Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-29

they talked the matter over. He says
that TiltOn was at first mysterious and
non-cOmmittal, but on their way home in
Brooklyn TiltOn invited him into bis
house, where his true story lchargine
Beecher with sSlicitation onlyl was exhibit
ted to Mr.. Beecller and prolonged conver-
sation was had which lasted until mid
night, and during all this, not one word
was said or limited by Tilton that he be
lieved Beecher had committed adultery.
Z. Supervisor Harmon, who like Mr..
Beecher, Is one of our well known and re
spectacle citizens, testifies to substantially
the same experience with Tilton as to the
nature of his charge. Mr.. Harmon goes
further and testifies not only that TiltOn
read TO him the ''true story in which there
was no allegaf,n m Of adultery, but that Til
ton described 10 him his first interview with
Mr.. Beecher on the eve of Dec. so, and
then informed Mr.. Harmon that he at that
time charged Mr.. Beecher with the offence
Of improper advances.
Unprecedented POItrOOnery.
The further fact that Tilton treated the
matter during four years as an offence which
could be properly apOlogized for and for
given is wholly with the charge
1 III lto DItcElll lblAlls IL - UCltNNu lfJ NeAcC
Of adultery on record can be produced
| where an injured husband upon learning
of his wifes infidelity kept the fact to him
self for months, and then, after private com
plant to the offending party,receiye and ac-
cept an apology for the oiiense, and declare
Il forgiven, and this followed by restOra-
tion of eOurtesies Of friendship.
In scene at Moulton's house after the
1 - IL l. .
Y ..IIe. Beeeher, burst out in an EXPRESSION OF
great sOFrOw. He had done wrong not so
much as some others had, referring to his
wife who had made statements to
Mr.. Bowen" II the wrong done to
| tery, how could these words be used
in reference to it. ale had done wrong
not so much rs some Others" The apology
clearly refers TO the advice of Mr.. and Mrs.
Beecher that induced Bowen to discharge
/ TiltOn.
That Moulton did not believe for under
stand that the Ofiense was adultery, is
| shown by the same class of evidence.
In June, 1873, MoultOn wrote to Beeeher:
'.If the truth must be spoken let it be.
know you can stand il the whole case was
| published tomorrow" Apparently fearing
this might rather tend to determine Mr..
| Beecher TO publish the whole case than
| otherwise, he crossed out these and other
lines with pencil and commenced anew in
| this new effort. On the same paper these
words occur: sYOu can stand if the whole
case We're published tomorrow" MOultOn
was right. The pity is that Mr.. Beecher did
not publishIit forthwith and become once
| more free and end the Vaccinations of Til
ton and the mutual friend.
What shall be said of NOultOn, who now
asserts for the first time that adultery was
the ofiense. Is it possible this man is so
low in his moral perceptions as TO believe
that a minister Of the gospel, and that, too,
/ OF Plymouth Church, could stand up before
bis church and the world against the crime
Of adultery. .
TThe strong language Of Beecher's letters
is next explained ON the grounds Of deep
emotion and heavy labOrs.l
statement Of Conclusion.
/. We find from the evidence that Rev.
| Henry Ward Beecher did not commit adul-
tery with Mrs. Elizabeth X. TiltOn, either at
the times or at the place or places set forth
/ in the third and fourth subdivisions Of Mr..
kr. TiltOn'S statement, nor At any other
| time or place whatever.
>. We find from the evidence that Mr..
Beecher has never committed any improper
act with Mrs. TiltOn, nor made any un-
claste or improper remark, proffer or sOlic-
| itatiOn to her Of any kind or description
| whatever.
3. II this were a question of error of
| Judgment on the part of Mr.. Beecher, it
would be easy to critieise, especially in the
light Of recent;esents. In such criticism,
/ even 20 the extent Of regrets and censure,
vfe are sure no man would join more sin
| cerely than Mr.. Beeeher.
4. We find nothing whatever in the evi-
dence that should impair the perfect con-
/ fidenee Of Plymouth Church, or Of the
| world in the Christian character and integ-
rity of Henry Ward Beeeher, and now let
the peace of God, that passeth all under
| standing, rest and abide with Plymouth
| Church and her beloved and eminent pas
tor, so much and so long afflicted.
| HENRY W. SAGE,
AUGUSTUS STORRS,
HENRY NJ. CLEVELAND,
HORACE b. CLAFLIN,
JOHN WINSLOw,
;. V. WHITE,
Committee of Investigation.
BROOKLYN, Aug. "A, 1874.
The report Of the Committee Of lnyesti
/ CATION, with the statement of conclusions.
upon being read to the church, was adopted
amid shouts Of acclamatiOn.
Mrs. TIItOn.
It is not for the committee to defend the
course Of Mrs. TiltOn. Her conduct on
any theory Of human responsibility is in
| defensible. Our hope is, that it may be
made clear. There is medical testimony
before the committee, given by two emi-
/ nent physicians, Drs. Mention and Cory,
to the effect that such cases Of mental pow
| er and OminatiOn by husband of strong
will over a wife weakened by discord and
domestic trouble are not infrequent.
$4,000 school Money.
| IL is said that Mr.. Beecher was so anX-
ions to have Bessie Turner leave town and
keep away, that he paid some 5000 for her
school expenses. There is no doubt the
| $1,000 were paid, but for quite another pur-
pose. Miss Turner and Mr.. Til
! ton both agree in saying
that il was TiltOn's plan to have her 60
| away because she had stated 10 her friends
that Tilton had twice attempted intimate
| relations with her. The absurdity Of sup
posing that Mr.. Beecher would invest 81
900 apiece to get persons 10 leave town tC
whom TiltOn had been peddling his scan
dal against him is too transparent.
Resolutions.
The following resolutions were also unan
imOusly adOpled:
] Resolved, That the evidence la'd befOit
the Examining Committee not only does
not afford any foundation for rputting the pas
tor ofthiS church, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
upon trial, but on the contrary, establishes
to the perfect satisfaction Of this church
his entire innocence and absolute personal
purity in respect to all the charges now or
hereafter made against him by Theodore Ill
ton.
| Resolved. That our confidence and love
for our pastor, so far from being diminish
ed, are heightened and deepened by the un-
merited suiierings which he has so lone
borne, that we welcome MIN with sym
pathy more tender, and a trust more un
bounded than we ever felt before to ms
public labOrs among us, TO our chlldreu'oul
families, our homes and our hearts.
PLYMOUTH SCENES.
A Rather TumuItuOus Prayer Meet