Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-31
Mr.. Beecher Interviewed
His Personal Appearance.
Calm oxad Confident t.

New York, so The Brooklyn papers pub
fish to- day an alleged interview with Mr..
Beecher.
The Union says, MIR. Beecher, accompan-
led by dark browed friend, and wearing a
red rose in the Luttonhole of the lapel of his
coat passed through Myrtle avenue last night
He had on his white siouched hat. In the
eyes of those who met him he looked uncon-
cerned as ever.
LATER.
When reporter, who is intimate with him,
called at his residence on the heights, he re-
ceived him with an open hand and as frank a
look as possible for him to put on. The con-
versation was of a confidential character
Beecher, while seated at his case, talked glib
ly and laughed heartily with the man of the
press who is noted for his racy way of telling
his story or getting Off joke.
Mr.. Beecher intimated to the reporter that
his friends might rely on his discretion and
his truth; it was enough that he had declared
Tilton's charges false. For the present he
was prepared to admit that his sky was not as
clear as it ought to be; there were hazy
clouds in the horizon, and these darkened
lightly toward the zenith, but the sun of truth
would in its own good time burst forth and
dispel them. He was preparing his refuta-
against him. He felt strong in his own heart :;
he had done wrong to no one; he might have
been incousiderate, even indiscreet - that
came of impulsiveness. When his story had
been told; when his plain, unvarnished tale
had been prepared and given to the public
he would calmly await what it and more par
ticularly his true friends had to say, and by
it he was quite prepared to stand or fall. He
felt himself innocent of intention to wrong
any one, and with that feeling ever present in
his heart he was prepared to come boldly be-
fore the world and battle down the army of
scandsl-mongers.
The Argus reporter, whose statement Ger.
tatnly looks ishy, says that Mr.. Beecher talks
facetiously in relation to newspaper men, and
expresses the opinion that this business of his
had induced many of them to go to Plymouth
church, which would do them good.
The reporter says that on being asked if he
had presented his statement to the committee
Mr.. Beecher replied -
"No, l am free to say to you that have
been, am still, and will continue to work at it
| think you ought to see Mrs. Beecher, she
will fell you great deal more than am dis
posed to; | conide everything to her, aud she
can and think will answer satisfactorily any
question you put to her."
"Mr. Beecher when will you make your
statement public?"
"Well, there is the trustees of Trinity
Church, who are ever so anxious to have me
go over there, and after the religious exer-
cises and time or two by brother Morgan,
why I'll get up and make my statement; there
is sure to be big crowd, and the tickets are
to be one dollar each.'
r. What will be done with the proceeds :?
b. I'll get so per cent. of course and the
balance will go to some other charity"
At this point Mr., Beecher laughed out
right.
But" said Mr.. Beecher, continuing, "the
trouble about the matter IL that Grace church
is vieing with Trinity and wants to have me
exclusively, and so am in quandry."
II. 81 suppose you are greatly bothered
by inquisitive reporters!"
B. ooh no like to meet them but l am
careful now what l say to them. l have been
a credulous and conffding sort of boy, but
think I'll soon show thar have not been a
bad boy"
The New York Express has the following,
which certainly has the appearance of being
the basis of truth on which the whole of the
foregoing story is founded when Mr..
Beecher was informed of the arrest of Mr..
Tilton upon the charge of slandering him, he
said, Poor Theodore, pity him. In re.
gard to his statement for the Committee, he
said that it was not completed that he was
still engaged upon it. 1t was suggested to
him to read it in some large churh, charging
81 per head, and devote the proceeds to the
poor. He laughed and thought that would be
great idea.