The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-02
Mr.. Tnton and His .sThund.rbolt."

OF accuracy in his conversations with the gen.
tlemen Of the press. We observe the report
of an interview between himself and
Brooklyn Journalist, in which there are two
statements The first is that the HERALD sent
able and most insulting interview with his
eldest daughter" and that next day the inter-
view was followed by ga brutal editorial refer
ence in the HERALD'' to his wife-'a delicate
lady, whom no friend nor foe either of MIR.
Beecher or himself has = right to "drag
into this controversy" To this we respond
that the HERALD has never sought an "inter-
view" with Mr.. Tilton's wife or his daughter,
or any member of his family, nor printed
word of such a character the
fact which Mr.. Tilton should have remem-
bered, that no one had right to drag ladies
into any controversy" In the second place,
what Mr.. Tlton regards as 'brutal editorial
reference" to his wife is the following:-
| he says he has been accused OF slandering Mr..
| Beecher, and that he owes 1t to his character to
prove the accusation false. 1t Is NOT easy TO ex-
such an excuse Is calculated to excite. What can
| be said OF man who sets higher value on his
wife for chastity We cannot understand the
sense OF honor which thinks it greater stain to
Se Wax T aa Oas Sssa
The more fully the public comes to believe
that Mr.. Tilton's jealousy was unlounded the more
enectually would the reputation OF his wife have
been protected against suspicious which cannot
| touch her without at the same time wOundng him
| and bringing disgrace upon his children. Suppos-
| ing the accusation true there was time when he
might with honor have exposed and abandoned
act OF forgiveness. II he should hereafter say that
his letter was not meant to brand her, the public
win regard It as weak and cowardly subterIuge.
1t Is true that no SPECIFIC charges are made in the
letter against her or Air. Beecher. But Mr.. nlt0n
knew perfectly how the letter would tie under
STOOD. PUBLIC rumOr has long been definite enough
| on This painful subject. and Mr. TtOn was aware
that MS letter would be interpreted in accordance
with the notorious DRY, unless he stated differ
| ent ground OF complaint
| These are opinions, temperately expressed,
that come within the just lines of comment.
The subject was painful and delicate, and has
never been welcome to u.s. We would gladly
have never printed word on the subject. But
Mr.. Tilton summoned the world to hear him,
and the story which he called upon us to be-
lieve was that he had been dishonored. Either
his story meant this or it meant nothing, and
any mystery as to the meaning is an affecta-
ton. The man whom he charged with this
offence is one of the first men Of this genera
ton in eloquence, genius, power and the
example of Christian life. To drag this man
down Mr.. Tilton himself printed to the world
that he had suffered from his hands an out
rage which was so terrible that he could not
characterize it, but the nature of which was
plainly understood by all the world This he
did, too, after he had signed what was called
"a covenant expressing 'good will and
friendly spirit towards the man whom he
believed to have wronged him, and which read
in these words
spirit toward Henry o. Bowen and Henry Ward
Beecher, hereby covenant and agree that Will
wise, any OF the allegations or imputatlons lnnu-
endoes contained In any letter hereunto annexed.
suggested by or growing out of these; ana that |
Will never again bring up or hint at any cause OF
difference or ground o. complaint heretofore ex-
listing be ween the said Henry g. Bowen and my
self or the said Henry Ward Beecher.
If we were disposed 70 comment analytically
upon this painful and loathsome affair we
might allude to the other circumstance that
Mr. Titon's own fine business sense of news
paper advantage and enterprise was so
thoroughly undisturbed by the agonies which
rent his soul that he could print an extraor-
binary edition of his journal and cover Broad
way with placards to the effect that a"thunder-
bolt had fallen" and that any one desiring
that thunderbolt could buy it at the news
stands Mr.. Tilton's hand threw this thunder
bolt. 1t fell upon his own Preside.
There is only one feeling toward Mr. Tilton,
so far as we can read the public mind-a feel
ing of profound pity and sorrow. No one
bears him anger, for his case is such that
anger has not courage to speak. Mr. Car
penter, in the letter which we print elsewhere,
and which is marked by chivalrous and
tender friendship toward Mr.. Tilton, ex-
presses the public feeling. He tells us that
Mr.. Tilton has known measureless sorrows.
'sWendell Phillips" according to Mr.. Car
penter, "said OF him not long since that four
years ago no young man had 80 brilliant
future as Theodore Titon," ':and to-day he
stands amid the ashes of his hopes We GER
tainly have no word Of unkndness, and
scarcely of criticism, to address to o man
whose own associates and comrades regard as
living only in the ashes of his life. But it is
too late for him to complain of the criticisms
of the press-criicisms that seem to us to
have been unusually considerate, generous
and reserved. He should have thought of this
after he signed his covenant and before he
signed his sthunderbolt.'
CONSTITUTION MAKING IN FRANCE.-The
subcommittee of the Committee OF Thirty of
the French Assembly has reported a project
of constitution. The plan recommends the
creation of second Chamber of Legislature
and the affirmation of the personal septennate
of MacMahon but leaves void as to what
form of government is to succeed that of the
soldier President. This omission has, it is in
ferred, been designed with the view that the
monarchy may have chance OF restoration
The truth is that the French Republic, as it
ia Is hrouuht mora mainly before the axas Of