Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-14
From the Nashville Banner.
The TiltOn-Beecher Tittie-Tat-
tie.

What strange man this Theodore
Tilt0n is, to be snre 1t begins to
look as though the world will be CALI
ed upon to say, in all charitableness.
that he is crazy. Yet he puts his
words together with well>directed aim
and peculiarpreclsio1. For instance,
speaking of the idol of Plymouth =
There is something almost sublime
in the spirit and attitude of the
American people, who refuse to con-
demn and degrade a great and useful
man; :" and. in this connection he
pursues the subject after a manner
that is remarkable, coming from any
man under such circumstances and
assuredly all the more strange, com
ing from one whose place is said to
have been supplied by the accused in
way forbidden alike by God and
man. See what he says further:
To see the terrible injustice of weigh
ing life of unequaled services and
ableness against momentary infatua-
ton, and throwing thil five years Of
concentrated effort for the highest ends
utterly away for what naay have been
done in fit of frenzy; and ID they
condemn him at all, it will be for the
efforts to evade and conceal what
sheuid have been frankly acknowl-
edged to his own people at least, and
his Willingness to shield himself by al
lowing the innocent to suffer for his
offence. So much has justice gained
the increase Of charity.
Heavens Does he mean to say
that so many years of "consecrated
effort for the highest ends can so
atone for the basest and blackest of
indu'gences, as to spread the mantle
of charity while Justice forgets the
deed?
The first letter, written few days
since, was eloquent enough, yet
simple enough. aud read very much
as though it conveyed the story Of
painfully personal wrong, such as
most men would delay long in ex-
posing nay. such an un5lashing in
jury as 10 acknowledgment could rob
OF its foulness, and no tears of hu-
initiation could serve to bleach its
stain. So much like truth did this
first letter read, that already the great
pulpit orator seemed clouded with
a strong suspicion, and destined to do
little more good with his people. -
The second letter however, is weak.
and bears the ear-marks of effort for
effect. 1t reads too like the ten cent
sensational yellow-back, and talks too
much of poisoned shafts, ''sadan
sorrowing head, % = fatal blow" and
places, with most too graceful style.
the skeleton in the closet" in a
prominent place; shifting the scene
just far enough to give the prurient
mind glimpse of what the writer, in
all conscience, and for the chaste and
simple sake of decency, should be the
last man in the world to introduce to
the gaze of the world.
But he says he is obliged to lift
the curtain and expose" "a series
of diSingeniouS and ineceusabLe trans
actions" Well chosen words, to be
sure, but most too many sylIables for
a man maddened for the strongest
cause that could excite to frenzyi
We intimated yesterday in alluding
to the interview of T;lton with an at
torney that his cause began to look
weak, and the letter which came to
us later confirmed us in our surmise.
Mr.. Beecher would seem now 10 be
the victim of the garrulous drivel of
Cabling dote, if indeed it does not
prove that TiIton has been essaying
to black>mail in way that the most
shameless harlot would baulk at.
Still the affair has taken several
momentary turns and is not yet ex-
hausted. We cannot know what will |!
be the next view, and can only hope
that the indelicacy and uncleanliness |
of the whole affair may serve to give |
it an early and effcctnal hiding-place,
inasmuch as they will not clear it up. |