The New York herald., 1874-08-14
MIR. BEECHER's STATEMENT.


ment q .dressed TO the public on the 22d Of July
last gave an explicit, comprehensive aud solemn
denial to the charges made by Theodore Tllton
against me. That denial now repeat and re-
affirm. also stated IN that communication that
l should appear before your committee with q
more detailed statement and explanation OF the
facts In the For this the time hes now come
Four years ago Theodore Tlton fell from one of the
proudest editorial chairs in America, where he
represented the cause of religion humanity
and patriotism, ana in ~ few months
thereafter became the associate ana repre-
sentative Of Victoria woodruff ana the priest
OF her strange cause. BY his follies he was bank
rupt In reputation. in occupation, and In re-
sources. The interior history, OF which lam now
about to give brief outline, is the history Of his
attempts to so employ me as to renstats him in
business, restore his reputation. and plaes him
AGAIN upon the eminence from wtitch ne had fallen.
1t is q sad history. to the full meaning Of which
have but recently awakened. Entanged in will
derness OF complications followed until lately O
false theory and delusve hope. belle wing that the
friend who assured me OF his determination and
ability to control the passionate vagaries OF Mr..
Tton, to restore his household to rebuild his for
tunes and to indicate me, would be equal to that
PROMISE
THE sELF-CONFESSRD FAILURA
His selfconfessed failure has made clear to me
what for q long time 1 did not suspect-the real
motive OF Mr.. Tilton. My narrative does not rep
resent Q single standpoint only az regards my
opinion Of Theodore Ttlt0n. II begins at nv cor
dial intimacy with him In his earlier career, shows
my lamentation and sorrow1ul but hopeful aHec-
tion for him during the period Of his initial wan
derings from truth and virtue. It describes my
repentance over evils Detailing him Of which was
made to believe myself the cause; my persevering
and finally despairing efforts to save him and his
family by any sacrifice Of myself not absolutely
dishonorable, and my growing conviction
that hts perpetual follies and blunders
rendered his recovery impossible. can now see
that he is and has been from the beginning Of this
dit1lculty selfish and reckless schemer. pursuing
a plan Of mingled greed ana hatred, and weaving
about me network OF suspicious misunderstand-
ings plots and lies to which my own innocent
words and acts, nay, even my thoughts OF Kindness
toward him have been made to contribute. These
successive views OF him must be kept In view 10
explain my course through the last four years.
That Twas blind SO long to the real nature Of the
intrigue going on around me was due partly to my
own overwhelming public engagements, partly to
my complete surrender Of this affair and all
papers and questions connected with 1t into the
hands Of Mr.. Moulton, who was intensely conf
dent that he could manage 1t successfully. I suf-
was chary to me OF Mr. riton's confidence TO him,
reporting to me occasionally in general way, Mr..
Tilton's moods and outbreaks Of passion only as
elements OF trouble which he was able to control
and as additional proofs OF the wisdom of leaving
1t to him. His comment OF the situation seemed
to me at the time complete, immersed q was in
incessant cares and duties, and only too glad to
be relieved from considering the details Of and
wretched complications the origin and the fact OF
which remain, spite Of all friendly Intervention,
perpetual burden to my soul. l would not read
in the papers about it, would not talk about 1t.
made Moulton for long period my conndant
and my only channel OF information.
ruToN AN gNEMY.
From time TO time suspicious were aroused In
me by indications that Mr.. rlton was acting the
part of an enemy. But the suspicious were re-
peare dly alayed by his own behavior toward me
IN other moods and the assurances OF Mr. Moulton,
who ascribed the circumstances to q misunder-
standing or to malice on the part OF others Il is
plain to me now that 1t was not until Mr.. Tilton
had allen into disgrace and lost his salary that he
thought 1t necessary 70 assail me with charges
which he pretended to nave had In mind for six
months. The domestic offence which he
alleged was very quietly and easily
put aside, tut yet In such way
as to keep my feelings stirred up, tn order that
might through my friends, be used to extract
from Mr.. Bowen $1,000, the amount OF claim in
dispute between them. The check for that sum
In hand, Mr.. Tlton signed an agreement Of peace
an concord, not made by me, but accepted by me
as sincere. The Golden Age had been started He
had the capital to carry 1t on Tor while. He was
sure that he was to lead great social revolution.
With returning prosperity, he had, apparently, no
griefs which could not be covered by his signature
covenant. made by him before signing 1t, and |
represented 10 me as necessary, merely TO relieve |
him from the imputation OF having originated and |
circulated certain old and shameless ISLANDERS |
about me, were really made, as now appears, to |
leave him Tree Tor future operations upon me and |
against me. SO long as he was, or thought he was,
on the road 70 new success his conduct toward
me was as friendly as he knew how to make 1t.
His assumption OF superiority and magnanimity !
and his patronlxipR manner were tribes vt which !