Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-07-29
The Great Scandal.


The papers of last Thursday morning
contained the statement Of Mr.. Tilton
made before the committee ofinvestigation
charging Beecber with criminal acts, anC
accompanied with voluminous documentar,
evidence in the shape of letters and writ
ten statements from 10th Mr.. Beecher anC
Mrs. Tilton. The publication created thu
greatest sensation Of the age, and put Q
bad look on Beecher's side of the case
Since then, M. Beecher and Mrs. Iiltou
have made statements denying the charge,
and attempting au explanation Of the let.
tiers, 1.-THE authenticity of which are not
questioned). The explanation does not
seem to satisfy the public, aud further tes-
timony is anxiously waited for, though at
present, the aspects of the case are more
favorable for Beecher than just after the
publication Of Tilton's sworn statement.
Were the charges unaccompanied by any
proof save the statement Of Mr.. Titon.
they would have received little credencc,
as that gentleman's standing, to say the
least, is not what it once Was, and COM
pared with Mr.. Beecher's, would have
scarcely any weight; but when Tilton fur.
nishes confessions (Which by the way are
Of the most abject character and which
contain very extravagant and uncalled for
expressions for any act short of what Til.
ton claims) puts hiu in a position where
something more than simple denials from
hundred Beechcrs would be required to
disprove the statement. The explanation
is the work which Beecber and his friends
ere now devoting themselves.
The Graphic says "that Mr.. Bcecher's
defense may not appear before next week,
over his own name, the following outline
Of its character, derived from persons
protesting to thoroughly understand the
situation, is believed to cover the points
which he will endeavor TO make in his
statement Of the Tilton case. The docu.
ment will be a very powerful and start
ling enc, and will make some confessions
which will create as much surprise as
Tllton's now famous presentation of his
alleged personal grievances. Mr.. Beecher
will acknowledge that, since the beginning
OF his ministry, he has been beset by let.
tiers addressed to him from women, ex.
pressing great personal admiration for
him as man and minister. lie will
show that communications Of this nature
are constantly received by every noted
man IN this city especially is it the fate
OF clergymen, poets and actors to be the
recipients OF these abnormal demonstra.
tions from women who are generally dis
ceased, physiologicolly and psychological.
After this general statement, Mr..
Beecher viii alude to the case of Mrs
Tilton, vino, it seems, conceived for him
most extraordinary passion. Knowing
the lady from childhood. having married
her to her husband, and heen on terms of
close relationship with them both, he was
led by strange infatuation to submit to
her Establishments, aud an intimacy was
ormed, which while it was not criminal.
vas reprehenslble, or at least put him in
4 position which made him seem to do
great wrong to Theodore Tilton He will
,enfess that both he and Mrs. Titon. were
very emotional, given to exaggeration in
sentiment, and that the correspondence be.
,ween them was not what should have ex.
sted between pastor and lady, that
ady the wife Of his friend. But the pc.
saliarity Of the case was, Mrs. Tiltou
bitterly Of her husbands self.
'ufhciency, want of kindness to her, and
possible ,nidelity. She looked up to Mr..
Beecher for that affection and sympathy
which she failed to find at home. Mr..
Beecher will acknowledge that he toyed
with temptation, and that he allowed kind
less aud expressions Of sympathetic tend.
'rness by Mrs. Tilton, and that he recip.
ocated them to q great degree; SO much
0, that, while not actually guilty Of any
yrong to Theodore Titon, he SO far com.
romised himself and the lady as to rem
sr necessary, as i appeared to hif mind,