The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-07-30
BEECHER- TuTON
BEE CHER- TuTON
THE CELEBRATED SCANDAL.
UNPARALLELED IN HISTORY
STATEMENT OF Nr.:BEECHER
A WORD FROM Mrs. TILTON.
HOW 1T WAS Manipulated.
THE CELEBRATED SCANDAL.
UNPARALLELED IN HISTORY
STATEMENT OF Mr.: BEECHER
A WORD FROM Mrs. TILTON.
HOW 1T WAS Manipulated.
Etc. Etc. Etc.

New YORK, July 22-Gen. Tracy, coun-
sci for Mr.. Beecher, Ray. the investigation
nov making by the committee into the
great scandal will fully exonerate Mr..
Bescher, and will show that the charge Of
criUinality which is now for the first time
made against him il entirely unfounded.
The so-called apology Of Beecher. it is claim
ed by Beecher's friends, was never given TO
Tilton and never meant for him. 1t was
written entirely BY Moulton. in the dusk OF
the evening, 10 Beecher's house; the whole
matter was in q rough form and not in
tended TO be immediately given to Triton: the
la-t sentence in the original is widely from
the previous portion Of the letter, and the
paper was not signed by Mr.. Beecher, but a
memorandum on the other side of il was.
Mr.. Tilton, speaking with reporter, de-
nies that he authorized the publication Of
his statement, and said 1t must have come
from the committee. They will rue the
day when they saw fit 10 give these facts to
the public. There we're only two copies Of
my statement in existence-one gave to
the committee, the other / kept myself.
went before the committee this evening and
had kindly interchange of opinion with
them. l had no suspicion that the publica-
ton OF my statement was to be made, either
in part or in whole. 1t was q cruelty in
Mr.. Beecher-it was a crime against human
nsture-to have summoned by public proc
lsmaiion, signed by his name, committee
Of six % divulge the secrets contained in
that statement. No committee in christen-
dom, not though it we're all of congress, or
of all the churches in the world, or
all the ecle-iastIcal councils of the land,
could have extorted from me the facts
which / laid before Beecher's committee
Beecher himself, by his public demand on
NE TO do SO. demand which had no right
TO refuse except at the sacrifice Of all self
respect. l say Bsecher alone, and not his
committee, could have brought me to make
this statement. Mr.. Beecher and Mrs Til
ton together, for they are both acting in
unison, have combiced 10 force me to do
what no other earthly power could hsv-
done, and that is to divulge the facts which
gave to the committee, but l did not give
these 30 much 10 the committee as to Mr..
Bsecher himself. He threw down the chal-
lenge, and Mrs. Tilton aided BIN in his de-
fence. Mr.. Beecher struck a last blow at
my good name, and Mrs. Tilton deserted
my house and home 10 order TO take part in
his final attack. Nothing remained for me
but to stand on my manhood aud right of
sell defense. But / can only express nv
grief at the publication of the facts; should
never have gone beyond the committee. For
tour years past / have worked for nothing
but peace, but now that the struggle has
come, can say with as much pride az cor
row, and with as much determination a.
proprlety, that the war is mine, because the
night is with me. Tilton being asked where
be proposed to live, answered: "No where;
hencefcrth have no life. This is the end
Of all tragedies; they eliminate in death.
My duty has been done''
EEECHER's STATEMENT.
This evening several of the Deacon's of
Church, with Mr. Shearman, Mr..
hos and Gen. Tracy, met at Mr.. Beecher's
residence, and after consultation lasting
about three hours, drew up the following
OF Mr.. Beecher's for publication
do not propose at this time q detailed
examination of the remarkable statement of
Tilton, made before the committee
Of investigation, and which appeared in
print July Dist. l recognize the many
reasons which make it of transcend
ant importance to myself, this
church and the cause of public morality
that shall give full answer TO the char
ges against ne, Tut having requested the
of Investigation to search this
matter to the bottom, it is to them must |
look for my vindication. But | must not |
delay for an hour TO defend the reputation |
Of MIS-. Elizabeth Il. Tilton, upon whose |
name. in connection with mine, her hus.
hand has attempted TO pour shame. One
less deserving OF such di-grace Inever knew
From childhood she has been under my eye,
and since reaching ~omanhood she ha, had |
my sincere admiration and affection. j
cherish for her pure feeling, such a. a gen.
lieman might honorably offer 10 4 Christian
and which she might receive
and reGprocate without moral scruple.
reject with feelings OF indignation
every imputation which reflects upon her
honor or my own. My regard for Mrs.
lilton was perfectly well known TO NV
Iamily, and when serious difficulties sprung
up In her household it was to my wife thai
she resorted for counsel, and both of us act
ing from sympathy, and as it subsequently,
appeared, without full knowledge, gave I'm.
advised counsel, which tended to harm. /
have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton found that
his wife's confidence and reliance upon nv
Judgment had greatly increased, while his
lnfi ienoe had diminished in consequence of
= marked change 10 his religious and social /
views which were tikIng place During
hose yesrs her mind was greatly
lest her children wonld be charm
I'd by views which she deemed virtual,
Iaise and dangerous. / was suddenly ard
rudeiy aroused to the reality Of the impend-
ing danger by the disclosure of a domestic
distress Of sickness, perhaps unto death; OF
The likelyhood of the separation and scatter
ing of a family, the very members of which
had tenderly loved. The effect upon me
Of the discovery of the state of Mr.. Tilton's
ceilings and the condition of his family
surpassed, in sorrow and excitement,
,nythine that l had ever experienced;
in my life; that nv presence, influence and
council bad brought to beloved family sor-
-ow and alienatiOni, gave in my then state
d mind poignancy 10 my suffering. which
hope no other man may ever feel Even to
'e suspected of having offered privileges of a
peculiarly sacred relation, an indecorum to
! wife and mother. could not but deeply
wound one who il sensitive to the honor of
There were private reasons
or alarms in this case On the :other hand
% ss much rs was then subject to certain
Malignant rumor, and that . fagrant out.
freak in this family would bring upon them
IN added injury derived from these sianders
nd falsehoods, believing at the time that
ny presence and counsels had tended, how
yer, unconsciously 10 produce q social ca
astroPhy,. represented as imminent, gave
oppression to my feelings in an interview
Nth mutual iriend-not in cold and CAL
Gus sslf-denyiDg words, but eagerly ,
aking the blame upon my self. and pour ,
ng out my heart to my friend in the strong
u language of one burdeped With the ex.
ggeratians of impassioned SORROW. Had ,
zen the evil man Mr.. Tilton represents, / |
hould have bsen calmer and more prudent.
I vas my horror of this evil imputed that I
filled With morbid intensity at the verv
hadow OF it; not only was my friend affected
previously, but he assured me that euch I
xprsssioos Of encouragement to Mr.. Ti.ton ,
'ould soothe the wounded feelings, alIay
niger, and heal the whole trouble. He
ok down sentences and fragments of What
bad been saying. to use them o. . mediator
full statement Of the circumstances under
Thich this memorandum vas made. I shsll
i've TO the committee. That these apollo
iss were ample to meet the facts in the
-, . evident, 10 that they were accepted; !
hat our an.ercourse resumed is fri. lii