The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-04-08

wonderful displays OF vocal tremOl0,
that we all feel quite used up.
take place in the neither shades, where
Rhadamanthus and Triptolemus preside at
the judgment tribunal, but they are not
often witnessed in the courts or this world.
1t was Beecher's great day of opportunity,
and he called ali his wonderful powers,
forces and faculties into play for the oc-
casion. He told the strange tale OF the
times, in which he is the foremost figure, as
only he could tell it. His language was
picturesque, his imagination vivid, and his
manner and voice adapted themselves to
every exigency in way that can be but
partially compromised even by
those who have long been
| familiar with his genius in these
directions. In describing pathetic scenes,
| or in referring to assaults upon his honor
his emotions frequently overcame him so
that he spoke tremulously, while his face
| photographed his mental anguish, and the
tears bursting from his eyes rolled down his
checks. 1t was really painful spectacle to
see the famous old gray-haired man break
down like child, and give way to uncon-
tr0ilable tears, as he sat in that witness
chair Darrating his wretched experiences
with TiltOn. Those of us who have often
seen him shed tears when preaching, were
/ hardly less shocked than those to whom
such scenes were novelty. Perhaps
THE MOST IMPRESSIVE SCENE
of the morning was that with which the
first session closed, when Beecher gave a
narrative sketch of the bedroom interview
with Mrs. Tilton, to procure her letter of re-
traction. We had been led to il by a series
of stages each OF which surpassed the ether
in intensity, and in their action upon the
mind. 1t was trial Of Beecher's peculiar
powers. His description of Mrs. ifiIton's
position, of his words to her, OF hers to him,
and of how she came to write the retractioD,
was feat not the printed words can do JUS
hce to. Behind and intershot all through
the words was the living manner, pathetic,
solemn and dignihed to tho last degree. The
courtroom was dreadful in the literal sense
of that word. 1t was as awful a place as any
man has been in in modern times. Jury,
Judge, counsel and audience were under the
spell of the story teller, and yet BeecheT's
manner seemed as natural and devoid of eff
fort as can be imagined. Beecher himself
surrendered to his emotions. His daughter,
who bears such close resemblance to him,
wept in sympathy. His sons, brothers ana
sisters were all touched, aud only mis- wife
remained unmoved. Tears sprung TO the
eyes OF half the people in court, including
several of the jurors. Tllt9n's face WAS sOr- |
rowtul, MoultOn half surrendered, and |
even beheld a newspaper reporter en- gagged |
in uneontroIlabls weeping. This remsrka |
bic reporter is a fat, red laced man, with |
mutton chop whiskers and noustaehe, who |
does stsnOgraphic work for a Brooklyn pa per.
The testimony OF so-oay moved with irregu-
larity, shifting from one thing. to anothesin
ways that were doubtless understood by Mr..
Evarts, but if we've to reduce it to orderly
divisions, 1t might be brought under fOar
different heads. Firstly, an explanation of
the minor incidents-of iDculpation that have
been brought forward. Secondly, Beechers
solemn and direct denial, once and again, Of
ever having had any criminal or improper
relations with Mira. Tilton. Thirdly, MS
explicit and emphatic denial of the truth of.
almost every allegation sworn 10 by Frank
MoultOn; and, fourthly, his explanation CT /
the circumstances Under which his letter OF
apology or coDtritioa was produced, and Of
its meaning. Other matters were covered,
but these are the leading features. Now,
then, as to the minor incidents. Beecher |
began by telling of the first visit he had from
Bessie Turner: then admitted
he HAD PRESENTED FLOWERS
to Mrs. Tilton, and many ether people;
denied that she ever sat in his. lap; denied
all knowledge Of the suspicious incident
mentioned by her brother; told of his tree
and friendly WAYS in Tilton.s house, as in
his own; OF Mrs. Tilton's conversations in
which she was always glorifying Theodore;
then described Mrs. TiltOn's character, and |
told of their mutual affection and respect,
utterly pure and holy. He next went over |
the ground couIsed by the alarming dates
of the 10 and 18th OF October, 1865 when his
adulterOus intercourse is said to have /
begun. He told of the Tilton-
Bowen troubles, and reeounted In his re-
markable way the stories OF Iilton's alleged
fornication. He sketched the original inter-
view, of the 10th of December, with Moul-
ton; the cantankerous interview of the
same night with Tilton, and the subsequent
bedroom interview with Mrs. T1lton on the
same night, to which / have already re-
ferred. He then described the pistol inter-
mil nEonl%nra in uhiQh his poQrVal- 4
Gus skill at storytelling was again dis
played. My second division OF subjects in
ciudes his categorical denial OF guilt in re-
ply to a carefully constructed series of ques-
tiOns addressed to him at II o'clock by Mr..
Evarts The scene during the de-
by far the most solemn of all the proceed
ings 20 a reasoning mind. Before delivering |
them, Evarts paused, Strengthened himself,
and looked directly at Beecher, in way |
which indicated that something important
was coming. In loud, clear tones, Mr..
Evarts asked the first question which related
to undue familiarities. Beecher sat up
straight faced his quesIioner, his accused
and the court, and, with the profoundest
emphasis, said, Never" To the second
question, which related to solicitation, he
answered still more emphatically, Never"
To the third question, have you received i'm
proper favors, he exclaimed, energetically, |
at would be impossible for her, never; no,
never" Loud applause.l The last OF the |
four questions was, Ibid you ever have car
nal intercourse, or sexual intercourse with |
Mrs. Tilton?" Beecher raised his voice, and
in tremulous tones, responded, "No sir,
never" while
THE TEARS BURST INTO his EYES.
Mr.. Evarts sat down at this climax. and for |
over five minutes there was hushed and
solemn pause in the court. The sensation
was intense over this dramatic surprise. |
Tears cleaned in the eyes OF Triton, whose
gaze was riveted on the powerful face of |
Beeeher. Moulto-'s face was redder than
his hair, hut his small eyes were closed
while all his facial muscles twitched. Beech
er's wife looked impressive as ever, but his
sons aud daughter, sisters and brother,
cleaned with delight. When Evarts re-