Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-08-21
THE GREAT SCANDAL.
(Cmlnued nom Fha Psae.l

coming article ehalowing an account Of dis.
,.TSS@Ss N nj ItqS spg 6g ThSEt IL
' Tilton'n influence with MrG Woodruff natl
N0yembcr, 1872. During this suspension Of her
PubllsqtignialIe becatne the hofqineof Mr.. Moul-
both Houses, with the toieration hut not tGe Cor
dial consent Of their wives. I heard the most
extrayagant eulogies upon her. She was repre-
scented as genins born and reared among rude
Influences, but only needed TO be Surrounded by
nature. d ala nds Rm know much "S about her aiid,
though my Impressions were unfayorable, her
world. met her three times htibs srst inicryicw
che was gracious At the second she was cold
and naughty but at the third she was angry and
threatening for had peremptorily refused TO pre-
side a. q lecture she was about TO give at Stein
way Hall. The most strenuous eadrte had becn
made BY both Tiitoa snd Moulton to induce me
TO preside at this lecture and to Identify myself
publicly with Mrs. Woodhnll. It was represent
ed to mo that need not, in doing, expressly
give assent to her doctrines, especially with re.
gard to the marriage relation, upon which point
she was beginning to be more explicit in opposl-
Christian men, entertained; but It was pisusibly
urged that could preside at the lecture and intro
dpce her upon the simple gonnd Of advocating
dcrstOod that she was about to avow doctrines
which ! abhor, would not be induced by this
nance, and after continuing to urge me up to the
very day of the meeting without any distinct
threats, but with obvious intimation that my
taking this advice Mr.. Tilton himself
went over TO New York and presided
gave vent, as 1 understand for the frst time
IN public to the full exposition of her free-lUye
doctrines The very thought that | should
and upon any excuse to preside or be present at
such meeting was inexpressibly Calling to me-
motive Of Nj Triton and Mr., 4ouitonY in asking
such thing, had not at the time as clear a
perception as 1 now have. The re.
quest was nevertheless humilatng AT about
the same time | found that the circle of which
Mrs; woodruff formed a part wa, the center Of
perpctuated with greedy and unciean appetite
for everything that was foul and vile.
=. MIR. Beecher here details his efforts to prevent
the scandal being made public which was threat
encd by the trial OF TiltOn by the church, and
says Of TtltOn; | was so determined to carry out
human power to save him even from himself, that
was ready to resign If that would stop the
scandal. wrote letter Of resignation, not re-
fcrring to the charge against me, but declaring
that had striven for years to maintain secrecy
concerning a scandal affecting a family in the
church, and that as | had failed / herewith re.
signed. This letter was never sent. A little camer
thought showed me how futile it would be to stop
the trouble, mere useless sacrifice; but showed
have found the original of ii in my house If
could at this moment remember any of the other
letters which have written to Mr.. Monlton !
would do So If he has reserved all my effusiOns
'Offceling he must have large collection.
wished him to bring them all before the commit
tee. should have been glad to get such hints ss
they may contain to refresh my recollection of
facis and sequences. l have no fear of their full
ana iair publication, for, though they would
grief and dependency, they do not con
tain line cOnfcssing such guilt as has
been charged upon me, or q word incon-
sistcnt with my innocence, nor any other
spirit than that of a generous remorse over
a great and more and more irreparablc evil. But
however intense and numerous may be these ex-
prcssions of grief, they cannot possibly ever state
the anxiety which constantly felt for the future,
the perls of which 1t is now clear did not exag-
Eeratc. nor the and remOrSc which felt
originally on account of the injury which sup
posed had unwittngly done to beloved family,
came satisfied had done BY my unwise. Bind,
and useless Efforts to remedy that injury, only as
IL proved, at the expense of my own name, 1.-The
happiness ofry own family and the peace ofmy
own church.
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: In the note re.
questing your appointment l asked that YOU
should make a full Investigation OF all the
sources of information. You are witnesses that
have in no way influenced or interfered with
your proceedings or duties. | have wished the
could unsette its results l have nothing
10 gain by any policy of suppression or com.
promise For, four years ! have borne and
rod or yoke. II any man would do me a favor,
let him tell all he knows now. 1t is not mine-t0
lay down the law of honor in regard to the use o;
other persons confidential communications, hu
in 50 Tar as my own writings are concerned there
Is not letter or document which am afraid to
have exhibited, and L authorize any, and call
upon any living person, to produce and
print forthwith whatever writings they have, OF
any source whatever. 1t is time, for the sake
of decency and public morals, that this matter be
brought to an end. 1t is an open pool of corrup-
ton, cxhaling deadly vapOrs. For sixweeks the
nation has risen up and sat down upon scandal
Not a great war nor revolution could more have
hicd the newspapers than this question OF
domestic trouble, magnifed a thousand fold
and ike sore spot in the human body, drawing
to itself every morbid humor in the blood Who
ever is buried with it, it is time that this abom
nation be buried below all touch power o.
resurrection.