The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-22
THE TrIToN.BEEoHER TRIAL.
Ex-Judgo Porters Argument.


Porter continued his address calling the at
tention of the jury TO Bowens testimony.
Beecher testified that on the occasion when
Bowen presented Tilton's demand on him
(Beecher) Bowen and he had couversa-
ton In which Tilion's immoral character
was discussed Beechcr said he communi.
Gated to him what he bad heard from Mrs.
Tilton, and what was disclosed in CONVEX
sations which occurred between him aud
Bessie Turner. Counsel commented on
the fact of Tilton denying Bessie Turn
cr's story. and said that when he found he
was going down, he found it necessary to
come t. the stand again and swear down
the statements Of this girl. Again. said
counsel, we have Tillon denying under
oath that he had any gray hairs in his head
then, and yet we fnd him writing of them
three years before this. Bowen said that
Beechcr did not advise the dismissal of
Tilton from The Independent and the
Brooklyn Union, but we found him, on
cross-examination, admitting that Beecher
did not tell him things that were new TO
him in regard to Tilton's immortality with
women In regard TO other matters dis
cussed between himself and Beecher Bowen
could not remember, but in other regards
instead of contradciing the editor of the
Christian Union, Bowen confirmed him.
Bowen neither meant to be true to Tilton
nor false to him. If he meant to betray
him, as Frank Moulton told Tilton, or the
reverse, his way led directly TO Columbia
heights. 1T Bowen fails me, and docs not
furnish proof FOR the charges, Tilton said
to himself he (Bowen) destroys me. There
was necessity that something should be
done TO get Tilion reinstated on the Inde-
M ate1 TO- ii, 4 NJ
Porter, the aid and assistance OF Beecher
was sought by both Tilton and Moulton.
There was in the last week in 'Decem-
ber between Christmas day and
New Years day, as Tilton con-
ceived, conspiracy Matched to
throw him out Of the Brooklyn Union. and
Independent. Mr.. and Mrs. Beecher had
conversations with Bowen about the mat
ter, and when Beecher was on his way to
prayer meeting, Frank Moulton, on that
stormy night, entered the dwelling of the
pastor of Plymouth church and told him
that he could not go, us Tilton wanted to
see him. "What does Titon want with
me p asked Beecher. Gle will tell YOU
when you get there, replied Moulton, and
he took Beecher to the house of Tilton on
that night, not for the destruction of Henry
Ward Beecher, but for overthrowing Hen
ry g. Bowen, or the reinstatement of Til
ton, and they brought their machine to bear
on Mr.. Beecher. When Bowen took the
message from Tilton he did not know what
the whole truth was. lie did not know
that the charge was adultery, and not one
OF the improper proposals which would
just be as injurious to clergyman
What the talk between Mr.. Beecber
and himself was, Henry c. Bowen had
no remembrance. but he knew that
it was of Tilton's immortality and troubles
in his own house. Deacon Freeland in his
testimony stated that Beecher and Bowen
never had an interview together at his
house but once, and that occurred at the
end of the yenr in which it was sought to
be shown, and that it took place in the be-
ginning of it. Bowen says ne went to
Beecher and told him that be was his friends;
and did he believe it : He did, "a he be-
leved Frank Moulton when he told him
that he was his friend. The fight was be-
tween Tilton and Bowen. Then, said
counsel Beecher was neutrality for whom
each side was seeking, and Theodore Til
ton knew he needed allies when he secured
Frank Moulton so that they had him in
their tolls for three years.
If it were true that on the Sd of July
MIS- btOh NCiileooNN w lCi uuSDuil tuS
commission of adultery with Beecher, do
you believe that Tilton would either that
night or for the next four years have slept
with her Gentlemen, said counsel Dc
you believe that for six months after thai
she would have permitted her husband ant
Beecher to meet at her house and in Tho
streets of New York ? If this were true
that she was confessed adultress, would
she have written letters like those read r
your hearing? Theodore Tlton obtained
a letter of confession from his wife in
| forming him of Beecher's having USED
indecent proposals to her. This wa.
| the occasion of n memorable interview on
the night after it was written, between
Tilton and Beecher, and this interview wa
| told to other parties and these letters agree
that the defendent himself somewhere OF
the stand, said this letter was not charg,
of adultery. but one of improper proposals
and Tilton, when on the stand, testified il
direct conflict to this, that it contained
charge of adultery, whatever the paper wa
the original was in Frank Moultons posses
sion and copy was with Tilton
| Counsel then dwelt on tho letter o
retraction given by Mrs. Tilton to Beeche
in which she said that Charge was false an,
that Beecher had never made any imprOpe
proposals. MoullOn who swore in this tria
with the spirit of friend, says he did no
see the letter charging adultery and Tiltol
swears it was in his possession. Do vol
believe, gentlemen, said the counsel, tina
il this paper was in Moulton's keeping tina
he did not read it .? Do you believe tina
this letter of confession which was so I'M
portant was destroyed. while the letter o
apology was kept Why, gentlemen, thi
| hn1 rud tic To
spirators and it was disposed Of 1t wa
which was retrac,ed by Mrs. Tilton
On the night of that day Moulton goes t
Beecher to obtain the letter of retraction
Beecher said ii was due TO the memory o
his family add his own honor, if he di
that he should keep this paper, and Moul
ton caioled him into returning il 10 kee
up the friendship with Tlton. Thes
troubles Moulton laid the blame of on Mrs
Morse and Mrs. Tiltons love of BeecheI
and her family troubles, which Moulto
SAID had nearly turned her head. He ais
said to Beecher that Mrs. Tilton loved hr
(Beecher) better than she did her husband
and now, said Moulton, all that yo
have got to do Is 20 Join HANDS wit
me in the effort to set matters right
Beecher said if he had caused all thi
trouble IN 1ilton's family and won th
woman's love from her husband, he wa
willing to do everything to repair the IL
jury he had done. Placed in such pos
ton, what should Henry Ward Beeche
have done? What would any man hav
done If placed in such u position n
person could tell, for they would all hav
acted differently. If there were nine thor
sand Henry Ward Beechers with us W
could tell how they all would have acte
by one of them, but Beecher and Tito
were as far opposite as the polls and thei
were no more a thousand Henry War
Beechers in our midst than there were
thousand Theodore Tiltons.
The hour of recess arriving, Mr.. Eyar
suggested, in view of Mr.. Poriers e,
haustion and the heated temperature, Thu
an adjournment until Monday be taken.
Mr.. Beech agreeing the court adjourne
until Monday.