The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-08-20

We DO not expect the statement
Of Henry Ward Beecher to be re-
ceived by everybody as true. There
are plenty of persons who would feel
keenly disappointed if this most
scandalous of all scandals was to
come to an abrupt and impotent con-
clusion. There are others, not I'M
friendly to Mr.. Beecher, who will
criticise the evidence and hesitate re-
garding their verdict. There are
others still, who, having carefully ex-
smined the case, weighed the testi-
mony, considered the creditibiIity of
the witnesses, and analysed the char
acters and motives Of the various
parties, are perfectly satisfied that
one Of the most gigantic conspira.
cies every attempted has been over
thrown and one of the most cruel
ISLANDERS ever circulated utterly de-
moiished.
One thing is revealed By Mr..
Beecher which, though seemingly of
small importance, goes grea, way
toward explaining things heretofore
inexplicable: Frank Moulton is free
lover, believer in the religion of
Woodruff, and therefore interested,
as all of that class are, ia the down
fall of the great minister. Mr..
Beecher, with all his great genius
and wonderful powers, is as simple
about some things as q babe. His
statement shows this, and his whole
life-so childish in many of its phas.
es-reveals him as one who is al
heart and soul, with none Of that rug
ged manhood which would assert its
elf promptly and positively when sci
upon. He is disposed to yield al
most anything for present peace, ano
submit to almost any imposition &C
that the clouds may disappear and
the sunshine which he loves so wei
once more gladden. his own and the
houses of his friends. He was the
very man, above all others, whom de-
signing men and reckless women. ca.
ger for new gospel and the pro-
mitigation of new faith, would FL
upon, knowing him well as one to be
drawn into their service.
Did Moulton, Woodruff, and their
disciples, assisted by Tilton, attemp,
this? As carefully prepared scheme,
probably not; but with the rather
singular advantages thrown in their
way, and with their suspicious and
half convictions that Mr.. Beecher
had been practicing their theories, it
is not unreasonable to believe that
they eagerly persuaded themselves
of the fact Of his guilt, and sought to
use the circumstance to carry the
foremost preacher of the age over to
their cause, and startle the world by
grand announcement of the new
faith, of which Mr.. Beecher should
be the defender and head. The in
terviews with Mrs. Woodruff corro-
borate this idea. AT the first meet
ing with Mr.. Beecher, she was most
affable; at the next, cold; at the last,
threatening. He had refused to pre-.
side at her meeting, and suspecting
perhaps half believing-from what
she had heard that he had been Grim
inally intimate with Mrs. Tilton, she
thought to drive him into q quas
endorsement Of her views, by com
pelling him, under fear Of exposure,
to honor her and her cause by acting
as chairman of the disreputable as
semblage.
If Mr.. Beecher had been guilty,the
natural thing for him TO have done
was to consent to preside. 1t would
not have materially injured him, for
he could have readily denied all
knowledge Of the principles which
she was to avow; and so far as his
conscience was concerned, it would
certainly have been no shock to him
TO hear theories advocated which he
was daily putting in practice.
That Mr.. Beecher has been exceed
ingly weak and foolish, all admit
That he has been guilty as charged,
we do not believe. Subsequent de-
velopments may change this conyic.