Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-22

ticnlar she said that she had Deeh on the
noint of making this confession a few
menths previously, during severe Illness
when she feared she might die. she
affirmed also that Mr.. Beecher had told
her repeatedly that he loved her better
than he had ever loved any other woman
and she felt justified before God in her IN
timacv with him, save the necessary de-
ceit which accompanied it, at which she
Frequently suffered in her mind.
Ninth, that after the above named con-
fession by Mrs. Elizabeth X Iiiton, she
returned to the country to await SUCH &C
ton by her husband as he might see TIT to
take; whereupon, after many considera-
ations, the chief of which was that she
had not voluntarily gone astray, but had
been artft1lly misled through religious
reverence for the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
as her spiritual guide, together, also, from
a desire to protect the family from open
shame, Mr. Titon condoned the wrong,
and he addressed to his wife such letters
of affection, tenderness and respect as he
felt would restore her wounded spirlts,and
which did partially produce that result
Tenth, that in December, 1870, differ
ences arose between Theodore Tilton and
Henry G.. Bowen, which We're augmented
Mrs. Beecher, in consequence whereof and
at the wish of Mrs. Elizabeth r. Tilton
expressed in writing, on paper, put into
the hands of Mr.. Francis d. Moulton,
with view to procure a harmonious in
teryiew between Mr.. 1iltOn and Mr..
Beecher, such an interview was arranged
and carried out by Mr.. Moulton at his then
residence on Clinic street, Mr.. Tilton and
Mr.. Beecher meeting and speaking then
and there for the first time since Mrs. Til
toms confession of six months before.
The paper in Mr.. MOulton's hands was a
statement by Mrs. Tilton of the substance
of the confession, which she had before
made, and of her wish and prayer for
reconciliation and peace between her pas
tor and her husband This paper furnished
to Mr. Beecher the first knowledge which
he had as vet received that Mrs. TiltOn
had made such n confession.
At this interview between Mr.. Bpecher
and Mr.. Tilton, permission was sought by
Mr. Beecher to consult with Mrs. Tilton
on that same evening. This permission
being granted, Mr.. Beecher departed from
Mr.. Moulton's house and in about half an
hour returned thither, expressing his re-
morse and shame, and declaring that his
life and work seemed brought to sudden
end. Later in the same evening, Mr.. Ill
ton ON returning to his house found his
wife weeping and in great distress, saying
that what had meant for peace had only
given pain and anguish; that Mr.. Beecher
had Just called ON her declaring that she
had slain him, and that he would probably
be tried before Il council Of ministers. I'M
less she would give him written paper
for his protection; whereupon she said he
dictated to her and she copied. in her own
handwriting, n suitable paper for him to
use to clear himself before Il council of
ministers. Mrs. Tilton having kept no
copy of the paper, her husband asked her
to make distinct statement in writing. of
her design and meaning in giving it, |
whereupon she wrote rs follows:
December 80. 1S7O.-N1idnight
Ny Dear Husband Il desire to leave
with you before going to bed, statement
that Mr.. Henry Ward Beecher called upon
me this evening, and asked me if | would
defend him against any accusation in I
council of ministers, and l replied solemn /
ly that l would in case the accuser was /
any other person than my husband. He |
Oh. w. b. } dictated Il letter. which copied /
rs my own, to be used by him rs against /
any other accuser except my husband. /
The letter was designed To vindicate Mr. /
Beecher against all other persons save on
ly yourself. | was ready to give him this .
letter because he said with pain that my
letter in your hands addressed to him. dat
ed December Goth, " had struck him dead /
and ended his usefulness You and /
are pledged to DO our best to save him. /
God grant a speedy end to al further
anxieties. /
Anecuionateiy, ELzABEru (
On the next December 81, 1870. Mr..
Moulton, on being informed BY Mr. Tilton
of the above named transaction by Mr..
Beecher, called on him (NIr Bee cher)
at his residence and told him that Il recon
Citation seemed suddenly made impossible
by Beecher's neflrious act in procuring
the letter which Mrs. Tilton had thus been
persuaded to make falsely.
Mr.. Beecher promptly through Mr. Moul-
ton returned the letter to Mr. Tilton. with
expressions of shame and sorrow for hay
ing procured it in the manner he did. The
letter was as follows:
December 80. 1870.
Wearied by importantly. and weakened
by sickness, [ gave letter duplicating
my friend Henry Ward Beecher. under as
that it would remove all difficult
ties between me and my husband That \
letter | now revoke. | was persuaded to +
it, almost forced, when | was in Il weak
ened state of mind | regret it, and recall |
all its statements. | desire to say. explic- I!
lily, that Mr.. Beecher has never offered /
any improper solicitation, but has always /
treated me in a manner becoming Chris /
tian and Il gentleman.
ELIzABETH Il. TrLToN
AT the time of Mr. Beecher's returning
the above document, through Mr. Moulton |
MI. Beecher requested Mr.. Moulton to call |
at his residence on Columbia street. on the /
next day, which he did. A long interview /
then ensued, in which Mr.. Bcecher ex-
pressed to Mr.. Moulton great contrition /
and remorse for his previous criminalitv |
with Mrs. Tilton, taking to himself shame /
for having misuSed his sacred office rs |
clergyman, to corrupt her mind, express
ing determination to kill himself in case |
of exposure, and begging Mr.. Moulton to
take pen and receive from his (AIr |
Beecher's9 lips an apology to be conveyed |
to Mr.. Tilton in hope that such an appeal |
would secure Mr.. Tilton's forgiveness. |
Tie apology which Mr.. Beeehcr dictated |
to Mr.. Moulton was rs follows:
Mr.. Beecher's apology, in trust with F.
d. Moulton: My dear friend Moulton: | |
ask through you Theodore Tilton's for
giveness, and humble myself before him
as | do before my God. He would have |
hava been better man in my circumstan-
ces than have been. | can ask nothing |
except that he will remember all the other !
breasts that would ache. | will not plead |
for myself even wish that l were dead. |
Others must live to suffer. | will die be- |
fore any one but myself shall be inculpat
ed. All my thoughts are running out
toward my friends and toward the poor
child lying there and praying with her
folded hands. She is guiltless, sinned |
against, bearing the transgre>sion of an
other. l humbly pray to God TO put it |