The New York herald., 1874-09-19

Mr.. Beecher's case in that perous hour had been
conducted by the present committee OF six, on
their novel plan OF acquitting at ali hazards the
trial
WOULD HAvE PROVEN HIN GUILTY.
with wise sagacity, therefore, Mr.. Beecher
sought TO keep me from that trial in oroer TO
mn, himself nom that ruin. well remember how, at
that time, ne spoke OF his anxious and sleepess
nights, iu OF lear and apprehension at the possi-
pie failure OF ms cunning attempt to prevent the
coming en- Of a trial which, at the same time he
had to pretend TO invite.
Furthermore, Mr. Beecher, evidently sharing, the
conviction OF the committee that possessed no
official copy OF Mr.. Vests charges and specihca-
tons, veutured to speak OF Mr.. Vests fearful In
dlctment as follows, namely, that iJ
presented no square issues upon which his (Mr.
Beechersl guilt or innocence could be trled.n
Ana yet what issues could he more pointed and
directY II clergyman is openly accused OF adul-
terry, and the indictment gXes specifications.
names, dates and witnesses. does not the case
when say that
MR.. BEECHER FEARED AND DREADED
tne prospect OF that trial. not because the "lssues
were not square," but, on the contrary, because
the issues were so sharp and clear cut that he
dared not cast himself on their rough and ragged
edge.n
MIR. Tton criucises Mr. Beecher's treatment OF
Mrs. Tilton in making her virtually the subject OF
church investigation by his se-appolnted COM
mittee, and continues to contrast his trilton's)
views OF the marriage tie with that OF the minis
ter VINO performed the wedding ceremony be-
tween Mrs. Mcfarland and Richardson, and goes
on TO state that his Q1ton's) and Moulton's con-
necton with Mrs. woodruff were in the interest
and at the request Of MIR. Beecher, in order to
screen MN from her publication OF what she knew
BEECHER's CONFESSION
In my sworn statement made oath to the fact
that
MIR. BEEcHEE CONFESSED TO ME
bis criminal intimacy with Mrs. nlton. will state
the substance OF this confession, which was often
renewed and repeated
On the night OF December 80, 1870, during my
interview with him at Mr.. Moulton's house, he re-
celved my accusation without denial and con-
1essed IT oy his asserting manner and grief.
IN tue apology written January l, 1871. which ne
sent 10 me through Mr.. MOulton, his contriton
and had become acquainted with his guilt
During the subsequent personal interview which
took place between Mr.. Beecher and myself at Mr..
Moultons house few mornings alterward, Mr..
Beecher In set terms spoke to Mr.. Moulton and
myself OF the agony ana remorse when he had
brought ruin and blight upon Elizabeth and her
family. He
BURIED HIS FACE IN HIS HANDS AND wEPr,
saying that he ought TO bear the whole blame, be-
cause from his ripe age and sacred ofce. he was
unpardonaby culpable in leading her astray. He
assured me that during the earlier years OF his
friendship for Elizabeth he and she had no sexual
commerce with each other and that the latier
feature Of their intimacy had been maintained be-
tween them not much over year, and less than q
year and hall.
He sad to me that must do with him what I
would-he would not resist me-but that If could
possibly restore Elizabeth to my love and respect
ne % wGud ee the keen edge ms sd
permit tue coming pew renting TO proceed, and
said tnat II INSISTED on his resignation he would
was my bitter enemy and would easily become his
own. and begged that she might not be informed
OF ms conduct. He SAID that ne had MeQltated sui
eide, and could not live to face exposure. He i'm
nlefed me TO give him my word that If clrcum-
stances should ever compel me 10 disclose his
secret would give him notice In advance, so that
he might take some measure, either by death or
hight to hide himself from the worlds gaze. He
said that he had wakened as from sleep, ana
lkened himself to one sitting dizzy and distracted
on the
YAwNING EDGE OF HE'LL.
He said that he would pray night and day for Eliza
beth. that ner heart might not be utterly broken,
and that God would inspire me to restore her to
her lost place In my home and esteem
All this, and more like 1t, TOOK place In the in
tervlew or WhicR speak, including his voluntary
proposition to mend Ger tain Ill work which he had
done in giving to MIR. Bowen false reports against
Shortly aiterward sent for Mr.. Beecher to come
10 my mouse TO hold an interview with me on a
subject which shrink from mentioning here, yet
which the truth compels me to state. In June,
1869, child had been born to Elizabeth r. Tlton.
In view OF Mrs. TiltOn's subsequent disclosures to
me, made July 8, 1s7O-namey, that sexual rela-
tions between Mr.. Beecher and herself had begun
october 10, 1861 wished to question Mr. Beecner
settle
THE DOUBTFUL PATERNITY OF THE CHILD.
This interview he held with me In my study, and
during portion Of 1t Mrs. rilton was present
They both agreed on the date at which their
seXua! commerce had begnn-namely, Ocl Ober 10,
1s6s-Mrs. Tllton herself being the authority ana
referring again, as she had done before, TO her
diary.
Certain facts which Mr. Beecher gave me on
that OCCASION concerning his criminal connection
with Mrs. I1lton-the times, the places, the ire
quency, together with other particulars which |
reel q repugnance TO name-l must pass over; but
] cannot iorbear to mention again as | nave
stated heretofore, that Mr.. Beecher always TOOK
the blame to himself, never imputing 1t TO Eliza
beth; and never TIL he came before the lnvesti-
gatng committee DID he put forth the unmanly
preext that Mrs. Tllton had thrust her affections
on him unsougnt."
to the spring 0! 1874 Mr. Beecher frequently made
to me illusions, in Mr.. Moultons presence, to
which, he saio, God you'd never er' rt from his soul
for having corrupted so pure minded woman as
Elizabeth Tllton to her loss of honor, and also for
having violated the chastity OF friendship toward
myself ae his early and trusting friend.
Never have l seen such grief and contriton
manifested on q human count ntenance as | nave
often seen 1t on Henry Ward Beecher's in his
selI-reproaches Tor having accomplished Eliza
beth's ruin. The TACT that he suffered SO greatly
from constant lear OF an exposure OF his crime
made me sometimes almost forget the wrong
which he had done me, and filed my breast with
with himself. At every effort which made in
conjunction with Mr. Moulton to suppress inquiry
into the scandal Mr.. Beecher used to thank me
with gratitude that was burdensome to receive.
He always put himself before me in so detected,
had been tenlold harder man than | was
COULD NOT HAVE HAD lHE HEART TO STRIKE
HIM.
When wrote the letter to the church declining
to appear Tor trial on the ground that l had not
been for four years member, he met me the next
day at MIR. Moulton's house, and catching my right
hand IN Doth OF his, said with great feeling, ..TheO-
dore, God himself inspired you to write that let
ter.u
When, at a later PERIOD in the same house, he
gave me the first intimation OF the coming Coun-
Gil, ne SAID, Theodore, II you Will not turn upon
me DIR. Storis cannot harm me, and shall owe
my lie once again to your kindness"
could record many different expressions and
acts or Mr.. Beecher like those which have above
given to show his perpetual and never-relieved
distress OF mind through lear OF the exposure Of
his adultery, accompanied by constant ana
growing lear that could not really forgive him.
and must sooner or later bring him TO punish
ment.
ought TO say that sometimes half suspected
that Mr.. Beecher's exhibitions TO me Of profound
detection and heartDreak were
NOT REAL But FEIGNED
being or the nature OF Appeals TO my sympathles,
winch he knew were always readily aroused at
the sight OF distress But Mr.. Mouton never ad-
mltted any doubt OF Mr. Beecher's real penitence,
and this was one OF the reasons why Mr. MouIton
sought so Zealously to shield this sorrowful man
from the consequences OF his SIN.
l close this section by declaring, with solemn
sense OF the meaning OF my words, that Mr..