Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-29
Mr. Beecher's Statement.

HulihNhiVu vi AlN itul"th""iN 'e'F-i'N'' ~ 49,
Theodore 1iion, made before the committee OF
investigation, and which appeared in the
Brooklyn Argus Of July 81, 1871. recog-
nizo the many reasons which make 1t Of
transcendont Importance to myself, the church,
and the cause Of public morality, that shall
give full answer to the charges against me-
But having requested the committee ol inves-
tigatlon TO search this matter TO the bottom, 1t
is 70 them that must look for my ylndicatlon.
But | cannot delay, for m hour, to defend
the reputation Of Mrs. Elizabeth X. Iil,on'
upon whose name, in connection with mine'
her husband has attempted 70 pour shame
One less deserving OF such disgrace never
knew From childhood She has Oeen unaer
my cyc,aud since reaching "omanhooo sue mas
had my sincere odmtailon and ahee'Ion' !
cherish Tor hera pure leo'ine' sach a' sehue'
man might nonoa''y oIsr 70 a. Oht'''''n
woman, and which She might rcoe''c ana re-
cIprocate without m'rol scTnp'e. J. reJec' WIN
indignation every mpuioiion winch reflects
upon her honor or my own.
Ny regard ior Mrs lilton was perfectly well
known TO my family " hen serious uiicui-
ucs 'pTang up 'n heI h'1-''o'a' '' was TO my
wife that 'he rcsoriei Tor counsel ana Oo'h oil
us, acting from sympathy ana as " supsc-
quenuy appeared without iuii knowledge
gave unad'ised counsel which tended 70 harm
! have no doubt That Mr. lil'on found that
bis wiio's confidence and reliance upon my
Judgment bad greatly in''ca'cd' While hi' M
lucuee had diminished 10 consequence ol
marked change 10 his religious ana social
views which was taking place during those
years Her mind was greatly exercised lest
her children should be harmed by views which
She deemed vitality false and dangerous
was suddenly aud mdcly aroused to tho re,
/ ality OF impending danger by the disclosure oil
domestic distress oI sickness perhaps unto
death, OF tao Likelihood OF separation ana the
scattering Of % family every member OF which
| had tondcrIy loved. The effect upon me ol
the discovery of the state Of Mr lilton ieei-
/ ings, and the condition OF Dos iamiy' surpassed
in sorrow and excitement anything that h'u
ever experienced in my life. That my pres
cncc influence and counsel had brought to
beloved family sorrow and alienation gave IN
my then state Of mind poignancy to 10Y sui
Iering which ! hope n9 other man may ever
feel
Even TO be suspected OF having offered under
tho privilege Of a peculiarly sacred relation
an iudcc9rum 90 O wife and mother could not
but deeply wound any one who is sensitive
TO the honor OF womanhood.
There were peculiar reasons l1ralarm 10 this
case 90 other grounds, inasmuch as was then
subject 10 certain malignant rumors, and
lagrant outbreak 10 this family would bring
upon them au added injury derived from these
shameless alsohood-
Believing at the time that my presence and
counsels bad tended, however unconsciously, to
produce a social catastrophe, represented as
imminent, gave expression to my feelings in
an interview with a mutual friend, not in cold
and cautious soif-deiendiug words, but eagerly
taking blame upon myself, and pouring out
ms heart 70 my friend in the strongest Ian
. suage, 0yerburdencd with the eSaggerations Of
mpassioued sorrow Had been the evil man
+ Mr. Tilt0n now represents, should have been
calmer and more prudent, 1t was my horror
of the evil imputed that filed me with morbid
intensity AZ the very shadow Of it,
/ Not only was my friend affected generously
d but ho assured me that such exproasionr, II
conveyed 10 Mr. Tilt3n, would soothe wounded
feeling, alay anger and heal the whole trouble.
{ lie took down sentences and fragments Of what
f had been saying, to use them as a mediator.
b a full statement Of the circumstances under
p which this memorandum was made shall give
to the investigating committee.
S That these apologies were more than ample
e To- meet the facts Of the case is evident in that
5 they were accepted, that our intercourse re-
d sumed its liieudiines-, and Mr.. Iilton subse
Il |quently ratified it in writing, and that he ha,
- continued for four years, aud until within two
c weeks. to live with bis wife.
Il 1. il conceivable. ifthc original charge haC