Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-08-26
M0ultOn's Statement.

Mr.. MoultOns statement in relation to
the Beccher matter was published in the
daily Graphic of Saturday. 1t would make
about twenty-five columns in the FREE
MAN. Most Of it consists of the various
letters and his story as to how they We're
written. The letters of Beechers that are
new are of the same cast as those that have
been heretofore published. Moulton begins
with the following:
To TIE PUBLIC: / became a party al
most accidentally in the unhappy CON
tjoversy between Mr.. Beecher and Mr..
Tilton. had been Il friend of Mr.. Tilton
since nv bovhool. and for Mr. Beecher
had always entertained the warmcst ad-
miration In 1870 | learned for the first
time that Mr. Beecher had given Mr.. Tilton
80 grave Il cause of offtnse that, ifthe truth
should be mads public, Il great national
calamity would enSue. | believed that the
scandal would tend to undermine the very
foundations OF social order, to lay low "A
benefcent power for good in our country,
and blast tie prospects and blight the
family of one Of the most brilliant and
promising of the rising men of the genera
still regard it-I determined to try and
avert For nearly four years | have labor
el most assiduOusly to save both of these
men from the consequences of their acts
which have already seriously involved
them in Il needless and disastrous quarrel,
VIII ch is made tie preteXt of pouring on
the community flood of impurity and
scandal deeply affecting their own families,
ami threatening like II whirlpool, if not
>tilled. to draw into its vortex the peace
ofmind and good repute ola host of others
More than all. [ saw that, because of the
''tr.n>gre>siOn of another" innocent chill
dren would be burdened with IL load OF
obioquy which would weigh most heavily
and cruelty on their young lives. All these
considerations determined me to take an
active part IN the transactions which have
enct become 50 notorious. This decision
involved me in great anxiety and labor.
10y which the hope of saving these interests
could be my only compensation. Even
mat reward has now failed me, and instead
vi IL M attempt is made to throw on me Il
l''i' ol the shame and disgrace which be-
LUIS ID Tie actors alone. One of them,
whom L have zealously endeavored to
serve mas seen fit, with all the power of
HIS VAST Influence and matchlesS art as II
"I-oeT' TO Visit on me the penalties of his
own wrong -dplng-at the same time pub
icIy appealing to ME to make known the
truth rs If 4 would justify his attack on
me- feel that the failure of my exertion
has not been owing to any fault of mine.
1 worked faithfully and sincerely, under
tile almost daily aIvice and direction of
Mr.. Beecher, with his fullest appreciation
confidence and beaming gratitude, until,
as L think, in an evil hour for him. he took
other advisers. | have failed; and how.
strangely enough, he seems to desire to
punish me for the sad consequences of the
folly, insincerity and wickedness of his
present counselors. Mr.. Beecher, in his
statement testifes that he brought on this
investigation without my knowledge or
advice. Even while mourning what seem
cd to me the utter unwisdom of this pro-
ceeding. | have done all l could honorably
do to avert the catastrophe. l have kept
silent, although l saw with sorrow that
this silence was deeply injuring the friend
OF my boyhood. Prompted by sense OF
duty-not to one but to all the parties in