The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-04-15
THE wooDHu1L PUBLICATION.

lished was from Mckeivy OF the Eagle
Office. He then had a conference with
Mr.. Kinsella. He understood the article
to be in the office, but did not see it. He
was advised of it's nature and substance
by Mr. McKelvy, but had never read it.
except part since this trial commence d,
which he read under instruction from his
counsel. That he had forgotten and had
not resumed its reading.
Mr.. Beecher said that he went in COM
pany with Mr.. McKelvy to Mr.. Moulton' s
office in New YeSk. Moulton advised
him (Beecher) to say nothing about the
scandal, and he so told Mr. McKelvy
Moulton's advice decided his (Beecher 81
policy Oh the subject. He had long in.
terview with Moulton at his house, at
which Tilton was present. Moulton was
from first to last in favor of silence, and
thought it should be treated with silent
contempt. The first interview with Til
ton occurred on his return from New
Hampshire, and it took place in Mouiton' S
study. Tilton was very much excited,
and declared that he would, whenever he
could, deny it as infamous and atrocious.
He took witness by the hand and author
lied and enjoined him in his clifton 81
name to deny it as an infamous falsehood.
Tilton was in favor of public denial, to
be signed by him (Tilton) and Moulton.
but the latter favored silence, and silence
was agreed to.
I only said this, as recall it. that we
had got to make up our minis that If we
went into the newspapers to deny news
paper reports, we would have to continne.
for having begun such thing as that we
would have to follow it up, and it should
be taken into consideration in forming our
poiicy--not simply Of this one, but of any.
| always said from the first that if any-
thing was done it was not for me to do 1T
alone; that it was peculiarly necessary
that Tilton should publish it in defense
of his family.
TILTON CONTRADICTED.
@. Now, sir, do you remember any
consider alton of the subject between you
in which YOU expressed yourself in this
way:
'sThat the time had passed when silence
concerning the Woodruff scandal was wise
policy there was so much clamor on the part
OF the public, as manifested in the press 80
much inquiry in the church and congregation
80 many demands made upon you by your
friends, that the pressure was getting to be un-
endurable.'
And that then you advised scheme Of
this kind:
"Now suppose we should appeal to that sem
timent in the communicative sentiment that
where there is so much smoke, there must be
some fire, and state it in this connection;
suppose, for instance. that some resp ,ctable
paper, speaking Semi-ofhcially, as authorized
by the parties in the case, say the New York
Tribune, should publish an editorial to the
effect that there was some grounds tor Mrs.
Woodhult's publication--not the ground
which she stated but the ground existed III
the stories which H. c. Bowen had told a year
or two previous against Beecher, and which
Bowen himself had, in a written instrument
six months before, namely, April >, 1872, re-
tracted. Now, said he, suppose we get some
editorial ptterances, not signed BY our own
uatleS, to that effect; hat there was the
ground Tor those stories Let that be stated,
and let us cut from the tri partite covenant the
section which, being signed, retracted these
stories, and let us put that into the newspa-
pers. twill satisfy the public curiosity. Peo-
pie will say, we always knew there was
something ia the Woodruff story, and now we
know what it is; it is collection of stories
which Bowen has told and retiacted.'"
Mr.. Tlton gives the narrative and
closes it by speaking of you as having
suggested this device in the middle of the
winter of 1872, to meet and courteract
the Woodruff tale. Now, sir. did any.
thing Of that kind occur, on your part,
in suggestion, or proposition. or state
ment or conversation A. Not one sol-
tary sentence, or thought, or suggestion !:
not one. 1t is absolutely fiction so far as
am concerned. | heard some parts of
that suggestion. but l am not the man
that spoke of it.
REPUpIArING Woodruff.
\ card proposing the reputation of
Mrs. Woodruff by Tilton was handed the
witness, in regard to which he says:
\ conversation arose in Moulton 5
room; think Tilton was not present !:
Tilton will never get quit of this matter
so long as he has among people the repu-
'tation of believing in these women. AMI in
their doctrines. My idea of deliverance
is in a generous and manly act to cut
himself loose from them Moulton
seemed to be struck with it. and said,
"Well. suppose you draw up something
such rs you mean. | scratched two or
three forms-tentative forms and the
one that | thought was pretty good
that is not this one. |. made three or
four little beginnings. and they were un-
satisfying. and finally fell on form of
statement that I liked better. and that
was prepared and declined.
Q. Now this statement: .'lu un.uarded
enthusiasm hoped we'll and much of one
who has since proved thoroughly I'M
principled. | shall never again notice
her. aud now literally repudiate her
stories made concerning me and mine =
That was proposed to be signed by Til
ton. suppose A. Yes. sir.
Q. Now did Tilton. in reference to that
card. and as an objection to its being pub
lished by him. say toyou. sYou know it
was not an unguarded enthusiasm that
led him (Tilton) to Woodruff: but that
he went for the purpose of protecting his
family and himself and Beecher from the
result Of a story which she originally
threatened" Was that said TO youl 4.
No, sir; it was rot.
- Srxl,,~- r. <hA l,114 Nj,