New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-08
trouble. in Mr.. ron. family and in which had felt


myself to be culpably carelcss-n their orignauon-
ehoud not iconcurcntly with his wishes and Mr. Moul
ton's)-that they should not be made matter OF pub
cty and that they certainly should not be dragged into
my church and be made the subject OF church inquiry
was that part Of the trouble that throughout the letter
was the occasion Of poignant suffering. The preceding
conversations and expostulaons with me turned on this
ground: that had damaged Mr. Tilton's name. fame,
position and pecuniay that had given the
weight Of my great influence las II was pleased to be
caod to Mr. Bowen and therefore to the propagation OF
these stories which had furnished him and 1t was thee
FORE only reasonable thing for me to restore TO him. as
far as my influence went, the good name that nc
Mr. Beach-It strikes me- your Honor that this Is arg
ent instead OF testimony hope it will be restricted
O far possible.
Tho witness-I can put 1t into the form Of converse
tons with Mr. Ton II please, because 1t was often
and often talked Of between u.s.
Mr.. Beach-wen, would rather have the converse
lions than have the ingenuity Of presentation by
way Of argument
Mr.. Evarts-The subject Of the evidence is legitimate
but perhaps the witness may transcend or escape ro
the proper limitation.
Mr. Beach, do not desire to be overcrftical put oe
sire to be as restrained and moderate as may be.
Mr. Evarts-The letter proceeds: lReadingJ
God knows that have put more thought and judgment
and earnest desire efforts To prepare way Ior
T. and E. than ever did for myself hundred f0d A s
outside public have never lost an m n1c 20
kindly feeling among all whom l mel ! am tnr TOW,
among oergmen, public men, aud generally .ne en
of public opinion, and have used every ratOnai Gu
deav0r 10 repair
Mr. Beecher-Restrain.
Mr.. Evarts-Restraini
Mr. Beecher referring to his copyI-So have 1t.
Mr. EvartsIt is not very material, though there Is
difference in meaning am reading from the eVlaence
in the case, which is likely to be correct
Mr.. Bcechcr-An right, Sir.
Mr. Eyarts Ireadngl-" The evils which have been Wis
tied upon T., and with increasing success Now, what
facts in your conduct effort does that clause refer
TOT A. II refers 10 the prolonged endeavor which had
made everywhere to say that the stories that had as
sised-that Mr. Bowen had bruited and that had given
currency tothat believed them to be false that be-
leved Mr. Tion be honest and thoroughly chaste
and temperate man. that believed him to be neither
iecher drunkard that believed him to be In many
things weak / often said; that thought that-but
everywhere / attempted do that which had under
taken to do reinstate him he was when he sat bril-
liant man at the head Of The Independent
O. Before the occurrences of December 1870! A. Be-
fore December.
Mr. Evarts-The letter proceeds (Reading1
But the roots Of this prejudice are long The oatas
trophe which precipated him from his place only dis
you can be aware the feelings Of classes in society on
other grounds than late rumors mention TINS 10 ex
statement, letter, testimony affirmation will reach the
root OF affairs andrensate them TINE and WORK WILL
But chronic requires chronic remedies. II de-
srneton wold place him ali right that shall not stand
in the way am willing TO step down and out no one
can offer than that. That do offer. sacrifice me
without hesitation you can clearly see your way 10 MS
safety and happiness thereby do not think that any
he would not be saved E. and the children would have
their future clouded.
Now Sir what did you refer to in regard to any step or
conduct your in these clauses of your letter. A.
undertook TO clear him from every imputation that
affected character except those which belonged to his
LAT wi
woodhulls II was common ground between us that
Elizabeth and the domestic troubles to be shielded
in silence could not undertake to do some things with
bringing up the whole matter in such way that that
would be disclosed. could not undertake to clear his
character in regard his sentiments sOciastc Ques
tOns that could not do But IT, in regard TO the other
If in regard TO his household In regard to Elizabeth and
the cerenf he wished that, my part to be dragged
and To be made subject OF investigation my opinion
then and through the whole of the years. that
that could never the church without destroying
that church; and would step down and out" before
anything should ever destroy Plymouth Church. had
exaggerated idea hut il real idea, that thing
of that kind would suffer anything but that church
should stand And then for him and her and the chill
drcn-thiS is exactly the language of literal and
logical statement but 1t is language as when Paul said
al could wish myself accused from Christ for my
brothers sake pas David for Absaom: "WOuld 10 God
had died for thee ~ my going out of the church and
sonal life would restore things they had been before
had the feeling when wrote this letter that would
give them all up willingly to put things back where they
were
@ The letter proceeds: (Readingl
In one point of view could desire the sacrifice my
part Nothing can possibly be bad as the horror Of
great darkness in which spend much OF my time Hook
world Life would be pleasant if could that rebuilt
which shattered But TO live on the sharp and ragged
All the appearance Of serenity and happiness cannot be
endured much longer.
Was that clause expression Of your views your feel
ngs in view OF the situation you have narrated it
A. Yes. Sir Feeble words! II there had been any
stronger the English language would have put them
Q. Now. here is an expression tReading]
Nothing can possibly bad the horror Of great
darkness in which spend much OF my time.
What horror OF great darkness did you spend much OF
your time In A. don't know: cannot define 1t nor
describe it, IOnly know that am subject to very pro-
found darkness by times and reactons just at the
other extreme, subject to very great Civilizations
Mr.. Evarts, did not do right when said, the most of
my time. With great emotion / lived very near TO
God then. and the most of my time had peace.
O. much of my time," it is A. Yes. Most Of my time
above it, but there were days in which midnight
came at midday, and horror of darkness.
O. Now at the time OF writing this letter, Mr. Beecber
what the condition of your spirit temper in this
re gard-of depression or exaltatiOni A. Oh. was in
the very depths OF the depths. 1t Monday letter.
after such Saturday!
O. Now, Sir in these clauses, any of Them of this let
ter as have read them to you, there present to
your mind any thought, idea, or memory, Of any Grim
inal intercourse with Mrs Tltonf A No. Sir. None at
all None at all had need of that There
enough. to my thought, in hurting friend,
in destroying household, in being unfaithful
TO the highest honor Of obgatonsthere was enough in
that totorment me with the tOrmens of the damned;
know OF no horrible evil in this world than to be-
tray friend do not say that other things are
worse but say that should suffer as much for that
IA could for anything-as had capacity TO suffer.
N tn this lo,ter Won say. (Raadinp1