New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-23

ers visit to Mrs. TiltOn when the latter was on her
sick bed. Mr.. Rchards's testimony was also re-
ferred to- and it was urged that this was extremely
probable.
The testimony of Mr.. Redpath was then consd-
cred, especial emphasis being laid on Mr. Beechcrs
alleged determination to make clean breast Of
ip and vindicate Theodore and Elizabeth" Stress
was laid also on the fact that Mr. Beecher made to
Mr.. Redpath no denial of the charge of adultery.
The speaker thought that the community would
have been spared the infection of the scandal had
MIR. Beechcr only followed the promptings of his
own generous nature, and not have listened to the
promptings of his lawyers.
Mrs. Morse's letter to Mr.. Beecher, in which she
addresses him as "my son." was commented on and
the question asked. Why was she not called as
witnessp The alleged interview at Mr.. Freeland's
house on the occasion of Mr.. Bowens presenting the
letter of Mr. Titon to Mr. Beecher also referred
to. Mr.. TiltOn demanded Mr. Beeeher's retirement
from Plymouth Church and from Brooklyn.
An insolent demand" thought the speaker, if
Mr. Beecher were innocent" Yet Mr.. Beecher
had nothing to say. He put the note in his
pocket, and it was not until Mr.. Bowen asked
him as to its import that he said anything. This
bearing of Mr. Beecher was contrasted with what
would have been the natural impulse of out
ragged minister under the circumstances" and infer
ences drawn unfavorable to Mr.. Beecher Mr..
Bowen's alleged "treachery" on that occasion was
referred to by Mr.. Beach. "By it" he thought "Mr.
Beecher had secured useful ally, and had senced
o dangerous tongue"
The speaker then recapitulated the tS,c1s IN what
he called the affirmative part Of the casen There
had been sustained by three witnesses the "confes
sion" on Mr.. Beechers part, and this testimony
itself sustained by Mr. Beecher's written communi-
1o ~, ~ Ill
The blackmal theory was combatea as not being
entertained even by Mr.. BeecLer himself, and as
being the fruiton of the instructions of his lawyers
The testimony CT Wilkeson, of Belcher, and Others
as well as that of Bessie Turner declared to be
inaterial so far the vital point of the case was
concerned, and as affecting only the question of
damages. Damages, however not claimed by
the plaintiff. Again, Bessie Turner's testimony
ntrinscally incredible. After referring to some of
its features Mr.. Beach declared that the jury were
not called to believe ridiculous travestes Of that
character" This remark had reference to the
knocking down" scene and the story of Miss Tur-
ner's having been carried from her bed to that of
Mr.. Tilton. One thing material, however, thought
the counsel was revealed in Miss Turner's testimony
This was that Mr.. Tlton as early as December ID,
1870, had made charges of adultery against Mr.
Beecher Again, Mr.. Tracy had said that the con-
Splracy began on December 20, 1871. Wnat Decaine
of this idea in the face of this evidence
The last topic touched on by the orator was the
consideration of the evidence and character of Mr..
Beecher There was no alternative for the defend
ant Mr.. Beach thought, except brave and bold
denial fortified by his character and supported by
his church and congregation" That Mr.. Beecher
had committed perjury declared to be ''just as
certain as the course of human evidence" and the
speaker went on to give theory on which he be-
lieved Mr.. Beecher had justified his course. This
was the doctrine of the casuists who thought and
avowed that under certain circumstances it is not
only the privilege but the duty of a man to lie."
References were made by Mr. Beach to letter OF
Thomas X. Beecher to the writings of Prof
Wilkinson, to Mr.. BeecheI's sermons and other
sources to show that this opinion had been enter
tanned by many theoogians.
Mr. Beechers orthodoxy in matters OF belief was
also touched on Mr. TiltOn had been declared hetero
dox. How near was Mr. Beecher to orthodoxy iii
his creedi Mr. Beach read selections from Mr.
Beechers sermons to show the opinions of the Ply
mouth pastor in regard to the inspiration of the
Scriptures and the divinity of Christ "Ihen the
Bible theory of the atOnement is false philosophy"
was Mr. Beach's comment. The speaker claimed
that Mr. Beecher had set aside the Church, and put
il in the same class with literary Institutions He
had brought the Church into dsrepue, and sought to
bring its ministers to the same level He had under
valued the sacredness of the Sabbath day, and ven
Paradise This part of the argument was illustrated
with Scrptural citations and reading of the hymn
60 Rock of Ages"