The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-09-04
BEECHER ADS. TILTON.

BELCHLh AIS. lll-AON.
The peculiar feature OF the Beecher and lii
ION scandal is that it comes to US IN so confused
and confounding manner. Still light enough
il now thrown upon it for us to get the thread
OF the story and unravel 1t. The mass OF state
ments IN the case may be brought down to this,
using Moulton's narrative as our guide.
The rumpus broke out in December, 1870.
The immediate occasion of it was the discharge
Of Tllton from post of editor-in-chief OF the IN
dependeat This was done by Beechers advice
and because Tilton's loose notions on the mar
rage question was awakening circumstances
from the friends of that paper. That TLton
was winlipg IN those days at the Social Freedom
sisters all readers of the Independent can testi-
fy and the Adcdace was established in Chicago
to oppose or at least supply the place Of the
Independent III the west
1t was on the 22d OF December, 1870, that
Tlltons raedictory appeared in the Indepen-
dent. Bowen, the proprietor, seems TO have
thrown the responsibility OF Tilton's removal In
q very great measure upon Beecher, and IDton,
naturally jealous and really envious Of Beecher,
DIOho OCl upOu DoOCuCA o~1u VI WIZ NesS ~
December 26, $780, wrote to Beecher admorish-
ing HIM in brief to "gt" from Plymouth
Church aud Brooklyn, q for reasons which you
(Beecher) explicitly understand" Beecher did
not go, and it is not conceivable what particular
good it would have done Tlton to have had
Beecher complied with the note, Certainly,
Tilton could not have expected from Beecher
| ..,,,N N lam With
~ it was threat of retaliation on Beecher for
his influence in dispossessng Tilton OF the cdi-
torial chair in the Independent.
The next chapter relates to the alleged ia
facilities of Mrs. Tilton. In July, 1870, Mrs.
Tilton, as it ia alleged by Tilton and Moulton,
gave to her husband a confession written out
by herself of adultery with Beecher. Tlton
takes no action in regard to it, don't ''get up
on his ear over 1t as ordinary mortals have al
ways done. On the contrary. ell is lovely in
his household, as Moulton expresses it, until
at least December &c, 1870, for before this time
he had seen Mr.. and Mrs. Tllton under all
phases OF social intercourse, and had never
heard or known the slightest disagreement be-
tween them. but had believed that their marital
relations were almost exceptionally pleasant"
But on the 30th Of December. after the threat
eniug letter was written to Beecher, Moulton
is informed of the alleged adultery and Elton
Is terribly warm over it, so that Moulton has
to cool him Off" hold him" and Moulton does
this through his warm admiration" for Beech
or. On certain Friday night, Moulton goes
to Beecher and tells him that Tilton wants to
see hun In relation to certain domestic matters.
1t is a stormy night. Beecher goes forth with
Moulton to see Tilton. The meeting IL TO be
at Moulton's house. 1t would seem from the
expressions OF the parties that each knew what
was up. Beecher says there is an appropriate
ness in the storm, and asks Moulton "Wbat
shall do what shall do" Moulton replies
that though he ID not christian, but only a
heather, he Will stand by Beecher and show
him what to do. Now all this is ineligible
only on the supposition that Beecher conceded
his guilt as matter of fact, and that he knew
Moulton was acquainted with that fact, and or
that theory it is one OF the most remarkable
things developed by this scandal. The seduce
of the wife obeys voluntarily and with alacrty
the summons of the injured husband for an in
terview on the subject matter OF the injury
aud that after receiving letter from this hus.
band, now thoroughly upon bis ear" to I" git
: from Brooklyn. Beecher, 1t seems to us. would
unless innocent OF dementsd neither OF whicl
is pretended of him, but exactly the contrary
claimed, have stayed that stormy night With
: the safe walls of his own home. But he goe
TO Moultons house and is locked in room
with TiltOn and when he comes out he ask
{ Moulton if be had seen Mrs. Tltons comics
5 sion ? Noulton says yes. They then walk on
kindly, together. Moulton is heather an
Q not christian" Tilton was the friend OF hi
q boyhood, he locks arms with this to him hypc
) critical seducer Of the wife OF this friend @
Z, his boybood," and together they walk tn
5 streets Of brooklyn, Moulton full of comfol
e for the accused. They go to Tlton's hous,
{ and Beecher enters and has an interview wit
{ Mr.. Tilton alone. Mouton goes back to Tiltor
. The alleged seducer visits alone and in conf
n dence his victim This is utterly inexplcabl
= on the theory Of guilt on the part Of Beeche
+ We usually hear of murders. suicides, frst-cla:
row, shootings and lots OF stamping, oathl
i tearing OF hair shrieks and uproars general