Connecticut western news., 1874-08-07
THE BEECHER.T1Lros SCANDAL.
A Letter of Denial from Henry Ward
 Beeoher.

A Letter of Denial from Henry Ward
 The letter of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, denying the charges made against him by Theodore Hilton, is as follows:
 I do not propose at this time de- tailed examination of the remarkable statement of MT. Theodore Hilton, made before the committee of investigation, and which appeared in the Brooklyn Argus of July 21, 1874. I recognize the many reasons which make it of transcendent importance to myself, the Church, and the cause of public moral ity, that I shall give a full answer to the charges against me. But having requested the committee of investiga- tion to search this matter to the bot tom, it is to them that I must look for my vindication. -
 But cannot delay for an hour to de- fend the reputation of Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hilton, upon whose name, in cennce- ton with mine, her husband has at- tempted to pour shame AGAGsA 5
 One less deserving of such disgrace I never knew. From childhood she has been under my eye, and since reaching womanhood she has had my sincere ad- miration and affection. I cherish for her pure feeling, such as gentleman might henorably offer to 8 Christian woman, and which she might receive and reciprocate without moral scruple. I reject with indignation every imputa- tion which reflects upon her honor or my own. - s
 My regard for Mrs. Hilton was per fectly. well known to my family. When serious difficulties sprang up in her household it was to my wife that she resorted for counsel ; and both of us, acting from sympathy, and, as it subse- quently appeared, without full knowl- edge, gave unadvised counsel which tended to harm. .,.- ....5s 5f.- -
 have no doubt that MT. Hilton found that his wife's confidence and reliance upon my judgment had greatly in- creased, while his influence had dimin- ished, in consequence of 8 marked change in his religions and social views which were taking place during those years. Her mind was greatly exercised lest her children should be harmed by views which she deemed vitally false and dangerous. -..
 I was suddenly and rudely aroused to the reality of impending danger by the disclosure of domestic distress, of sickness, perhaps unto death, of the likelihood of separation and the scat terjng of 8 family, every member of which I had tenderly loved. The effect upon me of the discovery of the state of MT. Tilton's feelings and the condi- tion of his family surpassed in sorrow and excitement anything that l had ever experienced in my life. That my pres ence, influence and counsel had brought to a beloved family sorrow and aliena- tion gave, in my then state of mind, a poignancy to my suffering which hope no other man may ever feel.
 Even to be suspected of having offer ed, under the privileges of peculiarly sacred relation, an indecornm to 8 wife and mother could not but deeply wound any one who is sensitive to the honor of womanhood. ,- There were peculiar reasons for alarm in this case on other grounds, inasmuch as was then subject to certain malig- nant rumors, and fragrant outbreak in this family would bring upon them an added injury, derived from these shameless falsehoods.
 Believing at the time that my pres- ence and counsels had tended, However unconsciously, to produce social ca tastrophe, represented as imminent, I gave expression to my feelings in an in- terview with mutual friend, not in cold and cautious self-defending words, but eagerly taking blame upon myself, and pouring out my heart to my friend in the strongest language, overburdened with the exaggerations of impassioned sorrow. Had been the evil man MT. Hilton now represents I should have been calmer and more prudent. It was my horror of the evil imputed that filled me with morbid intensity at the very shadow of it. -
 Not only was my friend affected gen. erously, but he assured me that such expressions, if conveyed to MT. Hilton, would soothe wounded feeling, allay anger, and heal the whole trouble. He took down sentences and fragments of what had been saying, to use them as mediator. A full statement of the circumstances under which this memo randum was made shall give to the Investigating committee.
 That these apologies were more than ample to meet the facts of the case is evident, in that they were accepted, that our intercourse resumed it's friend iness, that MT. Hilton subsequently, ratified it in writing and that he has continued for four years and until with in two weeks to live with his wife.
 Is it conceivable, if the original charge had been what is now alleged, that he would have condoned the of- fense. not only with the mother of his children, but with him whom he be- ieved to have wronged them? The absurdity as we'll as the falsity of this story is apparent when it is considered that MT. Hilton now alleges that he car ried this guilty secret of his wife's in- fidelity for six months locked up in his own breast, and that then he divulged it to me only that there might be re- conciliation with me MT. Triton has since, in every form of language and to multitude of witnesses, orally, in written statements and in printed docu- ments, declared his faith in his wife's purity.
 After the reconciliation of MT. Hilton with me every consideration of pro- priety and honor demanded that the family trouble should be kept in that seclusion which domestic affairs have right to claim as a sanctury, and to