The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-23
THE BEECHER SCANDAL.
Statement by RevS Henry
Ward Beecher.
BROOKLYN, July %.

}
residence of Mr.. Beecher, and after a
counsel lasting about three hours, drew
up the following statement of Mr.. Beech
ers for publication:
don't propose at this time detailed
examination of the remarkable statement
of Theodore Tilton, made before the
committee of investigation, and which
appeared in print July DIST, 1874. |
recognize the many reasons which make
! it of transcendant Importance to myself,
/ the church. and the cause of public
morality that | shall give full answer
! to the charges against me, but having re-
quested the committee of investigation to
search this matter to the bottom, it Is to
them that l must look for my vindica-
! ton. but cannot delay for an hour 10
/ defend the
Reputation of Mrs. E. r. Tilton,
/ upon whose name, in connection with
mine, her husband has attempted to pour
! shame One less deserving Of such dis
grace | never knew. From child
hood she has been under my
eve and since womanhOod she
| has had my sincere admiration
/ and affection. | cherish for her Il pure
feeling such gentleman might honora-
| blv offer to christian woman, and
which she might receive and reciprocatc
without moral scruples. reject with in
dignation every imputation that reflects
npon her honor or my own. My regard
for Mrs. Tilton was perfectly well known
10 nv family. When serious difficulties
sprang up with her husband, it wa, to my
wife she resOrted for counsel, and both of
us, acting from sympathy, and it Subse-
quently appeared without full knowl-
/ edge, gave unadvised counsel which
! tended to harm.
Her Change in Sentiment.
have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton found
| that his wifc'S confidence and reliance
upon nv Judgment had greatly increased
while his influence had diminished, in
consequence of marked change in his
religious and social views which were
taking place during those years, Her
mind was greatly exercised lest her chill
! drca should be harmed by views which
! she deemed virtually false and dan
gerous. ! was suddenly and rudcly
aroused to the reality of the impending
| danger by disclosure of domestic dis
tres,, Of sickness, perhaps unto death, OF
the likelihood of the separation and scat
tering of family every member OF
which | had tcndcrly loved.
Beecher's Sorrow.
The effect upon me Of the discovery OF
the state of Mr.. TiltOn feelings and the
condition of his family, surpassed in Sor-
row and excitement anything | had
ever experienced in my life. That
NV presence, influence and counsel
had brought to the bcrcavcd family
sorrow and alienation gave, in my then
state Of mind n poignancy to my suffer-
ing which | hope no other man may
ever feel. Even to be suspected of having
offered, under the privileges of II pccu-
liarly sacred relation, an indcCorum to II
wife and mother, could not but deeply
woond any one who is sensitive for the
honor of womanhOod.
Malignant Rumors.
There were peculiar reasons for alarm
in this case on other grounds, inasmuch
rs | was then subject 10 certain mallg-
nant rumors and Ma
grant outbreak in this family
would bring upon them an added injury
derived from these shameless falschoods.
Believing at that time that my presence
and coursels had tended, however uncon-
sciorlslv, to produce social catastrophe
represented as imminent, | CAV" eNPr"~-
sion to my feelings in an
Interview with Mutual Friend.
not IN cold and cautious sclf-defending
words. but eagerly taking the blame
upon myself, and pouring out
nv heart to my friend IN
the strongest language, ov"rburd"n"d
by the cIaggcrations of impassloncd
sorrow. Had been the evil man MI.
Tilton now represents, ] should hav"
been calmrr and more prudent. 1t Wa
nv horror of this evil imputation that
fiGd me with morbid intensity mt tn"
very shadow of it,
not only Wa my friend affected gen
crously, but he assured Inr that such "H-
prrssions. if conveyed to Mr. TIIt"n,
would soothc the wounded f'clir IS, allay
his anger and
Heal the Whole Trouble.
He took down the sentence, and frag-
ments Of what ! had been saving. I" ~"
them a. a mediator \ full statement
of the circumstances under which tins
memorandum was made shall give Il
the investigating committee.
The Apology Accepted.
That these apologies were more than
annie To meet the facts of the case II ~.
ident in that they wor" accepted; that
our intercourse resumed it, frI"ndIInes.;
that Mr.. TiltOn subsequently, ratified II
in writing. and that he has continued fol
four YEAR. and until within
two weeks, to live with
his wife. l. it conceivabl,
if the original charge had been what is
now alleged that he would have con
doned the offence. not only with the
: mother Of his children but with hin
whom he believed to have wronged
them? The absurdity, a. well a, the
falsitv Of his story j. apparent when 1t J.
considered that Mr. Tilton now alleges
that he carried this guilty secret Of hi
/, wife's infdeIity for .iy months lockeC
up in his own breast, and that then h
divulged il 10 me only that Their
might be reconciliation with me- Mr
Tilton has since in every form of Ian
guage, and TO d multitude 0f witne-,e-
orally and in written statements, and il
printed documents, declared his faith il
his wifes purity.
seclusion Of Domestic Affairs.
2 After the reconciliation Of Mr.. TiltOI
= with me, every consideration Of propriet
e and honor demanded that the fault
trouble, should b. kept in that secluslo
which domestic affair have Il right I
( claim a. a sanctuary, and 10 seclusion
T was determined II should be confined
= Every line and word Of my prIyat