davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MR.. BEECHER's LIFE AS A PREACHER.

No truth struggling with error has ever failed 10
find in him champion phase Of human has sought
him in for sympathy end relief Nay have too
mnch reason know the very Of his sensiby hs
times become him element Of weakness and left him or
the moment at the mercy Of colder and harder
And this fair picture Of his private and domestic life
what shall be said of his life and influence preacher Of the
Gospel Let the immense assemblies that for nearly thirty
years-wthOut abatement without uctuaonhave thronged
his chapel numerous and enthusiastic to-day than
ever before bear testimony. To This great cOnTega-
ton. presenting unusual proportion Of able and
thoughtful men. he mnistered all these years
tiringly That his mnistratons have been marked with
rare sptuaity wonderful mastery the various
motives Of character and moods Of human experience
universally acknowledged He has been emphacay preacher
Of the people ylng himself in constant communion with the
unseen interpreted the mysteries Of the sou and given
voice 10 those dim ntutons-those immortal ycarniHgs which
sprng in every human breast but which few utter
clergyman the Congregational Church, he has abored for
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of for the building denom
nation His creed broad humanity itself and hs deep,
warm heart nsnciiyey responding the feeling Of all mas
enabled the higher nober and purer lie
Though Protestant be been able discern the
mon Christian faith all churches bearing the Christian
Moral integrity sincere devotion and an honest consecraon to
the common Lord have always recognized by him without
reference 10 the question OF recognition by those
whom his charity has extended Every honest soul that
Iebored for the salvation Of mankind, whether
minister priest monk, only elfsacrcng layman, has
been TO him Christian brother, minister Of God.
II is then no wonder that besides power Of his personal
teaching demand for his printed should be beyond
all precedent their weekly issue read u every town and
hamlet throughout this broad and they with in The
cabin Of the backwOodsnan In the hut Of the MINER the
forecae at sea Not only hs they been translated
into every European language In England alone am in
formed their circulation thrice large thGs Gil this
country.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25

friendship instead Of being manned was
After this last II may guess your heart Dy knowing "sN
am sure the old love instead OF wane> y ny
friend my b0yhOOd you have been to me "ha, no
man has beenwhat other man can be- Whle was 'i
dent the influence u your mind mine greater than an
books The intimacy ~fh which yon hohofu
me- yeus has been next 20 wife ana ilyl s
chief affection OF my life I3y yOn was bapuzeDy yon mar
RED You are my minister teacher father brother irehd
rnunan!On The debt Owe yoa can never pay ~ rcllCus
M nv intellectual developant my open door OF opportunity
labor my public regulations; al these my ae-r lleo
great own Kindness thai my sIo
cannot words, but must be expressed only Ia
love
Then what hous have had ogetherl What arm IN arm
wanderEs stFeeis What hunts Tor PctLes aa
booksl What mutual revelations and cOmmunings Mha III
terrharging Of mrh, ~ tears, Of pTayersi e,
The thiHk back upon ths friendship the more aH
convinced public position not your Iaie Ot
your genius lust your affection has been the secret OF w
bond between for whether you had been hgh or Jos" @
or common believe my heart knowing is mate, would
have loved yon exactly the same
Now therefore, that H. either long ago or ateiy
word Of mine whether spoken or printed Whetef puDc
private has given you pam beg you TO blot from your
memory and 20 write your forgiveness IN It's place
Moreover shOud die leaving you alive AK you 70 oVe
my children their fathers sake who has taught them 10
reverence YOU and regard you as the man Of men
thing My religious experiences have never Dee1
refreshing than during The last year hs was 10 1000
Never before have bad such far and winning houg OF
the other life With these thoughts you stand connected N
strange and beautiful believe human friendship ous
human lfe friendship yet Of the earth earthly but II
shall day stand up!fed above mortality safe without a
without breath blot suspicion 10 endanger H.
Meanwhile my friend may Father in Heaven bless you
the earth guide you, strengthen YOU lumlne you, anu ~
last crown you with the everlasting crown
And good night, and sweet BE- your dreams OF
iOD' unworthy Ou' '''''' THEODORE THToN.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25

reading sbould have committed myself 20 views which
nave ongrown oy isft behind find myself, slowly tu.
suv going toward those views Of human nature and oi
divine Government which have undeTlaid for tousann
wears The Evangelical churches. IL seems 20 me hat
dlscern arising from sindies in natural science,
saer foohod Of these views than they have ever had 70 40
FAR az theology concerned II have one purpose or am "
II 10 secure for the developing IN the spheres Of nat
nra science religious spirit and harm0nizaoD with all he
lat capal truths Of reoD which have thrs far character
led the Christian system with and more ehi
and dread from thai fuiess desert Of hstraish
when 90 many are hziling q second paradise
Further on be says
Believe me Theodore have gres sympathy IN your
Developments affection Tor ana should Dc gao 70 nep
and sorry TO hinder
Now comes paragraph the significance of when VII DO
more apparent get further In opening gentlemen
which wish call your attention to here no~ est may
not recur time Mr. Beeche In order 70 dsafih Al
ground of hostility ard prevent his advice which ne mao
given Ton religious subjects being repeed by hostile
personal feelings says to him
have given up idea OF staring Dc'Fspaper am sofe
that could not bear strain and carry my church
a. w. BKEcBKx"
This gentlemen w.s in 1861 The significance Of nsi refer
newspaper the relations Of these TWO men, a.
sa viii become apparent we get further en- N
this matter change In his religious convictions ~As
not only departure made by Mr. Tltcn from opinions mere
tofore accepted by him
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25

defendant permitted 10 be heard IN his behalf asso
caes have assigned the duty Of stating his case 10 this
Honorable and you. gentlemen when
believe that for occasion Of great personal embar
rassment When think OF the interests involved IN this trial
and the effects which may follow IT, when contemplate the
deep and painful anxiety which everywhere exties am
oppressed by the burden Of responsibility which the
oyerkindness Of ny associates has laid npon me-
and would gladly surrender ii TO other and
ADLER hands Nothing indeed prevents me from sinking
beneath the task have undertaken but clear conviction c
the absolute innocence Of my client and the of
eminent associates that his strong to be injured by
my unsl>iul advocacy And moreover assured by the
knowledge that from every quarter that in my
effort 10 make his innocence plain you and to the world
IL has long been his counsel and HE people the uni
yersal sympathy Of mankind.
The magnitude and importance OF the questions here involved
cannot be oveesmaed for they so down founda
dons Of social, moral and religious life IL
the effect Of your decision in this could be
limited 10 determining whether the plaintiff has snf-
fcred wrong az the hands OF the defendant,
for which he is entitled to be compensated in money this trial
would not excite the wdepad interest which has attached TO
IL from the beginning and which must follow to the end
But gentlemen, need remind you how utterly impossible
1t crcumscrbe the effect OF this trial within such
limits Either ths defendant 90 forth from this court
vindeaed by your verdict you and and al who take
part in this days work actors in Of the greatest moral
tragedies which has occupied the stage Of human life Look
al it may, impossible separate the defendant from
his representative character.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
INCONSISTENCY IN THE CHARGE

But blinded by his egotism and drunk with the
in,oxcaton Aaey he refused to break from his evil
associates the voice Of friendship the appeals Of
affection had power him And gentlemen they
ask US TO believe that at this me when al Of wes faith
woman devotion and mothers love, being excred 10
save Theodore Ton from the compsnonsp and coruptng
influence Of whose feet take hold hell this pure
minded and sanity woman her very effort to her hls
band fell herself Fell into the very sins against which for
many anxious years. she had been warning her husband
with strong crying and with teas Nay, more that the very
regon-the religion which she had cherished all her life and
which was confessedly conspicuous In that life,
furnished the motives for her fall! still, more
that so infatuated and mntelligent was her hold
upon faith that having nned she soemny denied this
conscientious crime and invented tissue Of lies TO support that
denial that still further moved by inspiration she believed
Divine she abandoned all the responsibilities and loves Of life
and caye spiritual guide himself all eprous and oahsome
with adultery and perury-and ancmax Of abOminatOns
that she is "a pure and whesouled woman" still Gentle
men, yon full grown you have the wisdom that
from the experience OF life the observation Of human nature
the knowledge Of affairs Is there among you that
cred all that experience and observation 70 entertain for
moment suggestion unutteraby absurd, absolutely
mOnEtrous,
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
THE FINE ATTRIBUTES or MRS. TMTON's CHAR
ACTER

Small in stature, and of a childlike disposition,
abe is OF deeply reyerenaI and filed with an
exalted religious enthusiasm. The plaintiff himself de-
claes that, had she lived in former days and belonged
10 the Roman Catholic Church. she would have been
recognized Of those lustrious whose names
shine with the halo Of santness She devoted 70 her
home entertained views Of the sacrdness OF motherhood al
most romantic On that possbe and her whole life
under God absolutely husband and children without
to her self sacrifice Gifted sensitive, pure
sedepreciating, idozng her home and worshppng with
all the intensity Of her the husband Of her early love
her very existence blended with his that their union
fulfilled Lord Cokes definition Of marriage "wo souls united
in person" From the Theodore Tlton placed the
wedding ring upon the finger Of Elizabeth until that hour
when driven by his persecution she compelled 70 tear
herself from her home and from him forever there had been
but person in all things dominated tat household
and that Theodore Tion His wish to her
mand; whatever he wlled she did Relieving him from
every household incident the rearing Of young and
numerous family she was content to toll and sufr that he
might win the distinction he coveted 30 much.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MR. TuToN PICTURED IN DEEP CoLoRs.

Ii now becomes my unpleasant duty TO invite you,
gentlemen CONSIDER for and what s Theodore
Tton The plaintiff in this presents the most impressive
morseess power and the destructive effect Of single absorbing
master passion An adommang selfish egotsm the basis
of his As boy he bright and ambitious and
his quckness Of apprehension and felicity Of statement DroughI
him early recognons praise Everybody hafiered and en-
couraged him. regarding hE seconcejt something when
years the hard experiences Of life would modify
into reasonable self reliance and honorable pride Begin
ming life reporter the public press he brought INTO
contact with great orators and public and he early resolved
to devote himself TO public career. All his studies were
turned upon this pOnt-to make himself graceful and power
m speaker and writer The Of appearing well and sounding
well the be soughta dangerous pursuit Tor one al
ready strongly predisposed by constitutional vanity
consider life drama and himself It's hero.
He unbounded confidence and cool calculating per-
tnacy way upward Possessed Of fine address,
lively Imagination fertile fancy and owRg speech nc lacked
the powers Of deep and original thought and than these
sound discriminating judgment and the unsesh aims
which the prime elements Of noble manhood Anxious
above all things shine he seized every opportunity and a
yOcated every which would give him prominence lie
adopted of heading OF the country, SUMNER Phil
lips Garrison and than any other Of Mr. Beecher who
seen lavish Of friendship and ad-and repro
daced them in sensational editorials and lectures The
extremists in politics and religion 10 whom he joined himself
ready reward facility with which he yielded himself
their by fostering his conce representing him a. the
successful antagonist OF Mr. Beecheths young David VINO
had oyerthrown the great Goiah in debate and the brilliant
occupant OF the editorial chair Of Tie Asdde who had
eclpsed the light ofhis predecessor.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MRS. TnroY,s REFUGE IN HER SORROW.

There was but one person on earth to whom She
could make known her and that was their friend
and pastor Boundcss her faith in God and in the efficacy
OF PRAYER enthusiast she believed in
wise and faithful application OF appropriate means How
natural that she should appeal in this emergency 70 him
who had been the friend Of his youth the counselor and guide
Of his matucr manhood lie sympatized with her suffering
and promised help How faithfully and how endery he couH-
eed the plaintiff have seen by the beautiful letter. as wise
a. il is beautiful which the defendant wrote to the plaintiff in
1861 II Tton could have but needed that advice how different
the scene this day witness There would have
been no bleeding heart deserted hear one no wife with
broken heart aud blasted life children with blight resting
upon their young and innocent lives but nome happy and
united family bound together by the ties OF love and respect
household altar undesecated in those early days Of simple
piety Of which be Is much ashamed.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MRs. TnToN,s UNHAPPY LOT.

In a married life which would have made most
wreiched for long years Of absolute seacrce
Elizabeth TOn flnccl herself happy Month BY month she
watched gradual unfolding Of her husband under the
guidance and comp1lonhp Of his friend and pastor She
him rising step by .tep thai proud eminelce which had
been the ruling ambition OF his e and she happy Bat
last realize that every brought to
him dangers. She with pain the character OF the as
with whom in the reckcssness OF vanity and the in
to1caton Of first nc surrounded himself And with
unspeaabc anguish she witnessed the change that day
by dav was Going in his religious CONVICTIONS Slowly
certainly sliding from the views Of marriage
and duty which he adopted and becoming the
OF theories which seemed 10 her to have been pro-
pounded only by those who unwilling that the principles
tcv proessed should be better than the yes they lived The
spell Of the upon him To him from all
that she deemed false religion and perncous in morals was
a. seemed 10 her the great duty OF life To accomplish
this no acridcc great She would patiently II not will
nav accept humiliation reproach accusation nay the most
sacred feelings Of wife and mother might be outraged and
ramped upon sill she woad hide her suffering and conceal
her wounds only the object Of her sociude and prayers
might be saved.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
THE BEGINNING OF Mr.. THTON's DECLINE.

He fell in with gay, fascinating people, who con-
sdcred themselves free from the conventional restraints OF So
cety and little by little he slid into their ways OF thinking
His unbalanced vanity proof against the wine Of
dangerous theories presented the Of the aerer
Surrounded only by who burned incense TO his vanity nc
became inflated with success and fsncied himself monumen
ta genins prolific Of wit and wisomn word the
foremost man Of his Conspious destitute alike OF og
cal power and the poe OF nice moral sense he embraced the
widest views and rushed forward believing that the world
would follow where he led Some persons Of cool heads
can speculate social, political or religious questions
without losing their balance. but with Theodore
Tnton to calculate the depths abyss plunge head
long into IT, believer the Christian faith and member OF
IN orthodox church. pecuated the origin Of matter ana
the Attributes Of God until he deist denying the
divinity Of Christ md rejecting the Scriptures Divine rev
eation Of Gods will 10 man The husband OF gifted pure
aud loving wife-the father Of interesting family having as
he describes H. an ideal home he specuaed social prob
ems and was led by man influence under which he fell
10 denounce the marriage relation remnant Of efete civil
zaon clog and hndrance the development Of the race
His remedy for the evils Of marriage easy divorce
leaving parties as free dissolve the relation as they
were 10 enter into IT, lie denies that he IS a
free lover but Victoria WOOdh the apostle OF free love-
asks for no greater freedom Than this leader OF men
must know how to construct and preserve, but Theodore
Ttnn knew only unsette and destroy The moment
he position Of prominence that he could be stu
and criticised the garg defects OF his character discov
cred themselves who had hitherto been his dupes
Opposition prng up every quarter and at last he forced
70 realize thai the foundation which had been for him.
and on which he had placed by than b. h
self was crunbno beneath his feet The end Theo
dure Ttor fcl-e from ennence seldom attained by
Of hs ageo he very bottom OF the abyss he depths Of which
he had attempted TO sound.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MR.. TuT0N,s GROWTH IN RADICALsM.


There followed soon after very marked change
in his social views respecting relation of the and par
ticulary that Of marriage and divorce Mr. Ton espoused
with zeal the cause Of suffrage he reports himself IN
The Golden ACE as having said during the that after ha
abolition Of slavery the great question which would a
tate the public mind would that of womans suffrage And
undoubtedly believing that great social revolution was I'm
pending aspred make himself the leader OF the move
ment But its members differed widely among themselves
their views OF the marriage relation. Many perhaps ma
jorty conceded with all Christian people upon this snb,ec
while others held that marriage was Of cy con-
tract and that the parties thereuno should DC As
free 30 dissolve the relation they were 70 enter
into It. As was his custom, Titon accepted ne moss
radical views upon this az upon other sao'ec1-
He soon began with friends visiting at his honse upon
this matter He did hesitate declare before his wife thar
he had now regard the marriage relation very der
emily from whs, he once did To him longer sacred
institution to be regulated by Church stale bis most
intimate friends Of both sexes be those who agreed
with HIN upon the subjecof marriage They used TO converse
much upon the relation sexes the great value OF mutual
friendships between married and unmarried women or DC
tween married and other mems wives OF the extent 70
which such ntinaces could be carried and still be innocent
and finally could be nothing criminal m any reaon
which love had sanctihed This say gentlemen we shan
show you was frequent subject Of conversation between MI
Tton and his associates visiting his house was these
entinent 40 offensive TO this pure devoted wife and
mother that she was compelled listen to day after day and
week after week. This change bis sentiment wa poss
Bile more repugnant than his change in religion The one
she sove against with anguish enaty and with tears;
the other she resisted and fought against She Gesped tba
doctrine and adherents she forbade her home 10 ths
women who advocated it, che demonstrated with ner nhsoAnd
against the principles he held and the people with whom he
associated and particularly suspected his numerous friend
ships with women which he characterized as sacred weddings
which knew no sex"
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
BEECHER's ADVICE TO TILToN ABOUT HIS RELI
GIOUs DEPARTURE.

In this hour Of her great sorrow, Mrs. Tilton
applied to her pastor advice and sympathy Mr. Beecher
saw ton frequently and talked with him upon matters OF
heious belief 1857 he Tton the wise and
beautiful letter which hiss given in evidence from
which now desire to quote.
Mr. Beecher writes Mr. Tlton:
JUNE 3D. 1867.
My DEAR THEODORE In thinking conversation
spectng position religious matters 10 occurs 90 me ha
YOU liable do yourself injustice by
posing Affirming that wandered from received opin
ions it that have simply entered thar
stage development which every active mind explores the
grounds and reasons OF belief for himself Now, u mposs
bile eodness such In
yeeaons without oscillations Of belief without
ing view and then again seeking
with greater ayidty than IL Is question 80 wide
gaye that ought commit himself upon the hasy
suit o years reading You % 10 follow
your spalies largely investigation This has tts adyan
ia and way Of study but IL requires Jar naors hDe
CAUTION nasmuch will surely lead you 10 accept things
from poetic emOtye reasons which bat tGI true which
need will by longer experience much modification
The formation OF opinions apon religious questions such
nature As yous o grog than Of logic Under
such state Of facts therefore, would submit whether
can wisely truly you stand this that ground
and whether you do justice your hnal self
quire all privileges accorded 10 those VINO iRrei0Gtig
In part write from experience. look back upon periods
when, had expressed ths thsn results Of thought md
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
THE SECRET OF MR.. BEEcHER's SUCCESS.

Thus has he-alone-almost fulfilled the divine
command Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel 10
every creature estimate fun force Of my words when
affirm that no man ever exerted in bis own lifetime so wide
spread and benehcent influence The faeang and abd-
ING power Of this Christian minister has long been marvel
to the people Of two continents, and theories both
friendly and hostile have been advanced TO explain It,
Gentlemen shall solve the problem for yonf the reason OF
tho mower OF this mans preaching Is that behind his sermons
tbre IS Ii,e-and behind the le It because they
have come from the heart they have gone 20 the heart
because his preaching known by those vino know him best
TO be illustrated by hs daily living that he f. in this supreme
emergency Of his life grded by millions Of faithful hearts and
walled to heaven by unaeng love and confidence OF hs
people.
New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
MR.. BEECHERs RIGHT TO THE NATIONS GRAFT
TUDE.

But If there are those who are not interested in
the minister Of the Gospel invite them 70 contemplate the
patro and phanthropst Epousng the cause Of the op
presd he abored for the emancipation Of race When the
AGITATION rcsulted in conflict Of mperlng the Union Of
the States his clarion voice heard everywhere Grousng the
nation 70 the holy srfe danger threatened from abroad
he was prompt to plead the of American union on the oa
as of American liberty the fare Of infuraed thousands set
on by foreign esocacy 70 reye him and TO strike him
down Mr. Beeeher's hand TO hand fight with Tue Enghsh
masses on English soil thrilling page in history known ana
read Of al men, His courage his DEVOTION his eoqnence I'D
that memorable contest the admiration Of al Europe and
can never be forgotten by American people In that srng
ole Henry Ward the nations gratitude and the ma
lions love When fury Of the storm had spent its force
when the war was over and the nation was saved then the
voice which had rng like trumpet in The sre was Tie nrs
n Mead for fobearance the yanqushed for con
donation Of the past and permanent peace resting upon uh
versa amnesty This gentlemen lie true and uniarlered po
trait Of the defendant in this caseas husband father GU
xeu a patriot phiIanthropst, minister and man. III IL
were a statement 10 be established by es
timouy thousands upon thousands Of witnesses nlght
crowd this Court To confirm ts truth for the name OF Henry
Ward Bcecaa long been e treasure Of The nAo as w