New-York tribune., 1875-01-26
.TILTON'S PROPOSED VERDICT FOR THE
CHURCH COMMITTEE.

"Thc undersigned, constituting the Committee OF
Plymouth Church. 10 whom referred certain recent publ
cations Of d. Leonard Bacon and Mr. Theodore TIt0n, hereby
present thrir unanimous report. ,,
with each Of the three following named persons to wit Mr.
Tilton, Mrs Tlton, aud the pastor, an oil wn9ih non
freedom cador Documents letters and papers pertain
ing the carefully considered multiplicity OF
details needing TO be duly weighed occasioned somewhat
proracted investigation The Committee hope that the appar
srdncss Of their report will be compensated to the parties
by recyinga public sentiment under which they
have all suffered Misrepresentation. ~ 49, .
IL The Committees first interview was with Mrs Elizabeth
Il. 1iOn whose testimony was given with mOdesy ana
touching sincerity that deeply moved those VINO listened 10
Her straightforward nsrye was an unconscious ndcao
Of her innocence and purity OF Character ana Coned Wy e M
d.nces In the documents She peed with warm feeling the
idea that herhusbnd was the author OF caumn0uS statements
against her or had ever treated he5 Mh otL hih % ,
CiyarDus consideration and protection She pd h9h IT'D
to his character and also 10 efoude with which no had
H. The Committee further find that Mr. Tlton in his rela
ceyed voluntary apology. Mr. Tton declined to character
the offence for the following reasons: First because
the evidence which should accompany any statement
would include the names Of persons who had happily e'-
capped the tongue Of public gossip next tnat ne apology
was designed complicated transaction, ITS details
difficult Of just statements and last that no possible
gooa could arise from satisfying the pubic CURIOSITY on uT,
called the attention OF the Committee to the fat that he
during the late council and had since unqua1edly contra
dcted and rcracted his statements as untrue and unjust sno
no (Nr IT. requested the Committee ray and confirm that
apology making honorable record Of the same In their report
which j. hereby cheerefuly done ~ =,
Ill The Committee further find that the Hey Henry ward
Becher coroboated the statements Of Mr. and Mrs
Ttoa lie also said the church action OF whiGn G1
the pastor, but had been taken Independently by the
church that the popular impression that Mr. Titon had
been in the habit Of speaking against nm wa,
unjust Mr. t. and owing mainly to the unNelc0me IN
PRODUCTION into the church Of charges against Mr. T. by mere
handful persons who in DONG had received no cone-
nance from great Of the congregation or from the pastor
He the apology had been Invested by the public press
with an undue mystery that after having been led by his own
prepancy and folly into wrong he saw no snguarlty OF De
hayior in Christian particularly clergyman acknowi
edgg his lie had always preached this doctrine 10
Others and would shrink from applying II TO himself
Tho
referred TO- felt unanimously that any regrets previously en-
ertancd concerning the publication OF Mr. ons letter to
DR. Bacon should give way to grateful ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF the
proyidentia opportunity which this publication has unex
pectedly afforded, to draw forth the testimony which
the Committee have thus reported In brief, but IN
sufficient fulness as they believe to explain and put
AZ rest forever a vexaous scandal The Committee are like
wise OF opinion based the testimony submitted to them
that unpsudced court OF inquiry could have reviewed ths
case n thus presented in person by its principal figures Win
oar ing sfkingy impressed with the moral integrity and
elevation Of the parties and accordingly the Com
me cannot forbear that the Rev Henry Ward Beeche
Mr. Theodore Ton and Mrs Ton (and In an especial man
ne the attc and should receive the Increased mpay
and respect Of Plymouth Church aud congregation
(SgnedJ"
Marked "Ex ID 49,"