The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-02-11
Mr.. Beecher's Line of Defense.

From the Cincinnati Commercal-EditoriaIl
1t Is our purpose to invite the atten-
t1on OF our readers to certain circum-
stances showing what the theory of the
defense must be, and that there is reason
still to hope that the innocency of Mr..
Beecher of the crime with which he is
charged, can be established. We are
not about to urge the plausibi]ity of this
theory, but will content ourselves with
presenting it as a possibility.
Our readers have noticed the recur-
renee OF the phrase "spiritual adultery, "
or as Mr.. Tllton phrased it in an article
OF his read in his cross examination,
" adultery of the soul. This, Tilton
said in his editorial, was the most Grim
lnal form of the crime. He is man of
poetic temperament and morbid moods,
excitable, cratic, seeker of originality,
cultlvator of the imagination, and he
has testified that his memory is a series
OF plctures-not record of events.
Many have read the novel of "Grifith
Gaunt, and recollect the devotion of the
lady to the priest, mistaken by the hus-
band for a criminal passion. Mrs. Til
ton, it will be remembered, referred to
this story, and admitted that, like
Catherine Gaunt, she had given up too
much of her heart to her pastor, and she
felt remorse for it. Suppose the trouble
began right here.
Mr.. TGton has expressed himself that
" adultery of the SOUL is the highest
form Of the crime. He accused his wife
Of that. She confessed it. He was
Jealous Of Beecher's fame, and now came
to look upon him as usurping his place
in his wife's affections. Out Of this grew
morbidness, ,wretcnedness, andacute exag-
geration of petty things aggravation.
OF all lrrltatlOns state Of monOmania.
Mrs. Tilton is a nervous person, worn
with sickness, weary of contention, afraid
OF her husband, devoted to long prayers
and vigils, timid little woman, magina-
tive, troubled with fancies, craving sym
pathy and support, shrinking from CON
tentlOn, and often III dreamy state of
mind like an opium eater-a woman of
Illusions one who has fallen into frances.
She says her husband was everlastingly
nagging at her about this crime Of the
soul, and endeavoring to give it physi-
cal Interpretation, and especially to ac-
cuse Mr.. Beecher. She might, there
fore, write or say almost anything, with
out seriously affecting the case.
| Instances are not unfrequentin which
people go on misunderstanding each
other vitality for years, when both believe
all the while that they have perfect
knowledge. They may converse, each
in his own current of thought, and
neither see the thoughts of the other. It
is the lack of mutual understanding that
makes quarrels. In these entangle-
ments, what one utters as a protest be-
| comes to the other a confession a word
of sef-reproach for trivial thing is
sounded abroad as cry of despair The
world is full of these neutrality-suspicious.
The drama-farce and tragedy abound
with them. History bristles with them
I" Trifes light as air. in other than the
miserable scenes Of stinging jealousy
become confirmation strong as proofs
of holy writ, Of some preconceived no
ton. One may walk very near the truth
and yet in an abyss of falsehood
We offer this theory of the defense
merely as worthy the considerate atten
ton of our readers, feeling that the vas
majority of them would be happy to wei
come any rational solution of the darl
mystery of the case, consistent with tn
redemption Of the illustrious name tha
is now in the valley of the shadow
death.