New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-29

IN 1891 Mr. Beecher became editor and Mr. Illton
assistant editor of The Independent and that during
thus relation they became warm and intimate
friends On or about 1868, Mr.. Tlton began to urge
Mr. Beecher TO visit his ilton's) house. and he De-
came more intimately acquainted with Mr. Iiieon
family. He urged him to do much Of his editor'ai
writing in his study. as it was more convenien. 70
write there than at the Office of The indepenaen'' MI
Beecber visited his house, and friendly relation
snranp nm between the wife and family of Mr.. Til
ton and Mr.. Beecher. which continued down TO
December in 1870 That the friendly relations EXIST
inc between Mr. Beecher and Mrs. Illton
wero ALWAYS well known and understood, and met
with Mr.. Tilton's cordial approval Some years be-
fore any omen trouble appeared between Mr. Beecher
and Mr. Tilton, his Mr. Tiltons) doctrines as set
forth in The Independent of which he had become
editor aroused a storm of Indignation and oppo-
sition in the West where this paper was widely cir
cuiated After much discussion this led to the start
ing of The Adranoe newspaper IN Chicago 10 super
sede The Independet Mr.. Tlton while editor OF 1he
Ipdepsadent leading giOus newspaper, had come
to deny the inspiration of the Scriptures and the
divinity of Christ. His social views about TINS time
also underwent radical change In the direction OF
free love- This marked change in the religious and
social views of Mr.. Tilton was source OF great
Grief and sorrow to Mrs. TltOn Mrs. I1lton seemed
to be very religious mountaineering almost 10
enthusiasln-and when this change occurred III hef
husband she naturally sought her pastor Tor counsei
end sympathy. She set forth in strong terms the
suffering her husbands course was causing her. AZ
now appears that during these years Mrs I1lton be-
came strongly attached to Mr.. Beecher and In july
1870. confessed to her husband an overshadowing
affection for her pastor.
THE EVENTS OF DECEMBER, 1870.
Mira IL
ton separated from her husband, going with her
children TO her mothers house. She sent for Mr..
Beccher and on his visiting her she made to him a
abatement of her sueIings and the abuse which she
had received at the hands of her husband, which
greatly shocked Mr. Beecher. He asked and re-
eeiyed permission to send to Mrs. IiltOn his wife,
whose Judgment in such matters he considered
better than his own. Subsequently he agreed in
advising with his wife that it was desirable that
Mrs Tilton should separate from her husband. MIR.
Tilton, however subsequently, forced his wife to
return to his house by sending for and obtaining
possession of the youngest child, who sick with
the Group. during Mrs. Titons temporary absence
from her mothers house. She suffered miscarriage
the next day after her return, on the 24th, which
resulted in a serious Illness continuing until after
the list of January, her physician being in daily at
tendance on her from the 24th to the SOth Of
December. inclusive.
Early in December this year. owing to the marked
change in Mr. TiltOn's religious and social views
Mr. Bowen felt constrained to give him notice that
his services as editor of The Independent would ter
inmate at day named in the notice. Subsequently
to this notice, and about the Goth of December
Mr.. Bowen had entered into contract with Mr.
TitOn by which he was to be editor of The Brooklyn
Daily Union and chief contributor of The Independent
co. Eve INIT vii e. of max NO
this contract Mr.. Bowen received such information
of Mr.. TiltOn's immortality as alarmed him, and lod
to an interview between himself, Mr. TiltoD, and
Oliver Johnson at the house of Mr.. Bowen, on the
Goth day of December, 1870. At this interview Mr..
Tilton sought to retain his place and Mr.. Bowens
confidence by offering to join Mr.. Bowen in an
attack on Mr. Beeoher. This interview re-
suited in the insolent letter which Mr.. Tlton
wrote and signed on the 9th of December, de-
manding that Mr. Beecher leave Plymouth pulpit
and Brooklyn. That evening Mr.. Bowen, on his way
home delivered this letter to Mr.. Beecher. Mr..
Beecher on reading it, expressed his establishment
at the receipt of such letter, and denounced its au
thor. Mr. Bowen then derided the letter, and gave
him some account of the reasons why he had re-
duced Mr. Tilton from the editorship of The hide
pendent to the subordinate position of contributor,
saying that Mr.. Tltons religious and social views
ering whether he could consistently retain him as
editor of The Brooklyn Union chief contributor of
The Independent. They conversed for some
time, MI. Bowen wishing Mr.. Beecher's opinion.
which was freely given. Mr. Beeoher said
he did not see how Mr.. Bowen could retain
his relations with Mr.. Tiltcn. Mr.. Beecher spoke
strongly of the threatening letter and the reve-
lation he had just had concerning Mr. Tiltons do
nestle affairs Mr. Bowen read Mr.. Tilton's threat
ening letter. and said that if trouble came he would
stand by Mr.. Beecher. 1t seems that Mr.. Bowen
communicated to Mr.. Tlton on the following day
the conversation had with Mr.. Beecher, and his in
tention to stand by him. Mr. Beecher though he
had no doubt that Mr.. Tilton would have lost his
place. saw that his influence was decisive, and an
ticipated Mr. Tilton's overthrow.
THE CRISIS.
II now appears that on the Goth of December. 1870,
Mr. Tlton, having learned the advice Mr.. Beecher
gave Mr. Bowen, and which was likely to bring him
face to face with loss of place and position exorted
from his wife, then lying i'll of miscarriage docu-
ment duplicating Mr. Beecher-a document evinc-
ing her love for her pastor and accusing him OF hav-
ing made an improper solicitation. On the
following day he sent Mr.. Moulton to Mr..
Beecher requesting an interview with Mr..
i3eecher at Mr.. Moulton's house that
evening Mr.. Beecher accordingly met Mr. Til
ton at Mr.. Moultons house. Mr.. Tilton received
him with memorandum in his hand, and proceeded
to charge Mr. Beecher with being unfriendly to him.
with seeking his downfall, spreading injurious
rumors about him. undermining him, and advising
Mr. Bowen to dismiss him, njuring him in his family
relations joining his mother-in-law in producing
dscord in the house, advising separation, alien
ating his wife's affection from him, with gaining
her love more than any living being, with corrupt
ing her moral virtue, with teaching her to be insin
cere lying, and hypocritical and ended by charging
that he made wicked proposals to her. Mr.. Tilton
then produced written paper purporting to be
memorandum of a confession made, in July preyi-
ons 70 him by his wife of her love for Mr. Beecher