The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-08-21

met with a rebuff, he would charge
Beecher with being the cause of his
his troubles. Thus was he kept in
turmoil of mind throughout the year.
Then follows a letter to Moulton in
which he refers to Tilton's changeful
moods, gives an extract from a note
from Mrs. T. foreshadowing trouble
expresses his environment, and
wonders that after passing through
such year he was yet alive. 1t is
the expression of a man worn out
with anxiety, care, trouble, and con-
cludes thus:
Il look upon death as sweeter than
any friend 1 have in the world. Life
would be pleasant if 1 could see that
rebuilt which is shattered; but to
live on the ragged edge of anxiety,
remorse, fear, despair, and yet to put
on all the appearance of serenity and
happiness, cannot be endured much
longer. 1 am well nigh discouraged
If you, too, cease to trust me-to love
me, am alone; I have not another
person in the world to whom I can
go. Well,to God 1 commit all; what
ever it may be here it shall be well
there. With sincere gratitude for
your heroic friendship, and with sin
cere affection, even though you love
me not, I am yours, though unknown
to you. II. w. b.
After Tilton's removal from the
Independent, he began the publica
ton of the Golden Age, which, how
ever, did not prove remunerative.-
He became embarrassed; had not
settled with Bowen, though twelve
months had passed. He was sent for
at this time, by Moulton, and shown
proof of an article prepared by
Tilton, embodying letter which he
had written to Bowen, in January,
charging him with making scanda-
lous accusations against Beecher's
character. Beecher protested against
the publication of the article, but
was assured it was only intended as
hostile to Bowen, to whom it was af-
terwards shown, and he, becoming
alarmed, consented to settle, and
paid Tilton $1,000. At the same
time, the tri partite agreement of
concord and peace was drawn up and
signed by the three men. This pay
ment temporarily relieved Tilton, but
the suppressed article was subse-
quently published in the Brooklyn
Eagle and also the Covenant" and
the whole matter was revived after
the Woodruff publication. Tilton
became violent and threatened a
card. Moulton informed Beecher,
and after due deliberation he, under
date of June l, 1873, responded in a
letter in which he evidently had de-
termined no longer to interpose, as
it bristled with expressions as these:
1 have determined to make no fur
ther resistance. Theodore's temper
is such that the future, even if tenn
porarily earned, would be absolutely
worthless, filled with abrupt changes,
and rendering me liable at any hour
or day, to be obliged to stultify all
the devices by which we save our
selves. = l shall write for the
public a statement that will bear the
light of Judgment day. God will
take care of me and mine. 4 +
Now, Frank, 1 would not have you
waste any more energy on a hope
less task, with such man as T. T.
There is no possible salvation for
any that depend upon him.
Your loving, II. W. B.
He was evidently worried out with
the whole business. Tilton had re-
peatedly besought him not to betray
his wife,and he had promised, mean
ing he would not betray his wife's af
fection for him. The promise had
no reference to adultery. If there
had been such crime betrayal would
have ruined both. Beecher confess
es to an error in iudgment-to have
chosen the wrong path and accepted
the wrong guidance, yet cannot ad-
nit that he erred in endeavoring to
to keep the scandal from the public.
Referring to the subject of black
mail, he says:
"Money has been obtained from
me in the course Of these affairs in
considerable sums, but did not at
first look upon the suggestions that
I should contribute to Mr.. Tilton's
pecuniary wants as savoring of black
mail. This did not occur to me un-
til 1 had paid perhaps $4,000. After
wards, 1 contributed at one time S.
900. After the money had been paid
over in five $1,000 bills,to raise which
1 mortgaged the house / live in, /
felt very much dissatisfied with my
self about it. Finally square de-
mand and threat was made to me, by
my confidential friend, that if $4,000
more was not paid, Tilton's charged
would be laid before the public
This, l saw at once, was blackmail,
in its basest form, and l never paid
a cent of it, but challenged and re-
quested the fullest exposure"
Referring to numerous expressions
of grief which Moulton may have in
his correspondence, he expresses no
fear of their full and fair publication,
saying:
"For though they would doubtless
make a sad exposure of my weakness
grief and despair, they do not contain
a line confessing guilt, as has been
charged against me,or a word incon
sistent with my innocence, nor any
other spirit than that of a generous
remorse over great, and more and
more irreparable evil.''
He closes with challenge to any
and all who know anything against
him to make the matter public.
Burgoon as it Will be Pound al
Present.
Who is there that has not heard of this livt
and promising little village, on the truck O
tha T. u ct r r which opI0 sor,a