The New York herald., 1874-08-29

ar1 20 amu @ always mas Deen marked quality
ne was dealing with Tilton, who had shown
m ne eGx ast o 1Sss anu
letter from Mr.. Beecher, nor an act OF his now
ever iiludged through these tour years OF anxiety
plain theory that he was fighting to suppress nm
outrageous scandal which consisted OF a iase ac-
cusatlon against him made 10y reputable woman:
and. further, that he was endeavoring to help a
man whom ne felt he had unduy injured in
business matters upon representations which he
| ton, were not well founded.
The statement OF this branch OF the case would
not be complete without reference to the fact that
Mr.. Beecher had q warm friendship for Mrs. rilton.
which began in her early womanhood. and that
Mrs. Tilton. reciprocatng this friendship, began,
as her domestic troubles came On to look more
Tnat this feeling, on Mrs TIiton's part, became,
under the circumstances, so strong as to diminish
the proper influence that belongs to every good
In the course OF events, and especially in Decem-
Der. 1870, Mr.. Beecher received the impression
Mrs. Tilton's affections from her husband fhe
possibility that such fact as this might be added
Beecner constituted as he expressed 1t IN his let
Ter OF February 8, In part. one OF "tne environ
occasion OF great grief ana anguish. Mr.. Beecher
conceived tnat possibly he had been derect in
pressing at once any undue affection for him on
the part OF this distressed Christian woman yearn-
ing Tor sympathy that she found not IN her house.
A MILD CRNsURE.
And we cannot but express our regret at two
errors INTO which 1t Is apparent Mr. Beecher fell.
While we recognize the appalling disaster which
seemed Imminent when he was confronted by q
prolessedly injured husband with charge on the
part OF his wife OF an impure proposal fIom him to
her-a disaster which threatened TO brand with
iniamy name which, through years OF public
service phianthropst and minister OF Cod,
had maintained the most hOnored place in
the worlds esteem-yet we eel that In an
hour OF such Generalization as this calamity IN ght
justly work, the pastor should have sought counsel
from Christian men Of his own brotherhood. rather
q n
knew so little and whose character, as the sequel
proved, he so sadly mlsudged
And 1t Is also apparent from Mr.. Beecher's own
statement, in view OF the profound sorrow into
which he was plunged and the expression which
guarding so closely his relations with the family OF
Mr.. Tilton that there could be no possibility Cor
lear IN his own mind even OF an undue affection
by Mrs Illton for him, through any needless friend
ship or agency OF his;
Mr.. Ttlton In his statement before the commit
tee, speaks OF hts home as one Of unusual harmony
It clearly appeared 1t was anything but happy or
Tilton's credibihty and as showing the character
OF Mrs. Tllton's domestic troubles, and the innu-
ences that reached her daily life.
Her painful testimony reveals q jealous husband
accusing her OF lnfidelites with different and
Of I'm s sensual influence Saa upon an She de-
write. CONCESSIONS which she herself did not under.
locked her up and declared himself ashamed
whose society WAS more assrastve 5ense o
him. Her account reveals '' him MN fuil
negeosfal in Ser llness; forcing dsrepntaS6 M
women into her society. TIL sometimes sne ned for
80 he aa e To asow }o
| commit adultery on his lecturing tours whenever
ne ye ~ and na @
his wife. THIS is dismal revelation from the
idea! home :" but one cannot read it and believe
1t possible that she has invented this recital Of her
husbands character and life.
This account Of the domestic misery OF the Ttlton
witnesses, and very fully by Miss ELIZABETH A.
Turner, who Is now twenty three years OF age, and
young woman is a teacher Of music in a ladies'
seminary In Pennsylvania. She Is person OF
ner nere tSe impressed All whn
her testify that she was sincere and reliable, and
well understood the lacts OF which she was speak
The con dition OF this family in connection with
the distressing circumstances referred to, and
that appear IN the history OF this dif1cuty, con-
splred to make the occasion one full of peril. not
only to Mr.. Beecher, but to Others whom he felt
bound to protect to the last moment to say
! nothing OF the great interests OF his beloved
Plymouth church, and other interests OF high con-
Germ. all Of which must be involved II publicity
should be given to the false and scandalous matter
that was seeking expression from the heated and
malicious mind oil Theodore Tilton.
BEECHER's BLACKMAn.
viii innocent men pay olaokmaily win innocent
men and sspscsy ngs as or their
though 1t be born Of extorton, lalsehood and re-
venge These are questions that unhapplly his
tory has TOO often answered In the Affirmative
Of men Tiiton and Moulton are, to wonder
upon the record made by this sad story, we leel
heart OF our pastor, the severest censure. And
this not the less because we revere and love him
loved lit It is, we might say, because he is SO be.
loved-because that in him centres SO many and
so great interests Of Church and humanity-be..
master minds. Of eloQuence and power, tnat we
would chide him in no uncertain words for mper-
ling so much and so often the precious interests
con1ded to him by the God who made him. and
who we have unsnaken faith to believe will deliver
The charge made BY the accuser is one easily
preferred and not easily disproved. 1t Is not
charge; now let 1t be dispr0ved or be taken as con.
iessed:" All tribunals, both ecclesiastical and
legal IN their wisdom have required IN determin,
circumstances as point unmistakably to the guilt
OF the accused and as are not consistent with any
Greenleat, one of the best writers known to our
JURISPRUDENCE, and especially on rules OF evidence,
says:-
In every almost the fact Is inferred from
a It s M ns case as ans s
this were SO held no protection whatever could be given
Be
e. o moss be m
fsnt al time Is % to
fed by the situation and character of the parties by
the state Of general manners and by many other incl
dental circumstances, apparently slight and delicate IN
themselves but which may have most important bear
ings decisions upon the particular case. The only
general rule that be laid down the subject Is
that the circumstances must be such as would lead the
concusion for it not to lead rash and ntemperste
Judgment moving upon appearances that are equally
capable OF two Interpretations.
Greenleaf further illustrates the kind OF avi-
dence required to prove adultery as follows:-
Adultery OF the wife may be proved by the b tn a
child of the husband, he being
realm. Adultery Of the husband may be proved by
habits of aduterOus intercourse and by the brth
tcnance and acknowledgment Of q child. married
going into known brothc raises suspicion oil aoui.
terry be rebutted only the very best evidence
going there and remaining alone for some time in
room with q prostitute Is sufficient proof of the
crime. 1hc circumstance Of q woman going TO such
place with man furnishes similar proof OF adultery.
These citations are pointed, but useful
Under the guidance 81 these pfecedents and