The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-08-27
platonic Love.
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the ChlcaSo Tribune.
The graphic narrative from Gath" cf the
facts which he gathered relative - the
Beecher scandal, during his two days visit
to Mr.. Moulton and Theodore Tilto1, while
il throws food of light on many things
that have heretofore appeared mysterious,
brings out one fact With startling promin-
ence.-that is, the dangers which lurk abou.
tina. sentimental form of affection known a.
Platonic love. The whole drift of the tesii-
mony in this case, the statements of Mr..
Beccher and Mr.. Tilton, the incongruous
and conflicting testimony of Mrs. Tilton, and
the letters and documents which have thus
far been published, tend 10 STOW that the
attachment between Mr.. Beecher and Mrs.
TiltoD, when it first commenced, wa, one Of
sentiment and as Platonc as even Pla'o
himself might have taught in any of hi.
symPosiums. 1t is possible it might have re-
manned 30 had the conditions ben fayora-
b'e,-ihat is, had Mr.. Beecher and Mrs
Tilton been persons of equal strength of
mind and Of equal purity of purpose. Both
are sentiment.l in their ideas, and poeticsl
If not rhapsodical by nature; but beyond this
they are unlike in character. Mr.. Bsecher
II man built in strong mould; strong in
physique; strong in intellect; strong in the
power to facinaie others by the magnetism
OF his presence; a man entitled to be called
genius, if q man in the American pulpit
can be called such. Mrs. TIlton, ON the 9TH
er hand, has shown by her testimony, and
even by the letters written to her husband,
that che was weak, foolish woman, whose
reason is subservient to her emotions,
whose head is governed by her heart. As
Mr.. IiltOn and f1r. Beecher are of similar
tastes and purposes, although the former hss
TIE mainly frankness and boldness Of youth,
and the other the caution and evasion of age,
the opportunities for interviews between Mr..
Beecher and Mrs. Tilton we're well nigh un-
limited. Circumstances we're favorable for
the consumation of this intimacy. Mr..
Heecher is a religious teacher Of consumate
power and eloquence, and Mrs. Tilton is by
nature deeply religious person. Mr.
BeecLer is an eminently literary man, and
Mrs. Tilton is lover Of literature. The
Piatonic attachment, therefore. fed and
thrived upon religion and literature. Like
any strongly religious and weakly grounded
woman. she idealized Mr.. Beecher. He
gradually grew in her Imagination saint,
who could do no harm. If she ever had
scraPle, he oopid speedily remove it by the
assurance that no wrong could I've done under
the cloak of religion. lie ministered 10 her
literary pride by reading to her ard consult
ing with her upon Norwood" and the
Lille of Christ" and other matter he was
preparing for the pres; and the "Life OF
Christ" was subsequently, made a conven- |
lent vehicle for the forwarding of appoint |
ments when Mr.. Tilton was away. Thus,
whether Mr.. Beecher started out with an |
evil purpose or not, the Platonic friendship |
carried these two along until Mrs. Triton |
wished that 'Heaven had made her such
man." Having reached this point, il was
easy enough for her to believe that Heaven
had done this for her, and the strong mind,
more and more Influencing the weak one tie
catastrophe may have come unawares.
La nine cases out of ten, the catastrophe
overtakes Patonic friendships, especially be-
tween married people, or between a mar
ried person on the one hand, and a single
person on the other. 1t is doubtful whether
even the Platonic loves of Dante and Beat
rice, or Petrarch and Laura, If all the facts
were known, and they We're stripped Of all
the glsmor woven about them, would stand
the test Of strict morality. So long as love
is physiological emotion, 20 long must
PlatODic love sooner or later he rudeIy shat
tered, and leave Its victims flu,ie,ing in the
dirt with broken wings. This is the ineyi-
liable experience of the world, and the soon-
er the deIusion is broken up the batter it
will be for those who have sentiment in
heir composition. and are disposed to give
/ play for the purpose Of realizing the dog
mas Of Plato. There may be rare and gifted
ou,s who have a sentiment for each other
1ertectly pure and innocent, but these afin.
ties have no business in family. They do :
Tot consort with the cares, the labors, and
he duties of home. They may be pretty
N theory and beautiful in poetry and re-
nance, but they are destructive in practice
The only affinities that are safe are the ailin-
ties between husband and wife, Or husband
md wife to be; and any man or woman who
links he or she can indulge safely in an
'f6hity based OH sentiment alone may read a
very valuable lesson in the shattered home
IF Livingston street, the long catalogue of
niseries growing ont OF ii, and the insidious
influences which must result from il for Z
ong time to come. TIE yourg woman or
woman who frds herself besisged
~ Plato, especially q white-cravattsd one,
lad better betake herself to the wash-iub OF
ONE other form of labor not conducive 10
eminent, If she wishes TO be safe.