Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-08


evil bird that fouls its own nest and we have all
read of the devotion with which wounded
mother bird hides her young in their nest, smoth-
ering even the groans of the dying bird lest they
should betray them.
In relation to the interview of Moulton with
Beecher, January |, 1871, Mr.. Eyarts said Moul-
ton sought Beecher and told him he pleased
at having got the rctraction Then Moulton goes
on to say Beecher said he in misery. and was
ready to make any reparatOn, as be knew he had
done great wrong, and he wcpt bitterly. They
never, exclaimed counsel, can tell story about
elevated intellect and heart. The defendant
minister, husband and grandtather-felt no mis-
cry for having committed adultery with another
mans wife. But because he was 1hcodores
friend and Elizabeths pastor he wcpt bitterly.
Counsel read from Moulton's testimony that
Bcochcr told him at that interview, January |,
1871, that Mrs. Iilton sent for him IN july 1870,
and said she thought their relations were wrong,
and they prayed to God for strength to give up
their sexual relations. thought said counsel,
that on plaintiffs showing she never knew there
anything wrong in adultery until undei the
inspiration Of Catherine Gaunt.
Versions of the contrltion letter interview as
given by Bcecher and Moulton, were here read,
and then Wilkcson's testimony as to T,tons threat
to publish his story unless Bowen did him justice
unless he gave $1,000 to Tilton. Wilkeson swore
he met Tilton 10 Washington, and Tilton showed
him the photograph of his wife and complained
that she was OF mean appearance and had not dc
veopcd As he had since their marriage. Ton
was asked "Did you show the photograph of your
wife 10 him :" "No,' SAYS he, 81 showed HIM the
photographs of two Of my daughters Alice an
Florence and lie mistOok the card of Florence for
that Of my wife, and nc apostrophzcd oSel it with
a glass OF wine" Gentlemen, sail Evatts, laugh
ing, at that time Florence was six wears of age.
N.aughter.) 1t would take more than glass OF
wine TO cause a of such clear head as sam
Wiheson to take the photograph of a child six
years old for that of the wife Of this Apollo.
Recess was here taken.
Mr. Evo,ts thon discnsSn1 tbc uupstion of now
much Importance ought to be attached to confess
sions Or reported confessions in writing, IN the
absence Of other proofs. After treating the ques-
ton Of emotion aud its effect on mans conduct
and action, he drew this comparison; If man
refers TO tAe commission of any crime, such as
burglary arson, ETC., and there is 10 proof be-
yond this, are you to adjudge the man guilty be-
cause of his emotional confession OF reference TO
the transaction? When these matters dealt
with in the piecemeal discussion of evidence, men
must be brought down to feel that within the rules
of evidence and in the rules OF law there may
have been this that degree of guilt, but there
must be definite conclusion accusation. No
man in his senses wishes such verdict strikes
to the heart woman AMI her children, and de-
stroys their fame; strikes to the heart the honora-
bic repute of the alleged paramour and involves
his family in ruin and disgrace. DlscaIdlng for
moment any of the grayer responsibilities that
grow out Of the public and important character OF
the ALLEGED adutcler, leaving all that out, no man
wishes TO a verdict that will occasion an ap-
peak to know what iustlfes it. Did any body ever
see them in lewd connection, treading Il de-
yious path from the prophecies of society IN SIN.
gle instancef No Did anybody bring you con.
iession of the fact No. But they brought in the
hand writing, if you please, o. the report written
under dictaon, this or that expression of emotion
or sef-reproach, seli-compuncton, and there
must have been something behind it, and we
thought this was behind It, \ great struggle was
maize by our learned opponents, in which they
had every aid from the witnesses, Triton and
Aia,,lo f,D,., a,tl Of
fact obtaining at this interview the first CT
January on the ground for any feeling express
sion from Bcecher as toward 1ilton and his fami
ly, or in respect of Beecher conduct, except the
injury to that family from his relations to Mrs.
Elton. That left undisturbcd, to be sure, the en-
tire and sufficient basis IN our judgment, and
have no doubt, in yours, of almost any degree OF
severity Of selfrepgoach and commensurate en-
pressons of grief and pity from admitted situation
of chagrin and sorrow and Standardization on
Becchers palt. But gentlemen we have wholly
ovcrpowered the proofs of this case these great
efforts of the plaintiff. We have shown you that
the resort of the wife from the cruelty of her hus
band was real fact, the force of which is as great
it is possbl to conceive of on the ground of re-
sentiment of husband against such interference, |
and as ground of selt-reproach on the part of |
MIR, Beecher, if he had been rashly led into that
by scandalous and false representations.
The interview between Mouton and Mr.. Beech |
er was then described. 1t took place on January
LIST, and Mr.. Moulton worked upon the feelings
OF Mr. Beecher that he made him believe he was |
guilty of the most henous offence, simply because
he had interfered in the domestic relations of Mr..
Tilton. This it was that caused him to exhibit so
much emotion and to shed tears.
Mr. Evarts read the Letter Of Contiiton," sem |
teIce by sentence, making comments as he went
along. Beecher thought to himself that he had not
returned the good which Tilton had done him, |
with anything but evil How ludicrous it seemed |
if they attributed that sentiment to the seduction
OF the wAc. Beecher had given his idea of the let
ter Of conrition. Had not Mr.. Beecher all through
this, however, desire to meet the charge
at any time, if others could endure it !!
Lately it had been called "etter of contrition.'
i ae question was-( ontrition of what The whole |
tone on the subject had never been treated a
confession; 1t was always spoken of a memo |
randum and apology. Another phrase in the Ba |
con letter referred to the paper apology" at
the very time that Mr.. Ilton was so anxious to re-
move any luminosity Beecher might have towards |
HIM. There was no sense in the idea that he had
10 force friendler feeling. What happened to
the letter in the early days nobody could tell. |
Bowen and Beccher said it was not shown to
them; Mr.. Beecher did not care about the charges |
as shown by the evidence. The malicious paper |
was brought into existence TO affect Beechers |
mind, and to affect Bowen's mind All through |
those interviews in January, they would find the
effort and the purpose to assist Mr.. Tilton and in
On the | 18th of January. there occurred what was
spoken Of as a casual meeting between Beecher
and Hilton. There went on between Tilton and
Beecher reconciliation as Moulton thought prop
er. Moulton's account of the interview confirmed
the evidence OF Mr.. Beechcr much more than that
of Iilton. vt =. Nj. the court adjourned till
Monday.