The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-18

1t is also necessary to Mr.. Beecher's
vindication that the character of
Frank Moulton should be destroyed
and assuming, as in the case of Tilton.
Moulton's own conduct and declarations
to be the only evidences in the case. Mr..
Beecher's statement might be said to effectu-
ally dispose of the honor, integrity and dis
interestedness of the gentleman known as
the mutual friend" There is this weak
ness, however, In the attack on Moultons
No sufficient motive is alleged for the per-
| fdy laid to bis charge. and If be be pro-
nounced guilty he must be set down as an
example of the truth of the doctrine OF total
| depravity.
In his treatment of Mrs. Tilton, Mr..
Reecher is very considerste and at the same
time very skillful. He has succeeded without
aiming any direct blow at her self esteem to
confirm the character ofher, which her hus-
bands estimates, her own letters and her
printed testimony had already suggested
to the public. She is painted as a weak
woman, in feeble health, who could be
driven into making any sort of acknowl-
edgments; and such a character is neces-
sary to explain the course ofthe scandal on
the theory of Mr.. Beecher's innocence.
It was not essential to destroy her
trustworthiness so far as any ststements she
has made may be concerned. Her own con-
duct has done this effectually. The
contradictions between her sworn testimony
and her letters, and the facility with which
she was accustomed to make confessions and
retractions, have broken down faith in her
veracity, and another statement from her, on
either side, would have no more effect than
the rustling Of leaves in the wind.
The great task which Mr.. Beecher had to
perform in drawing up his defense was not
to overthrow the accusations of his enemies,
but to explain his own words and conduct.
1t may be safely said that no man ever pro-
nounced him guilty who did not do so on the
strength of his own letters, or because it
seemed impossible to explain his course of
action on any theory consistent with his
soundness of mind and his innocence. The
defense appears to cool critic a failure on
these vital points. 1t is able and consistent,
and from the very beginning of it every
word Is written with consciousness of the
trouble to be overcome, and a definite idea
of the ally plan by which it is possible to
overcome it. Through the whole work zone
increasing purpose runs" 1t is essential
TO establish i'm the minds of men a new and
peculiar conception of Mr.. Beecher's own
mental and physical character. He is rep
resented not as the hale, hearty man he is
commonly supposed to be, strong in health
and sunny in disposition, but as sort of
hypochondriac haunted with dread of paral-
ysis, given to gloomy anticipstions and sigh
ing for the relief of death on every trivial
occasion like moonstruck boy. He who is
accustomed to have his words caught from
his lips by shorthand reporters and scattered
through the country, and who has won a
reputation rarely surpassed for clear and
elegant diction, is, we are to be-
lieve, prone to wild and senseless
talk, using extravagsnt expressions, gush-
ing with contrition about a mere nothing,
and tearing passion to tatters at all times
1t is related of Mrs. Siddoas that she was
accustomed to ask the waiter to pass the
bread in such a tragic tone that he COM
monty dropped the plate in fright, and we
are to remodel all cur previous exceptions,
and held that the wise, witty, common
sense Henry Ward Beecher is perpetuaIzy
guilty of the same extravagances. From
other Fps than his such a Islander wOuld
not be received with patience. All men
knew, of course, that he was
sympathetic and emotional,
but few would have dreamed that he was
sentimental to the verge OF weakness as he
himself declares. Representing himself as
careless in business matters, wild in method
of speech, emotisnal to the very edge of
folly, ead, in fact, almost putting in the plea
of irresPonsibility for his actions and utter |
terances. Mr.. Beecher takes up the letters
that have been published, and explains |
them. For the present the reader must
study the commentary In connection with |
The text and decide as suits his own fzdg- |
Eent. The Sentinel regretfully puts forth |
bers is not get destroyed. NeEher
can Mr.. Beecher's story of his coarse
in connection with the various parties to |
the scandal, he pronounceSas entirely viEdi-
Gated. 1t 10 not sufficient explanation to
say that a mere misconception in regard to
he best course led to the l0ng silence after
he woodb1ll publication, che payment of
the drawing upof the tripartlte,
agreement, the continual by-piay with
Moukon, the avoidance of making a direct
ssue in rurHing Triton out of Plymouth
church. Suck a scene as tkat in which.
When the question of TflSon's sxpul-
ion came up previous to thief
alling OF the couRcil, the aeeusedl
nan arose and asked Mr.. Beecher il he
Iad ever slandered him and received fer an
nswer dirsss denial, is not very easy to
eoSncile with the character of this defense.
Tor is the readiness and even airoitnsssi
displayed in the cross-examinafioa at all
opsistent with the imbeciiity which Mr..
seeeher wishes the world to consider as his