New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-02
Mr., MOULTON'S PART.


The Rev Dr. Lec~ord Bacon a TA< Independent
Probably the report OF the Investigating
Committee in the Plymouth c6uTsa ansr Will n cave
appear in print shall not venture TO prognostleate
offer any untiney criticism favorable unfavoraole.
the method OF investigation No summing up OF
and no disclosures that may zee be made can in any
redeem the man who has become 30 conspicuous IN
embarrassed editor and proprietor OF The Golden Age
and the popular and Out not very cunning
How long ago l first heard the stories SURPRISING
without referring TO memoranda which If they exist.
not just now within my reach Perhaps vas hree
Er' Tton's statement, was laid open before by
man OF high standing Who unfortunately knew nothing
,t ~as that rst heard the name OF Frank Moulton'
In the absence Of any proof or show OF proof refused
charge memory with the painful details OF story
which knew would sooner later become public; but
then began TO suspect and tbeneeforward the mpres
s,on my mind grew deeper and more detnite tnat:
might be the result IN regard to Mr. Beecher or any
other Of the drumd's persona the mutual FRIEND, .he
the pistol scene would DO exposed In the deno"me as
chief OF the plot
threats OF what Mr. Titon will do and threats OF what
thing but will any judcioas lawyer advise Mr. Moul-
indicate himself by prosecuting Mr. Beecher for
man of aesthetic refinement. but emnentIy ohivalrous
An his friendships and sensitive to the posslblty OF DO
ing any dshonorsbie thing. Mr.. Beecher. having had
the benefit OF Franks generous friendship for know
not how many years, now turns upon hun in self-de-
IN very base Conspiracy win this heightened gentle
man, whose "eye beams keen with honor" vindicate
his honor by bringing his accuser 10 answer before
iuryi How can hei Where Will he nd judicious aud
honorable couDselOrstlaw who will advise him TO do
soi put this question without knowing that
he has not already paid the retaining fee or even that
tbe most eminent criminal lawyer in Massachusetts, has
not already advised HIM to do Just the thing which
think sagcious and honorable counselor would advise
Observe the situation Mr. Boecher charges this man
With having been for years the chief actor in base con
spirators yet not credabo to his discretion,
and incredibe AL things considered. II he tolls the
truth, Frank Mouiton " Is a bad man. Bot II Mr..
Beechers story is not true what foowsi We have Mr.
these years past and his is the true story # Mr. Bosch
ers false According to his own story, not less than
and scorn of all honest men, though he seems def
cieDt IN moral sense 10 know It,
In each OF the two stories there is apparent
spiracy. The against Mr. Beechers peace OF mind
against his reputation against his usefulness againt
his family against the church OF which he is the hon
ored minister. IL involves conspiracy against weak
and helpless ssa W make her q S nes and hs
proceeded, it Ia alleged so far to extort money
from Mr. Beecoer's gushing sympathy with man whom
ne had befrended. but who had ruined himself by his
tneradicabe folly The other IL conspiracy to conceal
punished II the crime had been murder, the oonspira
tors would been accessories after the fact" and
murder. The crime in the coaceament Of which Mr..
houiton processes to have been sn accomplcethough
the OF New York do not recognize it felony
is nevertheless abhorred By the people that the I'M
,nred nnsanS 70 ki toe oasndes. and calls the deed
emo<iona insanity" conspiracy OF the same sort to
cover mp g burglary or forgery, especially If money
were paid for conoeaing the crime would be what the
law calls compromising felony and the conspira-
crime. But what Is burglary OF forgery compared
with the crime0r rather the repeated and multiplied
acts OF crtne-@hich Mr.. Beecher has been charged
with and winch Mr.. Mouton has 80 long been labori
onsiy oonoealins, with an exquisite sense of honori
trivial onense-a private affair which the dshonored
hubbard has something to condone or TO revenge but
DOT much OF crime against society II ons u can DO
FLUSHED up among ones friends" 30 liked does this
conviction TO be In Mr. houltons mind That emu
ous OF the blessing pronounced Peacemakers he has
been working all the while as he would have Us under
stand, for compromse Lvsn wheh tH cs pd1 fnr
. thorough investigation when MI I1lton pau re-
sponded BY giving all the details OF s 'tory " i oS
1r Moulton prvdd5o DOCUMENTS SAID 10 Dc In MS
possession aud supposed to os eeoT, , hs n tbe
maker was marveously unable 70 see any g,1E ~ W.
case other than personal Difficulty pesSeen mr.
Beeches and Mr. Tltop win an assurance ootn u per
mtee accept view Of the case aud to settle by
pS gate nan yetbe Don Juan in tue
saniIes Which he visits Only let us have compro-
m'se, by Which Mr. Beeches and MI hilton shall De
have Daniel come 10 Judgment in the person OF MI
eor1ng 70 ms story Is thorough prof gate leading
captive silly women" shall retain his position and all
hls influence by coming 10 terms Win Mr. Iheodore
Dousess i, IS the hope OF countless muttude in this
and other lands. that Mr. Beecher will I've tumphantly
~ndicafed and they are praying that he may be. But
they not pray ng nor hoping that II he guilty he
NAV detection.
GOOD man. they believe that nc il Innocent OF the wick
edness imputed him. aud will believe so till he shall
be proyed guilty III that belief they are praying that
his pnooence be made manifest, and that those who
have conspired' 20 destroy him may be confounded
But IL ia NOT their prayer their desire that II he Ia
guilty his guilt may he concealed BE they ever 80 eager
IN his behalf they eager 10 defend him only because
~ fneir conhdence in him. Let this be understood
everywhere MI Beechers friends do not claim for him
Immunity in any wckedness MI Mouton may nego-
tate himself into nfamy, but he lie not counted among
Mr. Beechers friends.
In rough outline the il stands is this On
one side we have Mr.. Ton's story and Nh. Mouton's.
ON the other side have Mrs. TltOn's and Mr.
Beecher's Thousands OF while waiting for other
testimony eonfde Henry Ward Beecher more than in
Prank and In poor Elizabeth more than in poor
Theodore Yet say: Better for society better
for CHRISTIANITY for the Plymouth Chsrsh and all
its families better for Mr. Beecner himself that being
guilty he be east into shame and silence than
that being guilty he be permitted by any conniyance
hrb posltIon 'Thou shalt get found out is not
one of Gods cOmman dments aud man can be saved
by trying TO keep II.
From The Country, Aug. a. 1874.