The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-21
Elizabeth Tilton-Blrs, Beecher,

By the SIDE OF BeeChef Slt6 mis- Wlfe
and family, and with them the wife of
Tilt0n, the accuser. Whether Elizabeth
Tilton be guilty or innocent, what must
be her feelings as she looks from the
judge to the jury, and from her pastor to-
her husband? Guilty, what farce it
must be to her, all these learned gentle
men disputing about that which she
knows 50 well in her own heart, and
could tell in an instant! Innocent, how
she must blush to her innermost depths
at the vile accusations made against her,
and blame her marvellous folly in con-
Tossing to her husband, under threats if
you please, crime which she had never
committed! This last, probably i'm
presses her whether she be innocent or
guilty, as she reflects upon all the long
years of suffering for her, and others,
which have been produced by that con-
tession.
Thoughts must cross her mind, if gull
ty, that it was the effort to do right, to
relieve her burdened soul, and to ac-
knowledge to him, who, next to her GOD,
should know all her secrets, which had
led to this dreadful ordeal, which further
concealment would have prevented, and
that to do wrong were better than to
have done right. If guilty, back through
the vistas of the past her mind must
wander, as the evidence unfolds before
her the scenes of those days, every detail
OF which is indeliby imprinted upon her
memory, and she must feel that every
eye reads confirmation in her look and
guilt in her countenance. Guilty, she
has cast the die, and given herself now
more entirely to him whom she loves bet
ter than her husband-than she did in the
embraces Of the past-for here is calm,
deliberate purpose to crush out the a;her
of ner children, and to plant upon his ruin
the figure of her lover. y.
There Is still another in the group
about the defendant, in the court room,
who awaits the dread decree with feel
ings equally acute, and who, whatever
may be the division of sentiment as to
the other four, receives the united SYM
pathy and respect of the world. Sitting
there, with her powerful, masculine
race, what depths of sorrow does the
wife of Beecher cover with that stern
smile? The arrows of eloquent and i'm
paSsioned vindfctiyenesS. hurled at the
plaintiff, glance from him to transtx her.
She also has thrown away the scabbard
and will never .sheathe the sword while
the honor of her husband is attacked.
She is making the fight for him, perhaps
at all hazards.
one mas UeIeTulHeu u SCaHu OF lall
with him, whether from the conviction
OF his innocence or because of pride for
herself and love for her family, God only
knows, for, save by an irrepressible
shadow fitting swiftly over her features
and by the ripple indicating the stirring
of the depths below, none are allowed to
read her thoughts. And although her
calm reflection must shudder at the Ian
guage of some of his letters, written in
such glowing terms to another of her
sex, so suggestive to the purest mind OF
criminality, she gallantly sustains the
attitude she has assumed.
She has borne him children, she has
laid OH his breast; years, years ago'she
pledged him her troth, and she has de-
scended the paths Of life too far with
him, and weathered too many storms
and enjoyed too many happy days with
him, to surrender. Who can doubt the
wearing anxiety that must rack her soul,
tor, although innocent herself, her fate is
wrapped in him who is arraigned at the
bar OF justice, and in the judgment of the
tribunal rests her future. God grant
safe deiiverance to the innocent, and
may the guilty not 60 unpunished, is our
earnest wish, and with that we wait for
the Observation-Disclosures Press.