davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
A PLEA FOR TILTON.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
OF course Mr.. Beecher may be innocent, and Mr..
Tntons belief have it's foundation In groundiess
jealousy Regarding this we must oil wait till Mr..
Beecner and all the other parties 10 the cOntro-
versy have been heard under oath; and 1t equally
follows that Mr.. Beecher may be guilty. For one
!, with many others, as the case now stands be-
lieve ne is The Illogical expressions OF the Rev.
Mr.. Halliday, Mrs. Beecher and the rank and file
OF Plymouth church tnat all the 0aths Of all the
angels on all the Bibles ever printed would
not convince them or Mr.. Beecher's guilt
amount TO nothing, unless to prove that their
opinions are absolutely wort hless. The publication
OF such Dalderdash only hurts Beechers case, and
his lawyers IS calculated to prejudice the public
mind strongly against hin. But why, IN either
case abuse fiit0n9 1t seems TO me that his treat
ment by the press or rather by the great majority
OF the press, unjust. Ii he Is lab0ring under hal
lucination he certainly does not deserve IL. He,
entitled to the amenities OF the press IN this
hour OF his trouble. Ii, the contrary, his
charges well Ounded and at last nave to be ad.
mitted to be true, what then2
Ii the terrible Indictment OF TiltOn s true bill
Iprophesy that ne Will come out OF this struggle
having passed through sea OF trouble that would
have submerged almost any other man. He has
certalniy borne himself, under all the Circun
stances, with dignity, courage and philosophy.
and has overcome, siDgte-handed, the most tre-
mendous combination OF talent, money and social
and religious influence ever brought against
man In this country.
Let US walt, therefore, and see the end OF this
AFFAIR before We denOunce man who may DE not
only vietim but victor. y.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26

have not vet satisfied the country generally Some
thing more seems TO be asked Tor than genera
II am not surprised at It," answered Mr.. Tilton:
"rhe great reading public read without
over over" what they read must must see that in
both of these statements two-thirds OF my
sorbing love. and Mr.. Beecher admits the letters.
There IL nothing left, therefore, TO be proven ex-
tained by q testimony that win not be disputed.
Mrs. Tilton seems to imply in her denial that
this was for some years very unhappy nomeW
'She does, but none knows 40 well as Elizabeth
that this was not so. Again and again has she tes
titled 20 that happiness within the period which
she has described as wretched. To suostan ria TO
that statement her own evidence shall be most
convincing proof as the proper time-sviaencs eve
angry spirit toward her. Those who have coun.
selled TINS investigation have done 1t wantOnly,
wlckedly, against my own urgent entreaties 70
keep SILENT and they, not J. are responsible Tor the
consequences"
NO HOPE or A COMPROMISE
''is there any chance oi compromise in this
II tnlnk not. The time has gone by for that I
have been approached IN that direction very lately
since this investigation begun. | may say since
my statement has been before the committee. In
answer TO your question, may say have gone
further, and have suggested o mode OF settlement
that | think would erecIuaiiy stay the present
scarcely think 1t WILL thought
Mr.. FRANK AoULf0N's EVIDENCE
course win oes"
II nave uot, repleu ltttoup 'eSCept bHhs
am sure he will speak the truth, or ADOPT some
honorable way OF avoiding the speaking O1 II.
have very strange nature. / sometimes wish Il
were very different one. That nature has pre-
vented my asking Mr.. Moulton anything about
the course he intends to take. l am represented
as cold. pltiess and heartless. This IS all the
surface am proud aud have very strong WILL
This 1t is that impels me on In this course, unre-
lenting and inexoraDie apparently. l cannot
help it.n
WHAT WILL BE THE END
"Should the committee render decision in IA
vor OF Mr. Beecher-a very probable result-may
ask you, Mr.. Tnton, what wiz then be your
cOurseYr
''I shall commence an action for divorce. What
can do otherwise should like to know, In the
present condition OF this terrible trOuoley'
The reporter arose to BID his farewell. Mr.. TiltOn
gave hearty shake Of the nand TO him, VINO
passed into Livingston street with his reflective
faculties greatly exercised.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26

under oath. both by Mrs. Tilton and Mr.. Beecher,
suicient answer TO the chargesY
Mr.. SUTHERLAND-Such DENIAL might satisfy the
friends oil the accused, but not the public gener
ally. denial, however accompanied with full
and satlsfac ctory explanation OF the diffculty be-
tween the parties implicated, and also an expla-
nation OF the correspondence produced by Mr..
Tllton IN evidence, would consider sufficient TO
reinstate MIR. Beecher IN the confidence and es-
TEEN OF the public.
Rev. G. A. Nachtrieb, pastor Of the German
Methodist church. corner OF New York and Jersey
streets, was called upon by the reporter. lie
stated that he knew nothing about the
troubles between Beecher and TIton, ex-
cept short statement about rlrOn's let
ter to DR.. Bacon, which was published In
German church paper at seems to me-"
said he, "that they have good deal Of trouble In
settling up the matter. 1t wouldn't have been 80
In our Church: The discipline provides way for
dealing with these things, and the accused would
nave been put through without all this puoho
printing and investigating committee"
Elder W. +. Black said believe In Mr..
Beeoher's innocence, and nave beiieved him inno.
cent all along; but have no doubt that he has
been too intimate with Tiiton, Bowen and others,
and as result has got badly mixed up with tnem
Mr.. TlltOn's statement Is specino, ana nothing
short OF full statement by Mr. Beeeher VIII satisfy
the pubo. ! cannot conceive or the great mans
guilt he has said ana done too many good Things
In his life; his thoughts have been running IN
good and pure direction, and IT Is dncult TO con-
ceive of his failing sudden and 80 low alter 80
many years OF the best Christian ministry"
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Moro Light Wanted.

From the Springfield tNass.) Republican,
1t IS impossible to sat down to a comparison Of
Mr.. Beecher in his own denial and OF Mr. Beecher
in his statements as produced by TltOn, and feel
that the denial is sufficient to its purpose. n IL
were mere question OF veracity between the two
gentlemen, one being man OF good deal Of
robustness and mental poise and the other rather
deficient In these respects the public would not
hesitate which to believe. But unfortunately, the
pubic now have documents aud signatures before
them which no mere alter denial can eiface. They
require more plausible explanation than has yet
been given. The public are ready and anxious to
acqult MIR. Beecher, but now that he has invited
them to an understanding, they want TO arrive Mt
q satisfactory one. Mrs. Tilton produces be ore
us her statement this morning. 1t does
more damage to Titon than good to
Beecher. 1t charges upon him the first desc
Grafton Of the household altar; 1t lays bare the
calling waywardness of the man. She and MIR.
Beecher clear each other most s0lenny, ana yet
they leave the documentary evidence unexplained.
1t will be observed that the same night on which,
''wearled with importantly and Sickness" she
signed paper for her husband, she first signed
one for Mr. Beecher and further, that the last
paper was not recantation OF the first, but simply
q record OF 1t. Under the circumstances this can
hardly be made out an act OF tyranny.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26

OF those VINO nad made her home Objectionable 10
them. Mrs. fiton has no recollection Of having
taken part IN any such scene as the one described
IN the Graphic as having been enacted in the pres.
ence OF Miss Anthony. Her answer TO Mr.. Titon's
prepared IN concert with certain lawyers" but
was written entirely by herself. The only altera-
tons not made by herself were some grammatical
changes and alterations OF punctuation. she ex-
presses her confidence IN favorable result oi the
investigation.
THE ORIGIN OF ENMrTY IN THE DAYS OF SLAVERY.
on the part OF Theodore Tilton toward Mr.. Beecher
is given by Mr. Edward 7. ovington. That gentle
man said lit Is an old grievance, magni1ed oy
the overweening vanity OF Tnton, Ioused INTO
vigor by the lapse OF years, ana made monstrous
Away back in 1884, said Mr.. Oyngton, "Tiiton's
enmty toward Mr.. Beecher began. Then the
Plymouth Society was asked to ala western mis-
slonary movement. Those who sought for help
were pro-slavery. and MIR. Tllton made an lmpas-
stoned speech against contributing to tnem; ne
was loudly appauded for his eloquence by all VINO
were narrow In their views The larger, more un-
selfish course of MIR. Beecner was edopted. MIR.
Beecher took the ground that misfortune ought
TO be sympathiZed with and assisted wherever it
might exist, and whatever might be
THE OPINIONS or THE SUFFERERS.
The church sustained Mr.. Beecher, and as Mr..
Ttiton had made 1t sort OF test OF his STRENGTH
and popularity he grew jealous THIS was the nrst
rapidly, and Mr. Ovngton SAYS that when Mr.
TIlton saw that his vile and children loved and
and resentful look, ana calumnies were whispered
about. Mr. TitOn then began TO tell his friends
statement ne referred to by Mrs Til.on was drawn
up before the separation, but Mr.. 1iiton dld not
present IL 10 the committee, substituting for 1t the
one which was published. Mr.. Ovngton said that
THE RELATION BETWEEN MRS rILroN AND Mr..
BEECHEK
OF which Mr.. Tilton complained In this earlier
tatement as simply that Sue loved her pastor in
stead OF her husband. Mr. TiIton used this elhod
OF attacking Mr.. Beecher because he thought 1t
would be most likely to succeed.
After Mr.. Tilton had been married only few
years, said Mr. 0vington, his bad capricious dispo-
sitl0n and tart temper as well as his intense and
selfish regard for himself began to make his wife
very unhappy. Mr. Beecher's kindness was douby
precious TO one who thought herself unlOved, and
IL caused her to look upon him deeply inter-
ested in her welfare. She loved HIM as friend
and taught her children to respect hum as their
pastor.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Beecher as an Actor.

FROM The Richmond Dispatch.l
Henry Ward Beecher is good actor, with o
warm and sympathetic heart and a strong intel
iect, rather too much subordinated TO strong
natural impulses. He played with the maxims Of
religion the disciplined performer the circus
does with the balls that he throws up and catches
and keeps up with an endless variation OF move
ment and oi ingenuity OF sleight-oi-hand. Mr..
Beechers audience, absorbed by the cunning Of
his art, fail TO Criticse the moral effect OF his
formance. Actor and audience lost In the excite
ment OF the hour, were blinded to the true prin-
cipies Of Religion. The shining screen thrown
over religion hd the piOus virtues which put q
bride ON vanity and a cham upon evil pass ions.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
THE PRESS ON TILT0N'S STATE.
MENT.
Another Parallel In Fiction.

tfTOul tdpulC,I
Tae remarkable para.ensm which Mrs. TitOn
la, pointed out between her own real case and
the fr-tious case OF Catherine Gaunt In Charles
Reades novel is not more noteworthy than the
resemblance which, II Mr.. TitOn's story be true,
the action of Mr.. Beecher in Ihts matter bears to
that OF Rasheign Osbaldistone In his deal
ings with Diana Vernon In Sir Walter
scott's powerful novel, "Rob Roy" In order
finally to seduce the beautiful Dl Vernon, Rash
leigh, knowing that the purity and pride OF her
nature would forever prevent him rom attaining
his object by appeals TO base sensualty and the
common grossness OF the flesh, plays upon her
mind with casulstry, endeavoring co shake the
foundations o. virtue In her by conlOundlng her
notions OF right and wrong. Rashlelgh, though
not a churchman, was intended Tor one, and was
IS deeply versed IN cQSuS cOnScienttR as Mr.
Beecher or any Jesuit may be supposed to be, and
any one who knows how readily the study OF re-
llglous ethics may break down the barriers which
separate right from wrong may easily see how,
under the teachings OF a strong and beloved pas
Tor, virtue may lall away from woman insensioly.
But Rashlegn did not accomplish his design. Was
Mr.. Beecher more eloquent and successiulS
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Desperate, If Not Insane.

From the Burlington (vt} Free Press.I
Against Mr.. Beecher's word, as we said weeks
ago. no declarations OF Theodore Tilton deserve q
particle OF credence. Mrs Tilton's solemn ainr.
nation OF her innocence and OF Mr.. Beecher's was
not needed to reasSure US, though we were glad
to 1t. Mr.. Tiltons recent history. Independent
OF this miserable business, has shown HIM to bs
reckless, demoralized, desperate, II not insane.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
The Hardihood of Sickies,

FROM Cue SG LOUIS hepuOncan
Ttlton hestated long before delivering his blow,
but he has delivered 1t with terrible force and e-
fectlveness. In reading his statement, so won
deriu IN its crushing arrangement OF points, so
thoroughly fortified In its charges and so un.
answerahie In its conclusion, we find ourselves
amazed at the sei-c0mpOsure OF man who could
prepare sucn paper in the presence OF tue lear
ful INJURIES ne had received. TlrOn mas been re-
garded as gifted but weak and vain man, with
OI the tragedy he exhibits the savage strength
and hardho wnich Sickes show ed nfteen years
ago at ashingtOn IN q somewhat similar transac-
ton,
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
A Defence or the Great Preacher.
lEroI.a fho Miaaaa,s..- uu-s.-.l

Tne investigation Is still in progress, and Mr..
Beecher Is yet to be heard. He demanded q thor
ough investigation of all witnesses who mad any
thing to say against him. Had he been the guilty
wretch described he would have crushed this
scandal long ago by accepting one OF the numerous
ouers made oy Mr.. Tiiton for a compromise Of
tneir dinerences UntiI all the witnesses have
ment should De suspended.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Hardly Possible to Disbelieve.

The statement OF Mrs. Tilton, when we publish
to-day, Is an affecting document, the truthfulness
OF which 1t seems hardly possible to dsDeleve. 10
uniolds condition OF terrible wretchedness and
sorrow, and proves Mr.. Tilton to be one Of the
most despIcaDle OF men. His word Will not weigh
much in the bal ance against the evidence against
him, and 1t can hardly be doubted that the puDic,
the great jury which Is to Judge of this matter,
will pronounce the acqaittai or the parties ac-
cused. Still the iull report OF the Investigating
Committee Will be awaited with interest.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Buffers Connection with the Case.
From the Providence Press.l

We hardly think that the introduction OF Butler
into the case will aid Mr.. TlltOn or tend to give
him the public sympathy and confidence. Butler
s q superior criminal lawyer. but In q case OF this
sad character and in this state Of its un.
folding 1t Is the truth that is wanted and
not trick of cOncealment or subteriuge OF
technical victory for either OF the parties.
Either Mr.. Tnton Is jealous and revengeful liar
or Mr.. Beecher Is corrupt and has not scrupled 70
lie to cover it. If Mr.. I1ltOn has lied from jealousy
or revenge no punishment meted out to him wiii
exceed the demands Of justice. If he mas told the
truth Mr.. Beecher Is fallen angel. Neither TIL
ton Beecher, Mrs. I1tOn nor Ben Butler can solve
the doubt. There are others VINO can. Let us wait
for the evidence
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Beocher's Letters Against His Stateme mt.
From the Albany Times1


Even II the plea OF Mrs. Tilton that she signed
two OF the letters while in condition OF physical
weakness be accepted. the like excuse will not
avail Mr.. Beecher, who certainly was not coerced
on sick bed, and whose confession OF great
wrong done to Mr.. Tt0n Is the most serious tes-
timony produced In su0stantatiOn OF Mr. TlllOn's
allegations. lt is unfortunate for Mr.. Beecher
tnat the only witness In his behalf is Mrs. Titon
and II Is equally unfortunate Tor Mrs. TitOn that
her sole witness Is Mr. Beecher. Ii Is still worse
for them that they are witnesses against each
other; Mr. Beechers letters against Mr.. Beeehers
statement, and Mrs. Tilton's letters against Mrs.
TlltOnS denial.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
None to Do Beecher Reverence.


IFTOH JHt CUICdBU IHItT'UCtaH.J
And there need be no fear that the punishment
VIII be inadequate. There is no man so poor to-
day as to do Mr.. Beecher reverence. The finger is
pointed at him from every quarter, and by none so
mercllessly as those whose own nves are crimson
with SIN. Unbearable as this may seem, 1t Is
hardly worse than the punishment when he has
undergone for years. the severity of which his own
despalrlng words revea. We would not add to
this punishment If we could; we could not II we
would The lesson, the mOral-if there be any -
Is complete without our condOiement or condem-
nation. We leave the sinner and the sin to an
other and higher Judgment
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
The Charge Not Proven.
from the Springfield tIll.) Journal

From the Springfield tIlL) JOurnal.l
We DO not say, In the light OF such evidence as
this, that Mr. Beecher is innocent; but we do say,
as we have maintained since this revolving case
was opened up anew, that the crime charged Is
not proved. Beecher Is now, LOT the first time
put distinctly on the defensive before the public
whatever may have been his attitude toward
1ilton privately. silence would be confession, and
he must now dlsprOve or deny.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
The Fail OF Mr.. Beecher.
From the Terre Haute JournalJ

''1o
We are heartsck at the terrible disclosures
made by Theodore rlton against Henry ward
Beecher. The moral sense OF the entire country
and Of the world Is ounted by such things. Tho
fall OF satan from heaven to hell was hardlv more
horrible than Mr.. Beecher'a From the very Din-
nacle Of lame he tnmbles into the gutter. In the
whole history OF this country such fall has never
before occurred Its effect upon the religious SEN
timsnt OF the people can hardly be estimated. Ne
man In this country has done SO much toward
lberalizlng religious opinions as MIR. Beecher and
now hat he has himself so far gone astray We Al
most tremble for the result. However, with the
strong array OF evidence before us, we are en-.
deavOring to hope that all may yet De explained.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
-fOrgOt
ust at the moment she he should not
That Terrible Secret.

But his denial, though emphatic, is hardly satis-
factory. IL cannot be denied that IT Is the state
ment of criminal on the witness stand in his own
defence nor will it dispe, tho conviction in the
minds OF all candid persons that any one placed
I'm similar circumstances would pay more regard
to their reputation than to the truth. II does not
explain away the confessions OF guilt made both
by himself and his paramOur; his ongings for
death to remove him from danger OF exposure: !:
hls constant dread frequently expressed, that
TIton would not keep tho terrible secret that In
volved so much.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
An Air OF Sincerity.

Can this strange story be true 1t bears the i'm
press Of candor. 1t is, indeed only the plain, un-
fortified statement OF the w0manly SOUL but It mas
the air OF sincerity it be false, IL 1t be the
ming and artful device OF a bad woman or bad
partner seeking to escape from the network OF
proof which their own wrongs have woven about
them, then 1t IS the most remarkable OF all inven-
tiOnH.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26

ence toward any hints, insinuations or as.
PERSONS which came directly from Mr.. Til
ton, ae boldly denied the foolish exag-
eerations OF Woodhull and later, when the
Socaslon seemed to him to demand excuipation,
ne intrusted the responsibility OF fair examine
ton 10 Blk OF those who were pillars OF his church,
VINO were his steadiast friends, whose regulations
M we're more orle bound up with h,s own. and who
mouiu nave the most exaggerated terrors OF the
results Oh sucn judgment as. We fear, must DO
pronounced by less partial tribunals. These de-
vices are not resorted TO by innocent men.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Like q Page OF French Memoirs.

From the Davenport Qowa.) Gazette.1
What must be the character Of pastor who
could deliberately persuade pure wife that adul-
tery could spring from high religious love The
recital reads like page Of French memoirs. But
there is still q sadder side. How the wicked Will
mock, the unDeliever sneer, the atheist rejoice.
the faii OF Beecher Is a greater blow to orthodoxy
than any IL has received since the reign OF Julian
the ApOstate, and the very hends must howl in
harsh delight to see the Plymouth divine fallen
from his nigh estate and welterng In the obscene
depths OF his own creation.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
Beecher Playing the Role of Folly With
out His Bells.

{Fr0m the Cincinnati Times.1
Guilty or innocent the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
is paying the role OF Folly without his bells. Gen.
eral denias by himself or by Mrs. Tilton, or the
more precise statement which he promises the
investigating committee of his own selection are
worse than useless; they are insults to the CON-
mon sense OF the community and doubly injurious
u the cause OIL the writer. There Is one point
upon which even man of the most inferior INTEL
lect, and Mr. Beecher is not sucn, must know that
the whole case turns Are or are not those let
tcrs which Mr. Tlton publishes in his sworn state
ment correct copies OF letters written by those
whose signatures are appendedS If tney are then
Mr.. Beecher may as well attempt TO whistle
down the fury of a northeastern gale as hope to
stem the tide OF popular Indignation by fearful eX
plantations and 'solemn deniaIS.u
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
A Won anly Production.
TFrom the Boston Transcript.I

Mrs. 11iton's statement contrasts most favorably
With that of her husband. In its inspiration, tone
and execution 1t Is q womanly production-au
emanatIon replefe with the strong religious senst
bIItles OF It's author and exhibiting nature over
lowing with tender sympathy and affection. The
qualities and character OF Mrs. TitOn perfectly
mrrOred In her exposition. And the actual pre-.
sentiment thus given to the world is that Of con-
fding, beautiful, outraged w0manhOOd.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
The Blush to the Cheek Of Decency.
From the Nashville Banner1

The whole affair IS too ugly to be touched, except
for the sake OF pointing such moral as is easily
enough seen without comment. Tue majority OF
mankind now hold Mr.. Beecher as one ''con-
demned areauy," let his statement ana that OF his
aieged htdMOrdtd be what they may. We at least
indulge the hope that when their statements come
to us to-day or Tomorrow they Will not send the
blush to the cheek OF decency.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
What Are Beecher's Apologies About
from the New Haven Unionl

l.
We are somewhat confounded by Mrs. Tilton's
DENIAL She says that Beecher never even made
an improper proposal to her. What, then. are all
Bee cher's apologies aDouts Why did ne wish he
was deadf Why did he Of1er to snare hts fame and
his fortune with TlltOn II he would leave the
country and 20 to Europef Mr.. +. B. Carpenter,
the artist, has sworn that Beecher made TINS pro-
posa TO him and asked him TO convey the propo-
this look like backmaY Perhaps ali these Things
may be explained.
The New York herald., 1874-07-26
A Darkened Picture.

1t is with almost tnsuperabe difficulty that we
have obtained our consent to publish the revolting
revelations by telegraph OF the Beecher-Tllton
scandal Tnton's exposure OF Beecher and Mrs.
Tiiton fithy, conclusive and damning to all par
ties IL leaves no shadow OF dOuot OF Beecher,s
iniernal guilt as q monster. Its array OF
evidence IL irresistible It does the work of con-
victiOn with horrible cOnclusIveness 1t presents
the darkest picture that the century shows, and
we turn from 1t Slckened to the core.