Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-26
NEW YORK.
Beecher.TiltOn.

to base this story. This long story did not come
from the weak, vascillating brain of Titon, but
from the stronger one of his friend. Mrs. Iilton
was sick and he forced out the nurse in attendance
upon her and caused her to sign the letter asking
Beecher to grant an interview to luton. 1t was
hardly necessary, said counsel, that | should de-
vote much time describing Francis D. Moulton.
They had seen him in the court room for ten days
and were able to form some opinion. He was
cold, fearless and cslculating-one who was calcu-
lated to deceive even the very elect. lie al
mitted that lac was heather. He was the jul
Nor member Of one of the largest commercial
firms in this city. There were interests IN Albany
and elsewhere, which called the attention of this
junior member there, and his partnership with this
firm ceased when his influence in these quarters
was destroyed. Moulton had access to the col
umn of the republican organ controlled by Titon
in 1870. Mr.. Moulton tells you that he became
acquainted with Bcecher's crime aud obtained his
friendship after learning that he had debauched
his old friends wife. There never was note
written by Mr.. Moulton which not written
with Mr.. 1itons consent, and never was there
statement made by Moulton which not dictat-
ed by Mir Tilton. Another thing they should bear
in mind was the letter of August ), sent by Moul-
ton to Beecher.
1t was copied in short hand by Mr.. Tilton before
it was sent, yet Moulton tells you that Tilton new
er copied the correspondence in his possession,
and Titon admits that he took shorthand notes
Ct most of them when they were read TO him.
The counsel referred to the acquantanceshp
that these men, Tilton and Moulton formed with
Mis-. Woodruff, and Of the latter's wife having
kissed her on ole occasion. He likened Moulton
with his cold, calculating face, to picture Of Ju-
das I7cariot which was exhibited in a cathedral in
Milan.
AT tins point made by the counsel the audience
fairly roared with laughter, and there were slight
signs of appreciation.
Judge Nelson interrupted the counsel's address
and checked the threatened applause, warning the
spectators if this occurred again he would adjourn
the court.
General Tracy continued -
This was the man who Mr. Tilton chose for his
friend and confident to destroy Mr.. Beeeher They
resortod TO this SANDER. We have seen how
Mrs. Tilton harrassed to make this accusa-
ton against her pastor, and this suggestion was
made by the devil. Moulton had gone to Beechers
house and asked him to come to his home and
hold an interview with Mr.. Tilton. On the way
he inquired the object of the interview and Moul-
ton said Mr. Tilton would tell him. Moulton on
the way profeied his friendship to Beecher.
When the latter asked him what he should Go,
Moulton replied, 81 am not Christian, but l will
show you what a heather can do" Moulton had
been at some pains to explain to the public what
his motives were in taking the course he did. He
says he did it to preserve the peace of the re-
spectivc families. He introduces this man whom
| he accuses of adultery to his wife, and took him
! him up TO that wite's bedroom. That wife SYM
pathsed with the adulterer, and one occasion even
kissed him on the forehead; but when the time
for his interests not to be served he left the
peace Of the families
| The welfare of Plymouth church and the dam
ger of christian society were left to take care OF
themselves. Moulton tells you that on his way to
his own house with Beecher he told him of the
SANDER that Bowen had raised about him and
Beecher replied that he had heard nothing about
them. When he was introduced in the house to
Tilton Il want to call your attention to what Til
ton did, he said to Beecher: 81 suppose you re-
ceived my letter." and on Bcecher's reply that he
had Tilton said "well want YOU to consider this
/ letter never written" Beecher interrupted him
| and asked what it was that Bowen had been say
ing about him on the 26th, and 1ilton left the re-
lation Of the story Of the wrongs and depressed to
tell Beecher OF the Bowen stories. All of this
story, said the counsel since the time OF the church
committee has been inconsistent with the actions
of the plaintiff TO sustain the charge of adultery.
| On that stormy night OF the interview IN Moul-
toms house, they brought Beecher there to make
their charge against him. and that charge, declared
the counsel was to be adultery. There were no
charges Of adultery until Mrs. Tilton left her
home at the instigation Of Mrs. Morse, and found
that Beecher was in consultation with her, and he
was threatened with dismissal from the lndepend-
/ cnt, and this plot he Matched up with Henry {.
I l'owen. lie formed this conspiracy to drive
Eeecher from Brooklyn, and the only question
Ass when Francis ID. Moulton entered 1t. II
Theodore Iilton IA man of flesh and blood he
could not have carried this dread secret in his
bosom for six months without making it out. Be-
fore. This was not adultery but charge of max
! ing improper proposals and advances to his WIFE,
visited the house of Beecher, but he came TO make
pcaee-net Ear. He drew picture of Tilton's
SORROWS aRd OF the utter wreck OF his fortunes; OF
the destruction of his family peace, and all in
terms so vivid to excite the feelings OF his hear
or 10 the highest pitch He vindicated his friend
from the ca,tinglious stories which had been bio't
to Beecher and lad been backed by him. lie
convinced Mr. Beecher that the charges which the
latter believing them true had repeated them to
! isowen were ntte4iy without foundation. Then
1 q he oil
! tween this husband and wife, and on the utter
misery which had fallen upon the whole family In
in consequence. All this in terms to wiring
tears of blood from compassionate heart, but
without word of direct accusation against MIR.
5eecher. And yet, under everything save the
implication that in some way Beecher was respon-
sible for Ttons business misiortunes, because he
and Bowen had united to turn him out of the In
dependent and the Brooklyn Union. Responsible
| for the domestic misery because the alienation of
! the wife, which Bcecher had previously supposed
to have arisen from the misconduct OF the hus-
band, was now assumed to have been caused by
warm affection for her pastor, and violent and
protracted struggle between her passion and her
sense of duty which had destroyed her health and
| unsettled her reason.
The Weather.
New York, February -. The dense fog con-
TIMES, with east wind. Heavy rains fell during
| the night
The Communists.
! \ Chicago special says there was considerable
excitement there Yesterday but nothing was done
| by the Communists, except to hold three meetings
last night, and listen to inhammable speeches
against the relief society. Resolutions were
sdopted demanding the discussing of the relief to
be made more in consonancc with Communist
IDEAS, and they will be presented to the relief So
/ ciety by committee to-day noon. There is to be
I "a mass meeting at > O'Clock TO hear the result of
the demand. As all the militia in the city will be
\ IN readiness for service there will probably not be
ANY serious trouble.
! An Old Law Enforced.
| An operate ball was much marred last night at
! the Academy OF Music by Mayor Wickham oblig
| ing the police to enforce an ordinance of 1879,
iorbidding any lady to wear a mask at ball.
! without first removing the mask in the presence
of the police authorities
| Another Loan.
! II is reported that the Western Union Telegraph