The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-03-02
THE DEFENSE BEGINS.
GEN. TRACY'S PLEA.

BEECHER's BIOGRAPHY - THE PLAINTIFF
HIS EGoTIsM AND vANITY-HIs JEALOUSY
OF THE INDUSTRIOUS DEFENDANT - THE
TALE OF TILToN's sINs-HIs PURSUIT OF
STRANGE WOMEN AND HERESY IN RE-
LIGIoN AND MORALS
NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-The Brooklyn City
Court seemed more than usually crowded
this morning, the greater number of those
persons being lawyers gathered to hear the
opening address for the defense in the great
scandal trial. The principals to the suit
were early in their seats. Gen. Tracy, of
the counsel for the defense, arrived quarter
of an hour after the formal opening of the
court. When few prelimiuaries had been
arranged he arose and said the time had
arrived for the defense TO open the case.
There were great interests involved in this
trial. They could not be over estimated as
they involved the religious and moral
PENDANT was to go forth vindicated
from this court room, or with a stain
upon his life and character. His client took
his stand here alone but supported by his
God and the justice OF his cause. The de-
PENDANT early devoted himself to the minis
try of God. Il bed of roses. He
struck out for the wild west and rung the
bells in the forest gladss assisted by his dear
wife, who accompanied him. He is now the
same true, simple, unaffected man as he was
then liz bis western home. There was no
pain or human sorrow but had found in him
relieveT. Among his great congregation
he had ministered for over twenty years un-
tiringly. He had been the iIdefatgable
teacher of the people for all these
years. IL was because his preaching
was known by those who knew
the man that he was guarded
u
When danger threatened from abroad he
was FIRST to lead the masses in defense of the
union. His courage in that struggle won
the admiration Of the whole world and the
earnest gratitude of his own people. One of
the most striking characteristics of
the man, was profound and earnest
interest in young men. This prosecu-
ton was the reward received for the
love and devotion he had lsvished upon a
young man. The speaker then went on to
relate
THE HISTORY OF THEODORE TILToN,
who. he said. began life upon the staff of a
newspaper as a reporter. He embraced the
widest views, and believed that the world
would follow in the way which he led. He
became a deist, denounced marriage as a
fraud and as hindering the advancement of
the world. The leader of men must know
Tilton knew only how To destroy. Theodore
Tilton fell from his high eminence, to which
few men attain, to the bottom of an abyss.
In the blind impotence of his rage he de-
termined TO visit his anger upon Henry
Ward Beechsr, imagining that he had besn
the cause of his destruction. Mr.. Bsecher
was the friend of both Theodore Tilton aud
his wife. His friend, wife and children must
be- trampled down to secure that vindication
for which he had bartered his whole soul.
Mr.. Beecher moved to this city from India
napolis in 1S47, and was already matured
man of assured fame when TiiIoD WAS en-
rolled among the men of Plymouth Church.
He had nothing to gain from young Tilton,
and the latter had everything To gain from
the countenance which be afforded him.
Beecher's friendship for Tilton was increased
by the marriage of the latter to young girl
in his church In whom the pastor had taken
an interest. Tilton became an editorial
writer upon the Independent, and was
brought into still closer relations with his
pastor, who was frequent contributor to
Halls Journal. Even at the time Tilton
began TO feel jealousy of Beecher, although
this was not suspected Try the latter.
Beecher. loving the country residence at
which his family remained during certain