The New York herald., 1874-09-12
Mr. moulton'. Third statement.

All OF Mr. Moulton's statement which is
essential to a further understanding of the
Beecher scandal is published in our columns
to-day. That which has been printed re-
peatedly before is omitted, except where it is
necessary to the continuity of the narrative,
and this is done because we believe the public
is disguised with the affair and weary of
superfuous retention. But while it is dis
gusted the public has not lost its interest in,
the case but on the contrary, is more de-
slrous to have the facts established and to
get rid OF the discussion forever Nothing
less will satisfy the millions of readers whose
anxiety the Plymouth church investigation
only served to increase and for that reason
we do not hesitate to print passages in the
testimony Of Mr.. Moulton which otherwise
could never have admission to this paper.
The scandal has gone so far that nothing
is to be gained by attempting to suppress what
cannot be hidden; the truth is of more i'm
portance to the public now than delicacy, and,
indeed, the limits of delicacy have been al
ready SO far overstepped that any further
license makes no practical difference. Mr..
Moulton, if his charges are true, is for the
same reason justified in telling the story
plainly, and placing the responsibility, where
it rightly belongs, upon the facts.
Some Of these facts are new, and in the
shape of documentary evidence-letters from
Mrs. Morse, Mr.. Beecher and Mrs. Tilton.
They are strange letters breathing of mystery,
sorrow, fear and limiting, it may be presumed,
nfc Gin Nho 1okt1 - NJ u
self are as difficult to explain upon the pre-
sumption of his innocence as those which
have been published, and fit almost as
awkwardly into his version of the
causes Of his trouble. But that which is
most startling in the statement is Mr.. Moul-
tons direct personal testimony. This is to
the effect that Mr.. Beecher confessed to him
not only his adultery with Mrs. Tilton, but
also his criminal connection with other
women, and the details of this confession
form the most disgusting portions of the
document. The credibiity of Mr.. Moulton
is, of course, to be measured against the
credibility Of Mr.. Beecher in the light of the
admitted facts. Here it is that the strong
element Of Mr.. Moulton's statement is found.
He has compared dates, contrasted language,
ana!yzed circumstances, and thus framed an
argument which is damaging to the theory of
Mr.. Beechers innocence. It will not do,
therefore, for the champions of that theory to
say that Mr.. Moulton is not worthy of belief;
that is course which they might proftably
adopt if he came before the public with an
unsupported assertion. But it is not unsup-
ported he sustsins it with documentary evi-
dence, and the assertion the facts, the logic,
must all be judged together.
To the charge of blackmailing preferred by
Mr. Beecher full reply is made by Mr.. Moul-
ton, and this is the least interesting portion
of the statement, for the reason that the
charge never had much weight with the pub
lie. Mr.. Beecher's attitude toward Mr.. Moul-
ton up to last July is inconsistent with knowl-
edge of blackmaiing, and many friends of
the pastor have been unable to resist this con-
clusion. But as false charge of blackmail-
ing would be as damaging to Mr.. Beecher as a
confession of adultery, end, in fact, under his
circumstances would imply such confession,
they have explained it by o reciprocal mis1n-
derstanding. Thus: :-Moulton, wrongly be-
ieving Beecher guilty, accuses him; Beecher,
conscious Of his own innocence, can only ex-
plain such an attack by supposing Moulton to
have been mercenary wretch. But while
such theory is necessary to those who are
convinced of Mr.. Beecher's innocence and at
the same time certain of Mr.. Moulton's disin-
terestedness, it can be dismissed from o calm
consideration OF the facts Those facts, with
out reference to their consequences clearly
prove to us that Mr.. Moulton did
actuated in these business matters
by ordinary motives of kindness to
both the men between whom he stood az
a friend. Nor do we find in this statement
evidence that Mr.. Moulton has betrayed Mr..
Beechers confidence, for the publication of
all these letters is justified by Mr.. Beechers
attempt to ruin Mr.. Moultons reputation.
We may say, therefore, that we consider that
by the production of Mr.. Beecher's own
written words Mr.. Moulton has cleared his
character Of the imputations of his opponents,
and that any further defence on his part is, at
LILO o'oHo VI VIC ue'eAoPuenIS, unnecessary.
The question is entirely as to Mr.. Beechers
innocence, and the new charges require an
answer. But it is useless now to make that
answer out Of court. MIR. Beecher can afford
to wait till the suit which Mr.. Tilton has
brought against him is tried, and till then
neither Tilton nor Moulton should say another
word. The climax of the scandal appears to
have been reached, and legal decision is all
that the public at present desires.
Art in Cincinnati.
We publish in another column on interest
ing and thoughtful letter on the Art Exposi-
ton in Cincinnati. That Western centre of