The Grange advance., 1874-09-30

r r.
r5Ttlton And the RoheEainns. ,.s.srs
brooklyn Correspondence Of the Chicago
=.: Tribune.1 -
2 We Bohemians were rather slow in
finding out that Shearmaa was befool-
ing US, and Tilton telling the truth to
us; but we
FOUND IT OUT AT LAST.
And, out Of hundred and twenty re-
porters On the New York press, do
not know Of three who, whatever their
opinions were at first, do not now be-
lieve the truth Of Theodore Tilton's
charges against Henry Ward Beecher.
This man Theodore is strange fel-
low-familiAr, yet unfariliar -compan-
ionable, yet distant-loveable, yet aus
tere.
We oil call him ''Theodore" familiar
ly, yet not one Of US would dare make
a vulgar remark in his presence, nor
in any wise offend the most scrupulous
taste in thought or word. On the 9th.
er hand, although none OF us would
think Of saluting Mr.. Beecher as III en-
ry,' yet we could all 60 to him with the
last new story-certain that, though
broader than the "Broad Church," he
would be sure to give it a welcome; for
the great pastors genius is, after all, of
the earth earthy-and so are his tastes.
It has been q common remark among
US, that Mr.. Tilton has done nothing to
influence" the local press of these two
cities in his favor. He has never sent
a message requesting any of the editors
to do anything for him IN this emergen-
cy. He has made no gifts to any of the
reporters, nor used any personal per-
suasion, directly or indirectly, to suborn
that great Rhadamanthus who dictates
the judgements of the metropolitan
press. He is self-contained man, de.
spising outside aids, Indifferent to pub
lie opinion, living in the cloister Of his
empty house, resting on his own re-
sources, and fighting his battle without
advice from others Except in its mere
legal aspects), and with his own unaidcd
pen. The Herald said that he was
''THE CALMEsr MAN
connected with the controversy l
know this to be true. He rises at six,
goes down to his dining room, meets
his aged honse-keeper ''Katy,'' receives
from her an egg and cup of coffee,
thanks her as if he were her Bishop ab.
solving her sins, goes to his writing
desk, and works steadily till noon.
He allows nothing to furry or fuster
him his sorrows he keeps to himself
as strong man always does. He con-
ducts his controversy with the quie-
tude of a man who is cultivating roses
in his garden; he has not been heard
to say an angry word against any of his
enemies; he wastes none of his nerve
in useless excitements; he acts like a
man who expects a long fight, and who
means to endure to the end of it.
The only trace Of emotion visible in
his manner is when some one makes an
allusion to Elizabeth. He speaks of
her invariably in private in the same
terms of respect and good will which
gave such singular gliding to his ex-
animation before the committee, and to
his two published statements.
HER PORTRAIT BY PAGE
hangs on the wall of his study, and his
favorite photograph of her, taken years
ago, before the troubles came, stands at
his elbow, as if to lead him back from
the woman who betrayed him to the
wife Of his youth. When his children
come to see him, as they frequently do,
from the country, where they are stay
ing, he makes no allusion to the exist
ing sadness, but speaks Of their mother
as if she was merely away on a visit to
some friend. The kindly opinion which
this man entertains of his wife has not
been obliteratcd either by her original
crime or subsequent falsehoods against
him. "Human nature is wcak,' he
says, ''even in the strongest, and Eliza.
beth, after all, is above the average.
She is better than most Of her critics.
AS her great fault is known to the
world, so feel bound to add to this
disclosure my constant testimony to
her great merits. Even her failings
lean to virtues side.''
1t has excited our Bohemian wonder
to witness the evenness of tone in all
MIR. Tilton's remarks about this con-
troversy and its actors, and especially
about his wife.
MIR. Tilton's statement has produced
a great impression in his own city. It
has decided the wavering, ard made
them his friends. 1t has
STAGGERED AND BEW1LDERED
many Of his stanch opponents, who
would not believe Mr.. Beecher guilty
except by such evidence as the letters
Of Mrs. Morse and her daughter con-
tain. One Of the most eminent lawyers
Of our local bar said to me to-day, in
the City Hall, "Mr. Tilton ought to