Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-04
EVERLASTING EEARTS.
The Interviews of that Stormy
December Night.
Various IneOngruities Of TiItOn's
Theory.

Various IBeOngruities Of TiItOn's
Theory.
NEW YORK, June 3.-The following is
from the report furnished by the EUening
Post in advance Of publications
There was a large attendance to-day, and
many spectators stood upon the outskirts
Of the crowd. Mr.. Evarts, Mr.. Porter and
Mir. ABBOT were late, coming in together at
ten minutes past eleven. Mr.. EYarts
apOlOgized for the delay by saying it was
due to the detention Of the ferryboat IN the
stream a few minutes. Mr. Evarts re-
sumed his address to the jury, He said
Mr.. Beecher had told them What
the paper contained which TiltOn read
TO him as the statement CT his wife. Mr..
TiltOn, when recalled. said it was quite
different from the description Of its con-
tents given by Beecher, buC what difference
he did not say. MoultOn was the custO-
dian Of the original statement. The YER
sion which was given by BeecheE it was
vital to the plaintiffs cause to
contradict 1t. Why was not MOulton
asked to contradic. it? He had
read the paper and his memory was so
good he could repeat years afterwards the
exact words of the speech with which Til
ton introduced Victoria Woodruff 10 q
New York audience. They did not dare
give different version Ofthe paper because
there was too much evidence on record,
written and oral, TO prove the conscious
perjury of such an attempt.
EVarts lead from the CIOss-examination
Of TiltOn as to his use Of the paper at his
interview with Beecher on Dec. 3Oth. He
cail that fIflFnnfu
the reading of the paper to be the climax
Of his accusation against Beecher, the
elincher to which bis previous address led
up. Counsel then read from the testimony
Of Beecher upon the same points, and said
that the evidence Of both parties to the in
tervieW, was to the effect that the reading
Of this paper was the first thing which Oc-
casiOned a manifestation of surprise by
Beecher. There was no escaping from the
acceptance Of defendants version of this
paper, for no other had been substituted,
and the paper itself had been destroyed,
for with it plaintiff could not have obtained
his footing in court one moment. These
facts destroyed the whole story of Tilton's
alleged narrative 10 Beecher of his
wife's verbal confession of adultery.
Mr.. Evarts then considered the interview
between the alleged adultereSs and her al
legged paramount, held in her chamber alone
and at night, at the suggestion or with the
acquiescence Of her husband. He urged the
incTedibility Of such an occurrence, if there
had been particle of truth in the charge
which Tilton presented. SuppOsing it pos
sible that the outraged husband could de-
sire or suggest such a meeting, would the
seducer wish such an interview, and know
ing himself to be guilty, 60 to verify the
accusation?
Mr.. Evarts spoke Of the character of Mr..
TiltOn as manifested in his acts and decla-
Tations. What an abnormal and mon
strous character this was which would lead
a man to resolve to pull down the temple
of his own household and crush his wife
and children rather than rest under impu-
tatiOns which were cast upon him by the
jests of DR.. Bacon. Rather than endure
the stings Of Dr. BacOn's witty references
to Shakespeare, he determined as he de-
claTed to smash Elizabeth and ruin the
good name Of his children.
Returning to the night Of December so,
Eyarts said the first thing MOulton said to
Beecher when be came down stairs from
the interview with Tilton, was to ask if he
was going to Mrs. Tilton's. How came
TO think Of such a thing? Then
MOulton offered TO accompany Beecher.
Why should he think Beecher needed an
escort at 9 o'clock az night TO walk a short
distance in an orderly and reputable neigh
bOrhOOd? Beecher reached TiltCa's house
and was shown up to the sick chamber Of
Mrs. TiltOn. The nurse, Mrs. Mitchell,
did not need to be asked 10 leave the room.
When: the clergyman came at an
hour to talk with the sick
woman, who was a parishiOner, she
left the room as any nurse would
have left it under such circumstances.
She had no fear that the patient would be
unduly disturbed, for she was a religious
woman herself, and she did not dread any
danger from the words Of a minister who
preached that peace which passeth all IN
Her confidence was justified,
for when Bcecher left, and the nurse re-
turned, she found Mrs. Tilton calm and
tranquil. Nothing had occurred in that in
.erview to disturb her conscience. She had
-epented a wrong and redressed an evil !
which was false. She had
obtained a sort Of restoration Of herself in
he good opinion Of this good man.
Well might she sleep peacefully that |
night By the side Of her nurse. |
Mr.. Evarts then read from Beecher's tes-
imOny as to this interview with Mrs. Til |
on. With regard to the first part of this |
he showed that Beecher had a better mem
BY than MOultOn, for he remembered she |
vas sick. It indicated also, in the descrIp-
ion Of the careful arrangement of the |
NOW white drapery Of the couch at that |
lOur Of night, that Mrs. TiltOn had been /
prepared for this visit. He read the testi-
nOny Of Beecher as to his conversation /
with Mrs. TiltOn and the writing of her /
atTactiOn. he said that the jury had here
/ letter written by Mrs. TiltOn Immediately
after the charge was made by Mr.. Til,On,
which showed cOnclusiyely that the charge
vas one Of improper solicitation. No
trOnger evidence could be produced except