Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-11
v,he Beecher-TiItOn Scandal.
MoULTON'S STATEMENT.

New YonK, Aug. l0.-The Brooklyn Argus
savs the statement submitted by MOuItou GOV
| ers more than twice the number OF pages OF
manuscript used by MIR. Tilton in his sworn
statement. MIR. Moulton rests his case almost
entirely on the documentary evidence Which
has been voluntarily placed in his possession by
MIR. Beecher, Mr.. 1iIton, Mrs llIton, Mrs
Morse Mrs Tton' mother, and otner persons;
MIR, Moulton declares with repeated and
earnest assurances that he has preserved his
friendly relations with all The parties to the
ease during the long period covered by the doc
umcnts in his possession, and that he has sln'
cerelv desired to effect reconciliation between
T,lton and Beecher. When the attacks upon
Triton were made public by Beecher's friends,
Moulton tet compelled to come to the support
of Tilton and approved of the course taken by
Titon in selfdefence.
Mr. Moulton finds it necessary to recur to
the beginnings OF the controversy, the whole
difficulty having originated ID olnerences 9e-
tween Henry G.. Bowen aud Hilton. lie
pives history of Tiltons serious complications
with Bowen, and step by step traces the pro-
gross of the breach between them, leading up
70 the final complication between Tllton and
Reechcr, out of which grew the tripartltc cove
nant.
Moulton makes incidental illusions to some
of the important interviews mentioned by
| Frank B. Carpenter, especially those which
related to Bowen's connection with the case
MIR, Moullou's narrative comes in due course
to the scenes between himself aud Beecher in
the house of the latter; the letters written by
Mrs Triton at the request Of her husband and
Bcechcr; the writing of the Beccher apology,
the whole text of which has already been made
public, and the remarkable letter IN which MT
Beccher describes himself as living ION the
sharp aud ragged edge Of anxiety, remorse,
fear, despair The last named letter has re-
manned 10 the custody of Mr.. Moultou from
the day it was written up to the present time
The small portion OF |: Included IN NIT. lllton 5
sworn statement was all that was then placed
nv MIR. Moultou at Mr.. TiItop's disposal. The
whole letter occupies two full pages Of toolscap
paper and the intensity of expression revealed
10 the extract already published Is It's prevail
ing tone throughout. All the letters from Mr.
Beecher from which quotations are made IN
MIR. Iilton's statement, have been laid in full
by MIR. Moultou before the committee.
It is established by Moulton's evidence that
the letter of apology written by MIR. Beechcr
on the eve of January /, 1871, was, as has al
ready been inlimated, written by Mr.. Moulton
at Mr.. Beechcr's dctation, and that Beccher
himself wrote the last line and appended his
signature.
The statements made by Mrs. Tilton in her
published denial, and in her cross. examination
before the committee, are not sustained by
Moultou's evidence. He states that Mrs. Til
ton communicated with him freely and conf
dentialIy in regard To the complications OF this
scandal regarding her, as alike the friend OF
herself, her husband and Mr.. Beecher. Mrs
Morse also made confdante of MIR. MoutoD,
depositing with that gentleman some important
letters bearing on this case. These letters, to-
gether with others written to Hilton, go tar to-
wards strengthening Tton' position.
1t is now understood that the statement re-
vised by Mr.. Mouton will be furnished to the
press for publication about noon tomorrow.
Mr.. Moulton was before the investigating
committee only about fifteen minutes, and it is
asserted by some that he did not make any
statement at ALL If be did make any it was
very brief The committee will hold an IN
formal meeting for consultation at ii o'clock
day, and formal session 10 the evening to
take testimony, and perhaps close the lnvestl-
CATION.
The Brooklyn Eagle, says: Mr. Francis d.
Mouton appeared before the Plymouth lnves-
,igatpg Committee this afternoon. lie read
to them very short statement, which is to be
kept private until Tomorrow morning. The
Eagle, however, asccrtancd that it is favorable
to Mr. Beecher. MIR. Mouton disclaims hav-
ing any testimony in his possession confrma
tory of Mr.. Tilton's charges He said he was
prepared to submit to the committee the origi-
nails of letters cited by MIR. Tilton in his state
ment, but apart from doing that, he had no
statement to make His part in this business,
he added, had been that OF peace maker. and
that role he proposed to adhere to- Of the
gossip that had come to his ears in any way he
had resolved to say nothing Ii MIR. Bcecher
and Mr. Tilton we're determined to fight, he
could not prevent them, but he was resolved TO
add no fuel to the fame.
The Eagle adds AT the most Beecher
cannot have more than eight or ten years OF
useful labor before him. The women and the
children are deserving Of the chief consideration
and now the door can be safely closed in the
face of the morbid curiosity of the world as
soon as Beccher shall have told his story. The
world, even more than MIR. Tilton, can forgive
the offense. whatever it be, into which MIR.
Beccher fell. There has been enough of de-
struction done in this case The friends of
morality and religion, of Beecher and of Til
ton, will be DOW inclined to build up, for there
has been attempt enough to tear down; and
though in the manly course Moulton has seen
fit to adopt scandal ,mongers and poltrooms may
find disappointment, every one else-men of
religion, of honor, and Of the world--will fud
satisfaction.
! ANOTHER DEAD ToWN-Port Conway and
Dunircs are not the only dead towns, the
ruins CT which mark the sites of thriving marts
in Colonial times. They are numerous, and
may be found on either bank of the Potomac
and it's tributaries from Alexandria to its
mouth. On the right bank of Aqua creek
about eight miles from its mouth are the ruins
Of Aqua City, once a famous tobacco mart of
the oldeu time Nothing now remains to tell
of its ancient grandeur, except two or three
chimnies, moss grown and covered with ivy
the main structures having yielded to times de-
| strnvnp element