Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-08-17
TINE BROOKLYN DISGRACE.
eEECHER's DENIAL
EXPLAINING THE CAUSES OF TTIToN.s STRANGE
sTATEMENTs-THE BEDROOM scENE-MRs
TILiroN's TROUBLES -BEEcHER DECLARES
HIS INNoCENCE-HE WOULD BE
BLAcKMAILED NO MORE.

HIS INNocENcE-HE WOULD BE
BLAcKMAILED NO MORE:
Henry Ward Beechers full statement in de-
tense OF Illton's charges, is printed in the
New York papers, occupying about dozen full
ana solid columns OF small type" Beecher
briefly views the entire case takes up Tilton
from the time he first met him ds q reporter.
and then gives q brief sketch of their lives up
to July 1870. Mlton had fallen from tic edi-
torial chair of the Independent, arid'had become
the priest OF free loveism. Hence his bank
ruptcy in reputation and RESOURCES Then he
IS alleged to have seduced a young lady, and to
nave nave N maltreated his wife to such an extent
that she applied to her pastor for advice.
beecher was very intimate with Titon and his
wife, he having frequently, at their earnest So
ilcltation made their residence his home, dur
ing the absence r!,f Of Beecher's family in the
Beecher also did great deal of writing at Til
toms house. After Tilton had fallen. he is ac-
cused by Mr.. Beecher in levying blackmail ac
cusing the Plymouth Pastor of criminal init
the following account Of an interview between
Iilton and himself: "Mr. Tilton said had
injured him in his family relation, had Joined
with his mother-in-law in producing discord in
ms mousse, had advised separation, had ALIEN
ated his wife's affection from him, had led her
to love me more than any other living being
had corrupted her moral nature and taught
her to be insincere, lying and hypocritical, and
ended by charging that 1 had made wicked
proposals to her. Until he reached this I had
listened with some contempt under the i'm
preston that he was attempting to bully me.
But with the last charge he produced paper
purporting to be certified statement of pre-
ylous confession made to him by his wife of
her love for me, and that had made propos-
als to her OF an improper nature.
Mr.. Beecher says further in reference TO the
above matter: In the latter part of July, 1870.
Mrs. Iilton was sick, and at her request visited
a aaa nad dr,,.,o nh. .lop,a
no hint OF any trouble having reference to me.
l cheered her as best could and prayed with her
Just before leaving. This was our last interview
before trouble broke out in the family. de-
scribe 1t because 1t was the last and its character
has bearing upon later part of my story. Con-
cernng all my other visits it is sufficient to say
that at interpieao auhich ever took place Jetyee
Mrs. 1sltom and myself did anything occur qohich
snaght not hare occurred aoh perfect propiety be-
taoeen a brother and sister, betveen a f1tber and
child or between a man of honor and the rife of
has dearest friend Nor did anything ever hap
pen which she or sough. to conceal from her
husband,
He said that this confession had been made to
MIN 10 July, SIX months previous, that his sense
OF honor and affection would not permit any such
document to remain In existence that he had
Dufnea the original aud should now DESTROY the
only copy aud he then tore the paper into small
pieces. IT had heen shocked at such statement,
was absolutely thunderstrnck when hs closed
the interview by requesting me 10 repair Mt once
to his house, where he said Elizabeth was wait
ing for me, and learn from her lips tho truth of
his story in SO far as they concerned her.
This fell like q thunderbot on me. Could it
be possible that his wife, whom had regarded
as the type OF moral goodness, should have made
such false and atrocious statements2 And yet if
she had not, how would he dare to send me- to
her for confirmation OF his charges?
Addressing the committee he says In the
note requesting your appointment asked that
you should make fnil investigation OF all sources
OF information. You are witness that have in
no way influenced or interfered with your pro-
ceedings or duties. have wished the investiga-
tion to be searching, that nothing could unsetle
its results.
have nothing to gain by any policy of sup.
pression OIL compromise
For four years have borne and suffered cnouob
and will not 60 q step further. will be free
l will not walk under a rod or yoke. II any man
would do me favor, let him tell all ho knows
how.
It is not mine to lay down tho law of honor,
or regard TO the use OF other persons coniden-
tial communications. But in SO far as my own
writings are concerned, there Is not letter nor
document which l am afraid to have exhibited,
and authorize any, and call upon any living
per son to produce ana print forthwith whatever
writing they have from any scource whatsoey-
er
1t is time for the sake of decency and of pub
lie morals that this matter should be brought to
an end. 1t is an open pool of corruption ex-
haling deadly vapors.
For six weeks the nation has risen up and sat
down upon scandal. Not great war nor q rev.
olution could more have filled the newspapers
than this question of domestic trouble, magnitied
a thousand fold, and, like sore spot on u hui
man body, drawing to itself every morbid humor
In the blood.
Whoever Is buried with it, it is time that this
abominaton be buried below all touch power
OF resurrection.
Mr.. Beecher also states that his wife gave Mrs
Tilton all the advice she had ever received re-
specting tue separation of the Tillon family.
Tilton obtained from Beecher to aid his pecnn-
iary wants 81, 900, for raising of $1,000 of This
amount he had to mortgage his own home
Finally square demand and threat was made
to him that II IS 600 was not paid 1iltons charges
would be laid before the public. And as the
money was not paid, the charges were pub
lished
l went forth like q sleep walker while clouds
were flying in the sky. There had been a snow
storm, which was breaking away. The winds
were out aud whistng through the leailess trees;
but all this wins pence compared to my moo0
within. 1 believe that Moulton went with me
to the door of Tilton's house. The housek eeper
(the same woman of whom Mr.. Tilton had com
plained) seemed to have been instructed by him,
Tor hhe evidently expected me, and showed me
at once up to Mrs. Titon's room. Mrs. Tiltoa
lay upon her bed, white marble, with closed
eyes as in a trance and with her hands upon
her bosom, palm to palm, like one in prayer. |
As look back upon 1t, the picture is like some
forms carved in marble that l had seen upon
monuments in Europe.
She made no motion and gave no sign of |
recognition of my presence L sat down near |
her and said elizabeth, Theodore has been |
making very serious charges against me, and |
sends me to you for confirmation
She made no reply or sign. Yet it was plain |
that she was conscious and listening.
repeated some of his Statements-that |
I, n hrop nhf dieanrd N ~ 70 tuilu had allan