New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
THE FIRST CHAPTER OF ARGUMENT FOR
Mr.. BEECHER.

Mr.. BEECHER.
Yhe Court waited yesterday for Mr. Tracy. He
entered the room at ten minutes after II o'clock,
smiling as he found himself the cause of delay,
but making immediate preparations TO proceed
Two great tin boxes-containing many of the
dal documents-upOn which were three or four Law
books formed temporary desk for his use. Upon
this Mr.. Tracy placed large red morocco portfolio,
in which was his manuscript, and without
further formality began his opening adj
dress to the Jury. The delivery of the
speech occupied both of the day, and still
only small portion Of the defense was developed.
So much was made known, however, that 1t Is evl-
dent that the defense does not differ from that made
in Mr.. Beechers statement last Summer. Mr. Tracy
began by tracing Mr. Beecher's life and labors from
the pastorate in the West to the elimination of his
popularity in Brooklyn. Then he took up the
career Of Theodore TltOn, speaking Of him as one
who had fallen from eminence seldom attained
by men of his age to the very bottom of an abyss.
With singing emphasis the speaker referred to the
plaintiff as one who, If he could realize the sad
truth that he was morally dead, would still rejoice
in this postmortem investigation of his character"
But we propose added Mr.. Tracy. TO dissect
him first in the interest of truth and bury him after
ward IN the interest of deceney"
With this preliminary sketch of the plaintiff and
defendant, the speaker proceeded to review what
he called the most remarkable conspiracy of mod
srn times. de was soon obliged to use the name OF
Mrs Tilton who ne said, was the true defendant In
the ease. He drew o touching picture Of her afec-
ton for her husband, giving her whole life
10 him without murmur to her OWL self-sac1ihce"
Mr. Tracy then read the letter of Mr.. TltOn to Mr..
Beeeher of Nov. So 1865, using for that purpose
printed matter from THE TRIBUNE. Indeed he
uses The TRIBUNE reports throughout his address
le&Tare
or testimony already in evidence.
Then followed the story of Mr.. TltOn's connec-
tion with The IadepeRdent his alleged acts of hos
hlity to Mr. Beecher his change of religious views,
md final dismissal from the journal Mr.. Tracy also
described his views of Mr. Bowen's feelings toward
Mr. Beecher, drawing conclusions from the fact that
MI Beecher Joined The Christian Union in 1870, and
that The Adrance was started in Chicago with the
aid of the Rev. Edward Beccher, in the same year,
both papers being formidable rivals of The Inde-
pendent Mr. Tracy announced his inability to say
bow true were the statements about Mr.. BOwens
telling scandals regarding Mr. Beecher, but in the
opinion of the speaker Mr. TiltOn was the author Of
these scandals
Mr. Tracy laid great stress upon the alleged garb-
ling of Mrs Titon's letter containing the sentence
"To love is praiseworthy; to abuse youi gift is
SIM" saying that 1t was an example of the malice Of
the husband. The r. Winsted scandal" also
referred TO- and Mr.. Tracy said that he knew no
thing about its truth falsty but he knew that the
person besides Mr. TntOn who was referred to in It,
was no mere child. as the plaintiff had said tdrning
NJ he uttered the words in scOrnfu tones upon Mr..
T1ltOn who sat behind him, calmly facing the
speaker but fully-develOped woman twice as
large as Mrs Tilton. The speaker afterward com
mented upon the plaintiffs views of marriage and
divorce and alleged that while Mr.. Tilton was
the editor OF a religious newspaper he was
An advocate Of free lust Mr.. Tracy said that
he would convict Mr. Tlton of falsifylng, and then
read portions of the correspondence between Mr..
Greeley and BIr TiltOn Oh the subject of marrlage
also the testimony OF the plaintiff regarding the
same subject comparing before the jury the state
uents in each After rdculing the idea that MI Til
toms views were limited to the mere desire for more
liberal laws Mr. Tracy asked impressively, Does
Mr. Tilton think thai civil law should govern mar
rage fr Yes" said Mr. TiltOn in voice distinctly
heard by those Immediately about him, but not
loud enough to reach the Of either the speaker
or the jury.
The next topic discussed was the alleged trouble
Ia Mr. Tnton's family, on account of which MIR.
Beeeber is said to have advised separation At 345
o'clock the leaves Of Mr.. Tracys address having
become disarranged. Mr. Beach, who was sitting
nearest him. asked Judge Nelson to excuse the
speaker This was done, aud the court was ad-
ourned.