New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-23
MR.. BEECHERS TESTIMONY ABOUT THE
BLACKMAIL.

Now, gentlemen, this is the affirmative case
on the part of this plaintiff You will that it is
tanned by three witnesses testiying positively to con-
esson Oh part OF Mr. Beecher OF Illicit intercourse
with Mrs Tlton 1t is sustained by his written decara-
ons-I may with propriety the term confessions
carving such revelation Of smtten conscience and
profound and ayonized remorse that 1t Is impossible to
satisfy them by any ordinary venal, excusable trans
gresson considering the character OF the man and the
nature Of the language he used and the circumstances
under which used Of accusation, as three wit
nesses say adultery supported too by his rendered
resignation, his declaration that he willing to step
down and out Of the noble life he had been pursuing Of
his tender of himself voluntary sacrifice to the good
OF Mr. Tilton; by his craven fear OF sisters
threatened accusation from his pulpit; by the unan-
swered appeal Mrs Bradshaw under the circumstances
have detailed by the upbraidng of Mrs Morse; by
the declaration to Redpath and by all this accumulated
weight of circumstance, all falling in with the accusation
OF seduction and opposed only by the single testimony of
Mr. Henry Ward Beecher l cannot pursue my original
purpose of examining in detail the testimony of the
erous witnesses presented the part OF the defense
They relate only the question of conspiracy and black
mall and the contradictory declarations which have been
sufficiently explained II the evidence OF Mr. Beecher Is
not sufficient dispose of the theory OF conspiracy and
backmai no argument OF mine convince the ntelli
gence Of this jury. You would not believe though one
should rise from the dead Mr. Beechor says. after re
latng all the variations OF his mind all the fluctuations
frDm
esty of Mr. Moulton and fidelity and his account OF the
influence which was used him by his professional ad
visers--the question is put to him
O. Mr. Bcecher your answer TO the question that put 10
yol whether you believe that Mr. MOulton Intended
to levy blackal upon you has not been answered salts
tOrily of associates ani put TO you again
AS TO your present belief A. Well Sir. II yon mean by
hlackpa that he levied contributions for his own ad
vantage on me, don't think it, but IL you mcan--
Mr. Fullerton-rhat Is
The witness (contInungl-But II you mean that be
levied money upon using my generous Feelings as the
instrument for the benefit OF Mr. Titon think he did
Now you perceive that Is an entire surrender OF the
idea that there was any such thing backmi through
intimidation through threat Well. ALL say a-neary
all tho witnesses upon the part Of the defendant have
been sworn to support the theory that Moulton and
Tilton were constantly holding over Mr. Beecher the
threat OF this accusation to ext0rt money from him. or
service from him. in way in aid OF Mr. Tllton and
his restoration prosperity. This is all abandoned by
the evidence OF Mr. Boechcr. His own uneducated I'M
directed conviction that there nothing OF the
kind and when aided and instructed by his lawyers. he
comes only to the conclusion that the only blackmall
used, or influence used, appeal by Mr.
MOulton to his generous inclinations and kind
ness toward Mr. TltOn. Well. that OF course
gentlemen, Is OF no Importance In this case.
When Mr. Beechcr comedies that terror was ex-
erted that threat uttered. that oil the benefac