The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-11
How The TiltOn and Beccher Witnesses
Contradict Each Other.
WHO TELLS THE TRUTH?
Is it Lying or q Gigantic
Mistake?
TWO VIEWS OF TIE QUESTION

dict Wnen we come 20 consider the wearisome
length 81 the proceedings, the utter prolixity OF
the leading witnesses the everlasting objections
springlng up every lew minutes on krotty points,
and the arguments arising ouE Of them, IL seems
10 be admitted that they. are sufficient TO puzzle
the wlsest twelve men that could ne found in the
CITY ol Churcnes. Tuen, there are the addresses
OF the opposing counsel TO be considered
IN the catalogue, which, viewed from the
jury gox, must sometimes appall such
or the occupants as happen TO reflect upon the
matter But II Is not the length OF the trial that
forms the greatest difficulty for the unfortunate
jury; Il Is IN the contradictions of the witnesses
by one another. one side swears everything is as
black as ink. while the other makes the incidents
pure and innocent; and just mere we come 10 the
very pth of the dnculty, which IS to decide which
side Is eling the truth. are they both Mistaken
Settle that question and the rest is all easy
enough.
~ IT ERROR or PERJURY
Before Mr.. Beecher tooE possession OF the wit
ness chair it was quite evident that the defence
had ADOPTED a strict line OF evidence, which was
TO contradict the takimony already adduced on
the part OF the plainrIn The evidence o. the ar
btrators IN relation to the tripartte letter showed
this sufficiently 70 prepare the public Tor stiIl
stronger contradictions on the part OF the defend
ant himself lie has denied and denied and win
apparently go on denying 10 the end OF his exam
inatIon.
The evidence OF Mr.. Beecaer has raised new
issue In the minds OF all thoughtful men, and they
decide it according TO their previous opinion or
prejudice regarding the case. TO the minds OF
some IL Is quite evident that the crime OF perjury
has been committed by one side or the other, and
here the decision is split again according TO the
settled convictions OF those considering the mat
ter. Whether they incline toward the plaintiffs
al or
believe that "the other side1 has sworn falsely.
Now, taking this vlew-tha. perjury has really
been commirted-it Is interesting 10 notice the
cificulty before the jury, now 70 settle the ques
ton which side the most entitled TO belief Just
look into the evidence as IL stands ana see how
perplexing the matter becomes.
BOTH TILToS And MoULToS
sworc positively 10 certain acts performed and
words uttered by Henry Ward Beecher which, as
narrated by them in the witness chair, gave color
and form 10 the terrible accusation made by them
against him. and which is the basis OF the entire
case. MRS. Mouton also testified in positive
manner TO certain significant utterances OF Mr..
Beecher touching his alleged adultery with the
wife OF Theodore ulton. These and other wit
nesses IN their evidence made IL appear that
Henry ward Beecher nsd confessed his SIM and
had asked forgiveness therefor. They exhibited
memoranda which had been, according TO them,
terviews. AZ which the defendant had gone
over the whole trouble and made an
enort to suppress II. In fact, tley testified
to guilty conduct, admitted by him
and Mrs. rton. Taey presented letters written
by the defendant which contained language both
unique and extraordinary. and interpreted them
as having direcE bearing upon the offence OF
which Mr.. Beecher stands accused. And they
made up case Of seeming consistency. because
what they uttered was under the sanctlty OF an
oath. All this array or alleged facts and inter-
ences having been spread upon tie minutes OF the
Court as sworn testimony, there Il remains tor
what II Is worth, until the Tor the defendant
also goes the record. Wen. tao defence have
gone pretty thoroughly into the matter. and now
that the defendant in the SUIT comes into the wit
ness chair his occupancy thereof Is principally
devoted %
DEFINITE DESrALs
OF the principal and salient points in the teg-
timony 81 bis accusers. TIE counsel Tor tue de-
fence have BOLDLY taken the bull % the horns, ana
whenever Ar. Eyarts touches upon anT OF these
points, sucn as the interviews Win Mr.. Tilton or
ar. Aouiton or with Mrs. Aoulton o. an OF the
remarkable letters and me 1n0randa he con tructs
his questions in SUCH q shape 70 make the
deniai tlat comes IN toe form o. an answer not
oniy complete but positive ia its tenor and scope.
when sir. BeecAer denies the staten snrs Of the
opposing witnesses he denies emphatically aad
frequently ~ Tue mos. solemn man manne 4:
TOOK oath that ought TO be even
more binding on bis conscience than the
one usually taken on the Gospels, and not content
win this. ne frequently swears over again while
uttering MS denlals. Tue contradictions could not
be more aecieed than IN tue form they 20 on the
minutes 81 tue court
Hence the case assumes an Importance that
hitherto y MS not neld. Inc question, now
ever a. waicn side tells the truth To those who
believe IA the tneory Of false witnesses 4 - very
Gear taat u Tilton and Mouiton and their sup
Dortrrs nave Tot periured themselves Mr.. Beecher
has. AUD y y equally GEAR mat u Pr. Beecher
tells the rntn, then the Others are base liars. Inis
- most remarkable phase, anu ~ renders the
case even more a mystery tBan before. PerJury
nas 5eeA Sonsntssu " Ons saee ~ ne ~ 80
In tue minds 81 many nlen there no
getting over that stern and palnful TACT. But
whca u the perJured sidel Ihat i question that
will only be answered ~ TIE verdlcs q Tue Jury,
wnch ~ ~ tenor viii tell the woria az large n0w
those twelve men view the ques 100 10 ne event
OF verdict everr man who noids % tue theory Of
perjury viii be compelled 10 maze up ~ MIND
Tor am.et. II toe jury disagree ana al thls tedi.
oas examination result N notnlsg. ino-t painful
issue wln be raised. There are portions Of t1e
puDic WHO viii believe the principal witnesses lor
tue pg0sccuti8n have committed al awful crime,
while another portion vii believe the same tuImx
o. Mr.. Beecner and n,s friends. L l. 4 terrible
TIE THEORY or the DErEyCE
r. that OF conspiracy, ana win tAat view TIE cOun
sci naturally put the defendant on tne s-An1 ~
deny the allegations u The prosecution 10 order t0
snow now tue conspiracy grew n lorn ana color,
and tney no doubt knew that the evideace q dr.
on their part; yet taxing their ylew-tAat NJ
Beecner i lnnocent-a very natural ser 70 taAe
lNuted Fh1iN Whe no ONAei kvVu ANteN ~ go ~
tneir side. IneY seek simply 20 pluck the mower
Of safety from tue nettle Ot danger.
hut what terrible TACT to be thrust upon US
We are asked ~ decide IN our minds wncn are
the perJurcrs. Il Il man who, up 70 the time
of this trial esteemed DY his fellow men - an
honest enterprsing and successful merchant
VINO has taken a laise Oatt Tor tAe purpose Of saw
fng or helping friend to whom lie was bound bY
no stronger Ties tnan those Of rendshipY H. ~
possible rat the vile Of Mr.. M0utOn, a lady of
Unidentified reputation, ana conscientlOus
member 81 Mr.. Beecher's church, mas deliber-
ately gone into court and glvea false testimony
against her pastor aud nrmest friend The nus.
band styled himself a neataen, Dut 10 Il
easy 10 see that ne Ii not 50 greata neataen 10
be unaware oil the gravity Of perjury N a moral
sense 10 saY nothing or the legal pcnaity attached
10 IL Ills wire, however. IS ne heatnen, ana u j.
awful 70 consider ner IA the light Or a false wit
mesa The contradictions Of Dotn these Witnesses
nv tne Defendant are however, complete ana den-
mite Then, are we TO look upon hilton, weak aud
vain as ne has been SHOWN oy the ineepenaent