Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-16
Moulton,s New statement.

wrath, in twenty-four mortal columns OF the
New York Graphic, wherein he appears in
an entirely new role-jhat Of defender of
himself In this new statement he not only
re-afTirns the old charges but prefers new
ones of such a revolving and shocking char
actcr that we would not publish them, even
had we room. lie first attempts to show
that he did not desert Mr.. Beccher, as
charged. nor did he propose to do anything
in the interval between the appearance Of
the Bacon letter and the appearance of
Becchcr before the committec-about six
weeks. On the contrary, for month of
that time Moulton was actually exerting |
himself with Bcecher and Tracy, TO prevent |
Titon's statement being published. lie
raises a direct issue of verac,y with Mr.. |
Bcecher, not only on this point, but also as
to MIR Bcccher's declarations as 10 what was |
done with Mrs Tiltons confession, aud as to
the character Of the famous apology. Aloul- |
ton cites from Heechers own letters, SEN
fences in which he speaks Of the apology as
"my iHr" aud cites conversation in
which Beecher asked whether a letter could
not be- framed retracting that apology, and
branding il A. a "mere memorandum" the
very treatment Of il finally adopted by
Bcecher himself The next body of matter
concerns the resumption of the intimacy be-
tween Beecher and Mrs. 1ilton by clandes-
tine letters, and, implicitly, 10y meetings.
lie gives the letters that passed between the
parties. Moulton then reiterates the fact of
Beecher's personal confession to him, with
more particular narrative Of it, and, later,
deepens the tale by q narrative Of Beecher's
confession ON the Bowen case" to which
confession there was another witness. Moul-
| ton further shows that he was not " the man
/ Of devices" any more than was Beecher;
that the charge Of back-mail was entirely
an afterthought, and might as well have
been brought against dozens of men who
helped the Golden Age; that the real black
mailer was the outside family" Mrs. Morse
and Bessie, and that Mr.. Beecher maintained
q good opinion of Nouton down 10 within a
few days of his statement. lie closes with
a disclosure Of Beecher's preparations for
suicide.
The whole statement is bitter and blood
thirsty in the extreme-and in this regard
overshoots the mark. But there is an air of
confident assurance and apparent cause for
action running through it which we cannot
entirely shake off, and which in our judg-
ment throws a terrible burden of instant and
E thorough defence upon Mr.. Beecher
, Perhaps we cannot better illustrate the eff
a feet produced on the public mind 10y Moul-
+ TONS statement than by giving the following
p extracts from leading and influential jour
D nails, which fairly represent the two extremes
o there being all variety of shades of opinion
+ between The first is from the Springfield
j. Republican, and the latter from the New
York Tribune:
s "From all this escape Is scarcely possible, eX
i, cept in one direction. Those who rely ON what II
called the psychological theory that IL, that 5,
y great preacher could not possibly commit 81
% great crime, in the words OF Rev. Mr. Halliday
even though an angel from heaven should cont
e down and make the charge,-arc mpregnable Il
this evidence They safe, because they reius
to admit the possibility of guilt from the first
IS But, 10 the vast majority of men, Moulton state
a ment is more probable on the rules of evidence
more consistent with the documentary testimony
j. more reconcilable with the usual operations q
10 human nature and the frniltes Of sexual passion
u than Beecher's We do not say that Mr.. ljeeche
d is proven guilty because the opportunity for cross
n examination and for the production of witnesse
~ has no, vet been offered to its fullest extent b
IL we do say that with the candid observer Moulton'
i, statement will outweigh jeechers. Further, Their
can be no escape for Mr. Beecher, but 10 meet thi
re charge in every place. The country and the Con
a gregntonal churches cannot submit to the retur
II Of this man to his pulpit amid the acclaim of hi
n parish after the report of AN or pdife committee
Ia 1t is not to be thought Of
f. "But We shall not waste time and temper i
anal wing II statement which will damn Franco
e d. Monlf2u Deeper than any revelation Of hasen".
q and treachery that has been made by Mr.. Beeche
or his friends. II IL about such document ms on
e. might expect from the man who allows his frien
10 To make merchandise of his wife's honor, and nct
as u broker in the transaction -brutal, cruel COW
g ardly infamous. Because his actions have hee
~ misconstrued fursooth, this Bayard Of Brookly
must ave his reputation for generosity by bias
NJ ing the homes in which he has been favore
of guest pulling out the private letters committed
his honorable keeping, showing the world VIII
Us ugly things brothers and sisters could say Of on
IL another, what sentimental phrases wives Goul
write in the absence Of their husbands and dml
ne cling the reputation Of ladies whom he has new
of known and the happiness Of families which Ia,
never wroDgod him through the rcekng filth
d this unparalleled scandal ltworld not have bee
ii | considered nice business for gentleman In oldt
- times but we suppose II II all right In these da,
IN when u husband undertakes 10 prove that he
n not dog by showing that lac is a cuckold. II
~ time for this abominable business to be stsppo
no The accusers have failed in their case and even
or fresh attempt to accomplish their purpose ON
makes their failure more disastrous. The woId
ra Henry Ward lieeeher stands good against te
'or acre-lot full of Moultona aud Tltons. The wor
will tolerate no more Of their passionate and u
ce supported assertions II they haye any proof
ed what they allege against the pastor of Plymou
church. let them take it into court Of justice whe
NJ It can be weighed and siited A suit nj law ini
tl enable them to destroy the character Of Mr.. BE
cher; though nothing will ever mend their own
al, - --...--
10 A DESIRABLE CuANoE,--'rhe reliab
he a. ,. a. II