Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-08-29

vlctlon by Jury. In a case Unal
has from the first been so full OF
startling developements, it would
perhaps be hazardous, even yet to
pronounce final judgment, but, as
the evidence now stands, there Is
sad reason to fear that the cloqu
which has settled down upon tne
name of Americas greatest preacher
is never to be wholly lifted.
From the Cincinnati Gazette
The public already knows MOulton
as a treacherous confdant. Even
if Beecher were guilty of-all that the
unwholesome fancy of Tilton has
charged, it would not affect the
proof of Moulton's perfdlty. de
was the active and willy agent to
weave the net work of circumstan-
ees around Mr.. Beecher.
Moulton has impeached himself
His word is deserving of no credit,
save as supported by other things.
The documents he furnishes are not
to be taken as proof till subjected to
scrutiny; for we have to remember
that Tilton's first accusation of
Beecher uttered for undeniable proof
an opology which Moulton fabrica-
ted, and that garbling has already
been unscrupulously used, and there
is reason to suspect forgery. We
remember. also, that after the IIlton
story was published in the WOOD
hull paper, both Tilton and Moulton
took pains to assure assistant pastor
Halliday that it was wholly false
Fr,m the Cincinnati Commercial.
T. is to be said briefly of the cor
resnondence divulged in Moulton's
pIain and business like statement,
that it is Ineligible on the hypoth-
esis of Beecher's guilt, and cannot
be harmonized with the presumption
of his innocence without violating
common sense. If innocent, Mr..
Beecher has involved himself in a
network of suspicious evidence
more intricate than we remember
any innocent man ever to have been
caught.
Moulton and Tilton may be dis
honorable men-we neither affirm
nor deny-but in the light of the
documentary evidence now before
the public, what they are, or how
they have conducted themselves, is
of very little consequence. Mr..
Beecher's letters are the most pow
erful eliminating evidence against
him yet pro duced. The CORES
pondents and the New York editors
NAV write down Tilton and Moulton;
they will be unable to build up faith
in Beecher's innocence in the face
of evidence he has himself furnish
ed.
From the Louisville CourierJournal
Moulton's statement is confrma-
tory rather than new. 1t presents
an extraordinary chain of circum-
stantial and documentary evidence
in the support of the original charge
of Tilton and in the contradiction of
Beecher's statement. There never
has been any room for reasonable
doubt in the business, however; and,
therefore, disinterested and intelli-
gent people do not need Moulton's
publication to assure them of Beech
er's guilt They who doubt it would
not believe though one should rise
from the dead.
From the Boston Post.
Unless Moulton has filled his long
statement with deliberate faIsehoods,
like the specks or spangles which
the brother and sister speak of in
their letters to each other, the charg-
es of blackmail are not only clearly
and easily refuted, but, in the simple
refutation, arise charges against
Beecher of dissimulation, hypocrisy,
heartlessness, and final ingratitude,
which, if verified, will inspire the
revolution against Christianity" as
exemplifed by Plymouth Church
and its pastor, which Mr.. Bowen so
reasonably anticipated The
charge of blackmail against Tilton
falls OF stands with that against
Moulton. the original letters are
strongly fortified, and until some
further revelation in the case of
Beecher VS.. Beecher the plaintiff is
unimpeached.
From the PHILADELPHIA Press.
When Mr.. Beecher's statement
was published few days ago it GER
tainly created a reactionary move
ment in the public mind in his favor. |
1t seemed to be fair and plausible |
relation of very painful circumstan-
ces, throughout which Mr.. Beecher
had behaved with great weakness,
but probably with no very bad in
,entions. Mr.. Moulton's statement
will just as certainly stop the wave
# popular feeling in Mr. Beecher's
avor and set it in the other direc-
ion.
This terrible statement of Mr..
1oulton rests on the character which
DR.. Beecher has given him. That
its foundation and strength before
he people. "Many. many friends
las God raised up to me, but to no
ne of them has He ever given the
pportunity and the wisdom so to
erVe me as you have" So writes
'eecher to Moulton; and again,
,riting to Mrs. Tilton, Beecher ex- S
laims, ''The friend whom God sent t
me (Mr. Moulton), has proved 4
DoVe all friends that ever l had
Die and willing to help me in this \
rrible emergency of my life," Mrs. !
llton, too, addresses him as tsMy
EAR friend Frank" Evidently both
r. Beecher and Mrs Tilton are es- !,
pped from attacking the character .
this mutual friend, who now takes :
e stand as the leading witness 4
,ainst them both. )
AsroUNDNe.-Bessie Tilton, for the G
yment of whose educational expenses,
u OF Brooklyn, Beeeher gave so freely,
rs testified before the Plymouth Church :,
and one important item of her -
.SUmOnV ia fl,af 81, "