The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-07-30
MR.. BEECHER'S STATEMENT.

remarkable statement Of Mr.. Theo
dore Tilton made before the Commit
tee OF Investigation, and which ap-
peared in the Brooklyn A.yusof July
II, 1874. [ recognize the many
reasons which make it Of transcend
ant Importance to myself, the Church,
and the cause of public morality that
| shall give a full answer to the
charges against ME. But having re-
quested the Committee of Investiga-
ton to search this matter to the bot
tom, itis to them [ look for my vim
dicaion.
But ] cannotldeIay for an hour to
defend the reputation of Mrs ELIAS
beth h. Tilton, upon whose name,
IN connection with mine. her husband
has attempted to pour shame.
One less deserving Of such disgrace
| oever knew. From childhood she
has been under my eye, and since
reaching womanhood she has had
my sincere admiration and affection.
| cherish for her pure feeling, such
as a gentleman might honorably offer
toa Christian woman, and which she
might receive and reciprocate without
moral scruple. I reject with indig-
nation every imputation which re-
fleets upon her honor or my own,
My regard for Mrs. Tilton was
perfectly we'll known to my family !;
when serious difficulties sprang up in
her household it was to my wife that
she resorted for counsel (; and both
of US, acting from sympathy, and, as
it subsequently appeared. without
full knowledge, gave unadvised coun-
sci which tended to harm.
[ have no doubt that Mr.. Tilton
found that his wife's confidence and
reliance upon my judgement had
greatly increased, while his influence
aad diminished, in consequence Of a
marked change in his religion and
social views, which was taking place
during those years. Her mind was
greatly exercised lest her children
should be harmed by views which
she deemed vitality false and danger
GUS.
was suddenly and rudely aroused
to the reality of pending danger by
the disclosure of domestic distress, Of
sickness, perhaps unto death, of the
likelihood Of a separation, and the
scattering of a family every member
OF which [ had tenderly loved. The
effect upon me of the discovery of the
state of Mr. Tilton's feelings. ard
the condition of his family, surpass-
ed in sorrow and excitemen anything
that [ had ever experienced in my
life. That my presence, influence,
and counsel had brought to beloved
family sorrow and alienation, gave,
in my state of mind, poignancy to
my suffering which hope no other
man may ever feel.
Even to be suspected of having
offered, under the privileges of a
peculiarly sacred relation, an indeco-
rum to wife and mother could not
but deeply wound any one who is
sensitive to the honor womanhood.
There were peculiar reasons for alarm
in this case on other grounds, mas
much as | was then subject to GER
tain malignant rumors. and fragrant
outbreak in this family would bring
upon them an added injury, derived
from these shameless falsehoods.
| Believing at the time that nv
presence and counsels had tended
however unconsciously, to produce
social catastrophe. represented as
imminent, l gave expression to my
feelings IN an interview with mu-
tual friend, not in cold and cautious,
self defending words, but eagerly,
taking blame upon myself, and pour
ing out my heart to my friend IN the
strongest language, overburdened
with the exaggerations ofimpasslon.
ed sorrow. Had | been the evil man
alr. I1lton represents, I should have
been calmer and more prudent. 1t
was my horror Of the evil imputed
that filled me with morbid intensity
at the very shadow of it.
Not onlv mo, c.:I 7