, 1874-08-23

Now that MOu1tOn has laid his statement be-
foro the American people, and go, Ne suppose,
Terminated hts connection with the Beecher-
Tilton scandal, it may not be inappropriate to
review his career since he first became a party to
it. Mou1ton had been, az he states himself,
Tlton's friend for twenty years previous to the
time that he first heard Of the scandal He had
been personally acquainted with Mr.. Beecher for
only one year. In 1870, he became acquainted
with the circumstances OF Beecher's criminal
relations With Mrs. Tilton. From the frst he
foresaw that there WAS great danger OF the
scandals becoming public. and from the frat he
did everything to keep Ti1ton {over
whom, 7s his lifelong friend, he had
very great inhuence), from making the re-
voting history public. He saw that, while
Beechers ofrense was great injury to his
friend Tilton, the publication OF it could effect
no good end It would DO reflection On Til
toms children 1t would be reflection on Beech
er's children. It would destroy Eeechers m
fuence for good, and 30 assume the proportions
Of national calamity. Impeled by these COZ
sideratons, hs assumed to act a. mediator
between his friend Tiltoa and the offender
Deecher. Without any motive but to save the
character Of his friend and the good name OF his
friends children. and to save the cause
Of public morality. be has been TO infinite
pains during four years, only TO see his efforts
at the end unavailing, and to be stigmatised by
one whom be had done everything TO serve ~ E.
b1ackmailer. His course throughout has been
most honorable OF all the parties to the con-
troyerey ho is the only one whose reputa-
ton has not suffered by the investigation.
Beecher, and Mrs. Tuton, and Bowen do not
stand as we'll in tho eyes OF the American
people as they did when the Committee began
its slttings Moulton, on the otLer hand, who
until shout that time WAS scarre1y known to the
country, has made d very pleasing aud fay
orab1o impression upon public opinion.
He checked for four long Jears the storm
which threatened Tilton, Becchcr, and their
families. He begged Tilton not to mako any
charges against Beecher, and, after they were
made, he besousht tho Committee who we're in
vestigating them not to proceed With their ex-
animation. He has done everything to smother
up tho affair, and uttered not one word that
might fan the flame. He has been true to Til
ton. but he has been equally true to Deecher.
When he made his first statement he presented
only inst enough evidence to support the We
racty of Tilton's oath. He endeavored to in
lure Beecher just as little as he could, and sup
pressed most Of the evidence which. ap-
pea1ed in his second statement be-
Cause it was not absolutely demanded He has
known throughout how to keep his Own coun-
eel, aud has not dropped q word which Was not
wrung from him by circumstances over which he
had no control. When finally he published bis
entire statement, it waa only because his own
Cause the whole country cried out for it.
Beecher himself, till be discovered that Moulton
could not ha influenced to serve him at Tilton's
expense. expressed the highest regard for Moul-
ton. He said that Mou1ton's kindness to him
could never be repaid; that God had raised up
many friends to him, but that Noulton had
served him in q way that no other man ever
had an opportunity to serve him. He trusted
him implicitly. He had been friend to ALTO
MIR. TiltoD, Mrs. Tilton, and to himself. The
public have now ample proof that the praise Of
Beecher vas not at ali unnerited. When Aoul-
ton divu1ged the secrets confded to him, it Was
only after the parties between whom he had 30
long acted Is mediator forced him to do so.
Beecher now ACCUSES him Of b1ackm2il, Just as
be accuses Tlton Of slandor. There are many
who NAY believe Triton capable Of Islander
Who will not think Moulton capable OF
b1&ck1nailing. Ti1ton might have possibly
some inducement to s1ander Beecher; but what |
can Moulton have 70 attsck = giant
in influence to preserve pigmy in induence7
Vera there any aehshnesa tn Moulton's nature,
hs could have aerved his own eauaa by sidn2 with
Dsaahsx, axAiast ft1san Plymouth Church,