The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-28
THEODORE Triton.
BEECHER,S REPLIES.

HE FURNISHES A MEMORANDUM FOR PUBL
CATI0N-THE CHARGE DENIED-HIs EX-
PLANTATION.
NEW YORK, July 22.-This evening several
of the descons of Plymouth Church, with
Mr.. Sherman, Mr.. Ross and Gen. Tracy,
met at Mr.. Beecher's house, and, after a
cou neil lasting about three hours, drew up
the following statement of Mr.. Beecher for
publications: 81 do not prepare at
this time detailed examination of the re-
markable statement of IT. Triton made be-
fore the committee of investigation, and
which appeared in print July q, 1874. l
recognize the many reasons which
make it of transcendant importance to my
SELF the church and the cause of public
morality that shall give a full answer TO
the charges AGAINST ME. But having re-
quested the committee or investigation to
search this matter to the bottom it is to them
that must look for vindication. But /
could not delay for an hour to defend
the reputation of Mrs. Elizabeth r..
Tilton, upon whose name in.
connection with mine her husband has at
tempted to pour shame. One less deserving
of such disgrace l never knew. From child
hood she has been under my eye, and since
reaching womanhood she has had my sincere
admiration and affection. / cherish
for her pure feeling, such as
| a gentleman might honorably offer to
christian woman, and which she might re-
ceive ard reciprocate without moral scruple.
/ reject with indignation every imputatioD
which reflects upon her honor or my own.
| My regard for Mrs. I. was perfectly
well known to my family. When serious
difficulties sprang up in her household 1t
was to my wife that she resorted for
counsel, and both of us acting from sympa-
| thy, and as it subsequently, appeared
WITHOUT FULL KSowLEDGE,
gave unadvised counsel which tended to
harm. I have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton
found that his wife's confidence and reliance
upon my judgment had greatly increased
while his influence had diminished.
In consequence of a marked change in her
religious and social views which was
taking place during those years, her mind
was greatly exercised lest her children
should be harmed by the views which
she deemed virtually false and dam
gerous. i was suddenly and rudely
aroused to the reality of the impending dan
ger Dy the disclosure OF the domestic dis
| tress, of The sickness, perhaps unto death,
| of the likelihood of separation and scattering
of a family, every member OF which L had
tenderIy loved. The effects apon me
of the discovery of this state of
Mr.. Us feeling and the condition of his lam
| ilv surpassed in sorrow and excitement SDy-
| thing / had ever experienced in my life.
| That NV presence, influence and counsel
had brought to a beloved family sorrow and
alienation, gave in my then state of
mind a poignancy to my suffering
/ which hope no other man may ever feel !.
\ Even to be suspected of having offered un-
/ der the privileges ofpeculiarly sacred rela-
ton an indecorum to a wife and mother,
could not but deeply wound one who is sen
sitive to the honor of womanbood. There
were peculiar reasons for alarm in this case,
| on other grounds, inasmuch as / was then
subject to certain malignant threats and a
| fragrant outbreak in this family would bring
upon them an added injury derived from
l these shameless falsehoods. Believing
/ at the time that my pres
ence and c0unsels had tended.
| however unconsciously to produce social
| catastrophe, represented as Imminent, L
gave expression to my feelings in an inter
view with mutual friend, not in cold and
| cautious, self-defending words, but eagerly
taking blame upon myself, and pouring
out my heart to my friend in the strongest
/ language overburdened with the exaggera-
tions of impassioned sorrow. Had been
the evil man Mr.. Tilton now represents,
should have been calmer and more prudent
/ 1t was my horror of this evil imputed
that filled me with morbid intensity
at the very shadow Of it. Not only was my
friend affected generously, but he assured
me that such expressions if conveyed to