Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-28
TILTON-BEECHER.
TELTON'S SWORN STATE
MENT,
He Charges Beecher With Free
LQVeism

LQveism
NEW YORK. July 21.-The following
letter of Theodore Tilton to the inves
tigating committeehas been published
He says that while Beecher possessed
perfect knowledge of both his offense
and apology, he has chosen to put or
public affectation of Ignorance and
innocence concerning them, and has
conspicuously appointed committee
of six of the ablest men of his church,
together with two attorneys, to in.
qulre into what he leaves the commit
tee to regard as the unaccountable
mystery OF this offence and apology,
as if lac had neither committed the
one nor offered the other, but as if
both were the mere Pigments of anoth-
er mans imagination, thus adroitly
prompting the public to draw the de.
ductiOn that. Tilton was a person un-
der some hailucination and delusiou.
living in a dream, and forging a fraud
Furthermore, in order to cast over
this explanation the delicate pIamor
which always lends charmer the de-
tense of wOman's honor. Mrs. Eliza
beth r. Tilton, lately my wife. has
been prompted away from her home to
reside among MIR. Beecher's friends,
and to cooperate with him in this os-
tensibly honest and laudable inquiry
into facts concerning which she as
well as he, has for yeals past had per-
feet and equal knowledge with him.
self. This investigation, therefore,
has been publicly pressed upon me by
Beecher, seconded by Mrs. Titon,
both of whom, in so doing, have unit
ed in assuming before the public the
nOnexistence of the grave and solemn
facts TITO which they have conspired
to investigate for the purpose, not of
elicitiDg but of denying the matter
This joint assumption by them, which
has seemed to the committee to be in
good faith, has naturally led the COM
mittee into an examination in which
the committee expect to find on their
part nothing but innocence, and OH
Tilton's part nothing but SANDER
TiltOn then says: 1t is now his un-
happy duty to give the facts and evil
dences to the committee for reversing
their opinion. He charges Mrs. Til
ton with joining Bcecher in a conspi-
racy which cannot fail to be full of
peril and Indebtedness to many par
ties. The last opportunity for recon-
citation and settlement has passed.
Tilton says Of Beecher. ''This des-
perate man must hold himself only,
and not me, accountable for the
wretchedness which these disclosures
will carry TO his own home and hearth,
as they have already brought to mine
and will add, that the original dCcu-
ments referred to in the enusing sworn
statement are for the most part in my
possession, but that the apology and a
few other papers are in the hands of
Francis d. Moulton."
Tilton then swears to several state
ments, among them the following:
First. That on the 2nd of October,
1s55, at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn,
a marriage between Theodore TiIton,
and Elizabeth NJ Richards was per-
formed by Rev. Henry Ward Beech
er, which marriage thirteen years af-
forwards, was dishonored and violated
by this clergyman, through the GRIM
inal seduction of the wife and mother
hereinafter set forth.
Second. That for period of about
fifteen years, extending both before
and after this marriage, an intimate
friendship existed between Theodore
Tilton and Rev. Henry Ward Beech
er, which friendship was cemepted to
such a degree, that in consequence
thereof the dishonoring by Mr.. Beech
er of his friend was crime of uncom-
mon wTongfulness and perfidy.
Third-That about nine years ago,
the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher began
and kept up thereafter a friedship
with Mrs. Elizabeth r. Tilton, for
whose native delicacy aud extreme re-
ligious sensibility, he often expressed
to her husband Il high admiration, Wis
iting her from time to time for years,
until the year 1870, when for reasons
hereinafter stated, he ceased such Wis
its, during which period, 10y many to-
kens and attentions, he won the affec-
ton and love of Mrs. Tilton, whereby,
after long moral resistance by her
and after repeated assaults he accom-
plished the possession of her person,
maintaining with her thcuceforward,
during the period hereinafter stated,
the relation called criminal intercourse
this relation being regarded by her du-
ring that period, as not criminal or
morally wrong, such had been the
pONCA vi Aiio 90 u SICt
man. to satisfy her religious scruples
against such relation of virtue and
honor.
Tilton makes other statements in
the same direction, showing The con-
tinued criminal intimacy between
Mrs. Tilton and AIr. Beecher. Pre-
vious to the autumn of 1868 she MAIN
tanned with christian firmness toward
her pastor, the position of resistance,
always refusing his amOrOus pleasures,
which were strong and oft repeated.
Tilton says thief suspicion which
crossed his mind that Beecher was
abusing or might abuse the affections
and reverence which Mrs. Tilton bore
toward her pastor, was an improper
caress given by Beecher to Mrs. Til
ton, while seated by her side on the
floor of his library, overlooking en-
cravings. Tilton gives some disgust
ing details further, to prove the GRIM
inality of his wife.