Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-09-04

one occasion. according to the testimony OF Miss
Turner she told her husband that it was lie
that she had confessed to him her intimacy with
Mr.. Beecher. This witness was the same person
who, it was said by Tilton and Moulton, was sent
to a boarding-school to get rid of her, because
she had heard Tilton make charges against her.
Miss Turner and Mrs. Tilton both agree in saying
that it was Tilton's plan to have her go
away, because she had stated to her
friends that Tilton had twice attempted
intimate relations with her during the absence
of Mrs Tilton in the country. T1lton was last
losing place and position because OF his social
views and practices, and feared the publicity OF
this girls statement. The sum of S2,OO0 was IN
vested to pay her expenses while at school, but
the committee say the absurdity of supposlng
that Mr.. Beecher would invest that sum to get
persons to leave town, to whom Mr.. Tilton had
been peddling his scandal, was transparent.
Persons to whom Tilton had talked in some form
of the scandal We're too numerous to justify an
whose wealth could not be counted by millions.
just as Miss Turner was leaving for school Mr.
Titon procured from her, with the ald OF ms Wlle
letter denying the reports of improper liberties
Here Mr.. Tilton shone conspicuously as manu-
facturer of evidence
Mr.. Tilton, when before the committee, when
reference was made to the Griffith Gaunt let
ter, seemed to think that the otfense OF GrlhIn
Gaunt was adultery, and accordingly relied upon
the letter as incontroyertible evidence OF MS
charge In this he was mistaken.
1t was principle of common law tnaI mar.
ried woman cannot commit or be held to commit
q crime perpetrated in the presence OF ner nus
band and this upon the idea that the husDano
presence and influence amount to duress, ana
that she is therefore, not responsible. Whether
or not it was necessary to invoke this RUE OF Jaw
to excuse Mrs. Tilton, it could pc seen IN Wnas
Mr. Tilton was able to extort from her without
her yolition or real assent something Oh tne rea-
sons which moved the early expounder OF the
English common law to assert the doctrine re-
ferred to. .
The committee having reviewed the evidence,
proceed to contrast the characters OF Mr.. Tnton
and Mr.. Beecher In respect to the former, the
aly. hn 10
makes SO bold face? He had lately become
very different man from what he was formerly re-
ported to be. Signs, of degeneraey have set IN
which make him dlscredited man in the COM
munity After his espousal of the new marital
philosophy his downfall was rapid and COM
ete In seohn his ar an ape beoe be
world as the indorser of Victoria G. Woodruff,
and lends his name to biography OF her which
would have sunk any mans repntaion rew
which author rises again" Such is the ac-
cuser.
of Plymouth Church, who has been clergyman
with harness on for forty years: He has been Nv
6f gra hs S sGpi an Usefulness and
SAINT work. Those who have been most
intimate with him, at home and abroad,
report nothing Of his tif souS or
We are asked by Tilton and Moulton to Deheve
that Mr. Beecher, with his long and useful life
and high character to sustain him. Is Unworthy ,d!
of confidence, regard or respect. Christian char-
acter and great services, which are usually con-
sidered tower of strength and defense, Wnen
one is assailed are to 60 for naught TO
and send him and his good name and family to
the vortex of moral destruction. We are TO 40
this upon what? Upon some wild, absurd h II ana a
this work does not succeed In dlsgulslng MS
malicious and revengeful designs. No tribunal
administering justice ever held charge OF adul-
for nv words.
spoken, that are denied ana not connected WIN
circumstances and appearances pointing unmls'
takably to the guilt OF the accused.
Upon a review of all the evidence relied on by
the accuser the committee conclude that he
utterly fails to sustain the charges made, and
make the following statement of conclusions:
Ward Beecher did not commit adultery with Mrs.
Elizabeth r. Tilton, either at the time or times;
or at the place places set forth in the third
and fourth subdivisions OF Mr.; IlltG ION state
3. We find from the evidence that Mr.. Beecher
has never committed any unchaste or improper
act with Mrs. Tilton, nor made any unchaste or
improper remark, profer, or solicitation to her,
of any kind or description whatever.
3. IF this were question OF error OF Judg-
ment on the part of Mr.. Beecher, it would be
easy to criticise especially in the light of recent
events. In such criticism, even in the extent OF
regret and censure, we are sure no man YOU'D
d. We find nothing whatever in the evidence
that should impair the perfect confidence OF
Plymouth Church or the world in the Christian
character and integrity of Henry Ward Beecher;:
And now let the peace of God, that passeth all
understanding, rest and abide with Plymouth
Church and its beloved and eminent pastor, so
much and so long afflicted.
HENRY W. SAGE,
AUGUSTUS SToRRs,
HENRY M. CLEVELAND,
HORACE B. CLAFLIN,
JOHN WINsLow,
S. V. WHITE,
Committee of Investigation.
BROOKLYN, Aug. n, 1874