The New York herald., 1875-02-21


theory that to rob the foreign shareholders OF
Erie was laudabe and vrtuous deed.
PUBLIC DECENTRALIZATION.
Public faith had been shaken in many OF our
public teachers and preachers and practitioners.
The story concerning Mr.. Beecher and Mrs. Tilton
came at a time when sceptcism in the virtues OF
many OF our public favorites had begun to ap-
pear. A name great as Beecher's-so promi-
nent for It's numanizing influence many minds
throughout the land, despite all that might have
been said against it-c0uld have withstood the as
saults OF a thousand malignant influences such as
that OF the Woodruff. Yet though the world at
large content to let the matter drop, the busy
lew and the malicious few united to penetrate
the scandal and show IL In all is naked deformity
to the world.
RETIREMENT OF MR. rILToN.
In the middle OF last week Mr.. Tilton finished
his and retired from the boards.
What he proved what he did not prove is for
others to determine. Enough for us 20 know that
after twelve days. examination cross. examination,
&C., mis- story is substantially what revealed in
his publication OF last summer. He retres from the
stand with the reputation OF being witness who
withheld nothing who had no de1cacy whatever
about giving his views and his evidence concern
ing his wite's relations with Mr.. Beecher, and who
will pass into history as man whose peculiar
wrongs have received less OF popular sympathy
than ever did a mans whose case has been brought
so prominently before the public.
THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
was given over to the cross-examination or Mr..
Tllton. 1t was productive OF nothing particular.
T!ltOn suffered long, exhaustive probing from
Evarts. and in the course Of 1t OF the opposite
counsel (Mr. Beaen) offered the following. which
win sand as the most prominent statement OF
the day.
MR.. TIIToN's STATEMENT.
That on the evening OF October TO- 1858, or there
abouts, Mrs. Elizabeth <. rilton held an interview
with the Rev. Henry Ward Beccher, at MS resi-
dence. she being then In tender state Of mind,
owing to the recent death and burial Of q young
child; and during this interview an act OF criminal
commerce took place between this pastor and this
parishoner the motive on her parI being as here
lnbeiore stated, not regarded by her at the
time criminal or wrong; which act was wa, FOL,
these same parties at Mr.. Til toms residence during
pastoral visit paid by Mr. Beecner to ner on the
other similar acts on various occasions from the
autumn or 1858 to the spring or 1870, tne places
being the two residences aforesaid, and occasion.
ally other places to which her pastor would Invite
and accompany her, or at which he would meet
her by previous appointment; these acts OF wrong
being on her part, from first to last, not wantOn
or consciously wicked but arising through blind
ing OF her moral perceptions. Occasoned by the
time to this end by tho Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
as her trusted religious precepiOr and guide.
The egotism of Mr.. T1lton was not confined to
any particular day. 1t permeated his entire testi-
mony. He seemed always to feel that his partcu-
lar mission was to impress the audience and the
Jury with the conviction that, as they never knew
anything before he came on the stand, that after
he left 1t they could never hope to know anything
more. His preponderating self-conceit was more
particularly apparent in the second days proceed
ings, when he defined his views Of marriage and
divorce, ana thus the Tilton oracle spoke
ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
He said he held the common opinion enter.
to1n a a ho
civilized wOrld-tnat marriage was the union OF
one man and one woman forever, for better or
Saps. beyond ne as to aivorce he held views Son on
the subject not entertained Dy the law OF this
with all the other states on the subject OF d.
vorce; here divorce Is granted only ior one soll-
states in New England and in the western
Sta,es divorce Is allowed in variety Of in
stances; ! give an sn Illustration; Inn % say as the
husband brutaly beats his wife she s entitled,
If she wishes 1t. to q divorce; ! say tnat If he
neglects to support her and allows her to suffer
prlvation she Is entitled to divorce; hold that
II the husband is an nabtual orpnkard and makes
the life OF his wife anC children miserable tue wife
Connecticut would III enIIlsa to o divorce FOR
brooklyn for the same cause. for the law OF the
State OF New York only allows divorce for one
cause; the sanctity OF marriage demands that we
cnange our code OF divorce IN New York and
adapt 1t to the New England or Western
CODE which allows VerGs for aerent
wife should separate according TO Will, but that
they shall be governed by the law without respect
on the points i have named; the law Of New
Hampshire allows divorce for desartion the
part OF the husband Tor one year; but If a man,
wife, goes to China, Tor instance. ana lives there
Tor seventy years. the wife cannot obtain d.
desertion for one year in New Hampshire and re.
fuses 1t IN New YORK
After this the witness proceeded to give his
opinions on free love. The final day of Mr.. Tilton
on the stand was Wednesday. 1t was great re-
lief when he stepped down and out. Before this
happened the following letter from Mrs. Tlton was
read. which will bear reproduction In the Light Of
subsequent revelatiOns:-
MIsLED BY A GOOD MAN.
MY DEAR THEoDoRE-I had expected you all
day Yesterday out now your letter Is put in my
feel the bitterest Disappointment but we are
both IN Gods hands, and while now here may say
OF my hearts intense yearnlng, "Return to the
love OF thy youth"
on, my good husband, may you not need the
further discipline OF being msled by good woman
| rs have been oy good man.
rejoice in your happy lace and peaceful mind,
though am not in anywise the cause. 1t will be
Gods gilt alone II your face illumes or heart
throbs with thoughts o. me.
AS for me- Will wait on the Lord; thank you
Tor the sufferings OF the past year. You have been
my delverer. Destroy my letters, nor show them
fear this will prevent me writing from my in
most self. am. very truly ELIZABETH.
Thursday was the saddest day in the whole trial.
1t was bad enough, despite the thin veneering OF
her chastity, that TiltOn should practically hold
his wife up an adulteress; but when her brother
Mr.. Richards, appeared to prove something like
the crime Of adultery by ocular demonstration- to
have caught the parties In almost Ha0rante
delicto-the shock to public sentiment was great
indeed. The scene Is here reproduced -
THE WITNESS ADDRESSES THE JUDGE
The witness hesitated LOT o moment, and turn
ing round IN the cnair, addressed the Judge as
iOllOws:-
'.Will you allow me to say, Your Honor that, In
regard TO this case, am brought here as wit
ness and appear In a peculiar, may saw a cruel
position. did not seek It, am here from pure
necessity ald very reluctantly. This lady is NV
only sister, and esteem her, we all esteem our
slsters.n
The Judge-I recognize that, SIR; the position
sells question put TO yOu