. The conversation continued, and
on his repeating that he might be led TO make the
charge OF adultery against Beecher determined
to make one more effort to arouse him to sense
OF the shame II seemed to me he would incur, and
said, "TiltoD, do not say that man may not ior-
give the wife who has allen. Indeed, under some
circumstances l think 1t might be his duty to do
SO; but he can never forgive the man and resume
friendly relations with him. After having.stated
an offence and admitted that you had accepted
an apology Tor IL, ana had since been the friend OF
Mr.. Beecher to now say that that offence was
adultery, committed with your wife, would be. in
my Judgment. to me merit the e. contempt Of every
code OF honor which prevails with ordinary men
that one cannot forgive vile, and particularly
man, Tor Sucn an 0ueuCe. But am governed
by no such sense OF honor; mine Is an eXtraOr0-
nary sense OF honor" And agreed with MIN that
1t was In another part OF this same conversation
Tilton made some remark complimentary or my
self with regard to some professional business
which had recently transplred, and then sald:-
"But for myself do not profess to have any
ability Tor small matters but have great ability
for great affairs. Give me grand field or great
controversy and am great" In another instance,
at the same interview. referring TO the great con.
troversy which a charge OF adultery against
Beecner would excite, and the great figure which
all parties must play IN II, he said d-"Beecher Is
great antagonist-the greatest IN the country,
save One-that Is myself ~ l did ask myself
during the conversation, is this egotlsm or Is II
insanity What he said and the manner in which
he said 1t made profound impression upon my
mind, and repeated the conversation to two or
three different persons expressing, as | did to
Mouton, my doubt whether the mans mind had
not been thrown from its balance.
Tue charge that he tried to persuade Mr.. Tllton
not to make his statement, and sought TO induce
the committee not to meet on the night his state
ment was TO be made. General Tracy also ad-
mts, and his reason for this Is that its publication
would .loose the loodgates OF scandal and greatly
iDure Mr.. Beecher," OF whose innocence General
Tracy convinced. This argument General
Tracy seeks to strengthen by quoting GeneI al
Buffers declaration to Mr.. Tilton that the publica
tlon OF his statement would wound Mr.. Beecher
and Kill him (Mr. TIltOn).