The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-07-25
The Beeohsr TiltOn Scandal.


This revolving affair has been spread
broadcast, throughout the country, through
the columns of the daily press Of wednes
day and Thursday. Tilton's statement wal
published on Wednesday morning, and
Beecher's statement followed on Thursda,
morning. A couple Of our contemporaries,
summarize them thas
The sworn statement made By Mr.. Theo
dore Triton, on Monday night before III,
investigating committee appointed BY Rev
Henry Ward Beecher, pastor of Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, affecting the conduct q
the latter, was sent over the wires TO the Who'll,
press of the country Tuesday night.
The sum and substance of Mr., Tilton',
statement is that Mr.. Beecher, taking adyan
tage OF bis position and influence rs a pastor,
led Mr.. Iilton's wife into guilt with himself
and that after she had made full confession
OF the wrong to her husband, Mr.. Beecher, L
escape exposure and ruin, SO wrought upon
her mind again as to cause her to revoke thai
confession, and that now she has openly desert
cd her home and arrays herself with Mr..
beecher and his friends in conspiracy to
overthrow the credibility and good repuie Of
Mr. luton as man and n citizen. The story
ms told by Mr.. lilton is terribly painful one
but as MIR. Beecher and Mrs. Tilton are vel
TO be heard in their own defense the case !,
not TO be finally judged. The attitude of Mr.,
iil'oni however, Is at last clearly given, and
the charges which he brings against Mr.,
Beecher arc Enthusiastically plain.
Mr.. Beecher recognizes the necessity Of
making an explicit and detailed reply 10 the
shocking accusations contained in Theodore
lilton's affidavit, and he is not vet prepared
TO fulfill this task with the care and fullness II
demands but meanwhile, for the sake of re,
lieving Mrs. 1ilton from the dark and blight
ing shadow which rests upon her, he has made
a. preliminary statement in her yindication.
lhis was communicated to some oil the mem.
beers OF Plymouth Church on Wednesday. Mr.
Beecher totally denies that their intercourse
has ever been tainted with guilt To use hi,
own language, he rejects "with Indignation
every imputation which reflects upon her
honor and my own." The theory of Mr.,
Beecher's friends with regard to his Who'll,
relations with the Tilton family is borne out il
this brief statement Mrs. Tilton came 10 hin
for advice when in deep distress concerning
the alleged infdelity Of her husband. Hs
gave her counsel which he most earnestl,
regretted when he became aware that II
followed out it would break up tho Tiltor
family. AT this point VIC catch a glimpse
Of the famous letter OF coutrition, which
Mr.. Beecher acknowledges TO have writer
in an interview with mutual friend
Mr.. Moulton,) at time when he poured ou
his whole heart in ''exaggerations of impas
stoned sorrow over the harm which he be,
lieyed himself TO have done by his interfer
ence between man and wife. The only othel
specifications in Mr.. Tilton' indictment which
Beecher at this time touches upon are those
alleging two occasions upon which he was Ia
positions Of conspicuous familiarity with Mrs
Tilton. To these accusations Mr.. Beechcl
puts in solemn denial that such events evel
occurred. The line Of defence is made toler
ably plain by this statement and the comment,
of Mr.. Beecher's friends on the Titon docu
ment but, public opinion will remain oper
until his fuller reply is made, and that OF Mrs
1ilt0n also given to the world.
The story of Mrs. Tilton appeared in
yesterdays papers, and she denies the
charges of her husband