Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-23

in my then state of mind, poignancy to my
suffering which / hope no other man may
ever feel. Even to be suspected Of having
offered, under privileges Of peculiarly Ga.
cred relation, an indecorum to a wife and
mother, could not but deeply wound any one
who 10 sensitive to the honor of womanhood.
There were peculiar seasons for alarm in
this case on other grounds inasmuch as was
then subject to certain malignant rumors,
and fragrant outbreak in this family, would
bring upon them an added injury derived from
these nameless fslsehoods. Believing at the
time that my presence and council had ten
| ded. however unconscientiously, to produce a
social catastrophe, represented as imminent,
gave expression to my feelings in an inter
| view with q mutual friend, not in cold and
cautious self defence, but eagerly taking
blame upon myself and pouring out my heart
| to my friend in the strongest language, over
! burdend with exaggerations Of imprisoned
sorrow. Had been the evil man, Mr.. Til
| ton now represents, should have been calmer
| and more prudent. Not only was my friend
| affected generously but he assured me such
expressions, if conveyed to Mr. Tilton, would
soothe the wounded feeling, allay anger and
| heal the whole trouble.
He took down sentences and fragments of
| what had been saying to use them as me-
oA"eOi' "A iuh othtSuCut Vi uuc ClTCuuStd0C~
es under which this memorandum was given,
I shall give to the investigating committee.
That these apologies were more that ample to
| meet the facts of the case is evident in that
they were accepted; that our intercourse re-
sumed its frendliness; that Mr.. Tilton SUBJ
sequently ratified it in writing, and that he
has continued for four years and until within
two weeks to live with his wife. Censurable
if the original charge had been, what is now
alleged that he would have condoned the Of
fence, not only with the mother of his chill
dren, but With him whom he believed to have
wronged them. The absurdity as we'll as the
falsity Of this story is apparent, when it is
considered that Mr. Tilton now alleges that
he carried this guilty secret of his wife's inf.
deity for six months laid up in his own
breast, and that then he divulged it to me on
ly that there might be reconciliation with me-
Mr.. Tilton has since, in every form of lam
guage and to a multitude of witnesses, in
written statements and in printed documents,
declared his faith in his wifes purity. After
the reconciliation of Mr.. Tilton with me,
every consideration of propriety and honor
demanded that the family trouble should be
kept in that seclusion which domestic affairs
have right to claim as a sanctuary, and to
that seclusion be confined.
Every line and word of my private and con-
ndenllal letters which have been published,
is in harmony with the statements now
make.
My published correspondence on this sub.
ject comprizes but tive elements. viz, the ex-
preston of my grief and of my desire to
shield the honor of pure and innocent wo-
man.
l do not propose to analyze and contest at
this time the extraordinary paper of Mr.
Tilton, but there are two allegations which 1
cannot permit to pass without special notice.
They refer to the only two incidents which
Mr.. Tilton pretends to have witnessed per-
sonally.
The one an alleged scene in my house
| while looking over engravings, and the other
,, chamber scene in his own house. His
statements concerning these are absolutely
| false, nothing of the kind ever occurred, nor
| any semblance of any such thing. They are
| now brought to my notice for the first time.
To every statement which connects me dis
honorably with Mrs. Elizabeth II. Tilton, or
which in any wise would iojure the honor
and purity of this beloved Christian woman,
l give the most explicit, comprehensive and
solemn denial"
(SiRned) HENRY WARD BEEcHER.
Brooklyn, N. Y. July, %, 1874.