Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-09
EVARTS' END.
His Summing up for Beecher
Closed.

Traey-Ragged Edge Reflections
stepping Down and Out-BOWeD's
Treacher0us WhIsPerings-Defe
ants Policy OF silence.
NEW YORK, June S.-The number Of
ladies in attendance at the Brooklyn City
courtroom to-day was largely in excess Of
that Of several previous days. Both parties
TO the suit were present, and a. 10 minutes
past the hour Eyarts resumed h-s sum-
ming up.
Counsel began by arguing that the whole
controversy was ended # Gen. Tracy's mar
rative Of his interview at MOUlton's house
in 1872 was accepted as correct. This in
terview was brought about by Tilton and
Moulton for their own purposes, and for
those purposes an honest explanation Of
the situation was required.
Evarts made an extended defense Of
Tracey's professional conduct in appearing
as a witness, which we spare the reader in
asmuch as Tracey is not the party on trial.
Eyarts then spoke Of the ragged edge let
ter, which showed how cunningly Tilton
and M0ultOn had begun 10 work on~the
feelings of BeecheT in respect to his COM
Function for the injuries he thought he had
done Tilton. That letter referred to a
note from Mrs. TiltOn, in which she said
her husband felt hard towards BeecheT,
and thought be was not doing what he
could 20 help him. This, EVarts said,
showed the ripple which swelled into the
stream. This letter was full Of strong feel
ing, AMI showed the same UnmeasuTed
compunctiOn and selfrep-oach which
Beecher had previously manifested for his
share in the misf0rtunes Of IIltOn.
Counsel explained q am ready to step
down and out; if my destruction viii save
TntOn, am ready Tor the sacrifice" He
said this meant if TiltOn wanted to ter
inmate the policy Of silence, he was ready,
as he said in the June after, to step down
from the pulpit if investigation would
come.
Evarts next descauted at length on Bow
ems "treacheroUs whispeTings."
Counsel wished the jury to judge Beecher
divested OF all the advantages Of his posi-
ton. as a man like all Of US; but he did
not wish him 70 be judged as protiigate,
or a man Of selfish and meTceDaIy charac-
ter. He was to be judged as a man Of re-
fined nature, generous heart and keen SEP
sibilitieS.
Evarts then read the litter in which
Beecher said be had resolved to CON
tend no longer; that all yhe artihces by
which they had tried to save themselves
had proved worthless, and that IheOdOre's
character was such a 20 leave no hope for the
future. That is, Mr.. Evarts said, Beecher
had found that the policy Of silence in spite
Of all the burdens 1t had imposed did not
secure its own object.
he read the reply Of MOultOn in which
the latter told Beecher be could stand If the
whole case were published tomorrow.
Could MOultOu. could any man suppose a
Minister Of any Christian Church could
maintain his standing if he stood morally
Onvicted Of adultery?
There are two persons, said the counsel,
excluded by law from the witness stanG.
Beecber must lose all his Wife's knowledge
and memory of The facts and circumstances.
Mrs. TI!ton is excluded, and that IS the
exclusion by the statute Of all that period
Cf confidential intercourse between nus
band and wife. And yet PLAINTIFF
counsel have chosen 70 intimate that they
would not object 10 her testimony. Wen,
there was an early discussion about Triton
being a witness, and they carried their
poiTt. Why didn't they then speak OF mrs.
Tihon Why, they didn't want her 10
test, Y against him. The course for them
was to call her themselves. The plaintiff
had given evidence over and
over again of her denials in the
letter TO DR.. Storrs aud in the declaration
that the Woodruff scandal was base lie
It is evflert that she could disclose nothing
of interest.
Nir. Evaus concluded as follows:
And now, If your Honor please, we
must acknowledge with respectful defer
enca the spositiOn and order Of this
solemn trial, so interesting to these par
ties. TO this community, 10 all present
life in ChristendOm, all the
future Of history, and acknowledge
that, if there be any miscarriage Of justice,
your skiIts win be clear Of it; and also to
admit that, in our actual experiences Of
the course Of things in the trial, the ankle
ties and s0lic tudes made us so urgent to
have limits secured by definite orders OF
court under an assignment OF particulars
of the charge, have proved TO
he unnecessary; for we have
not had any evidence at all Of any time or
place bv anv witnesses going outside Of the
charge, and none, as L think, within it.
And YOU. gentlemen, have done your duty
as faithfully as citizens ever do 1t. You
have been taken from your emplOyments,
YOUR profits; and, in some instances perhaps,
in some degree from your livelihood,
and every day and every hour from the be
ginning 10 the end you have given 70 the
witnesses and counsel the honor of your
patient interested, indulgent attention;
and ia your verdict you VIII
find an5, we shall find with joy, that the
Truth rgatches all round and your verdict
will be no exception. loud applause.J
At e:25 P. NJ. the court adjourned.