Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-19

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IBk thkOhA VI iAE b&-~ 1870
- The New York Herald thus speculates as
to the theory Of the defence: The letters,
irrelevant as they appeared, are being voln-
minously produced by the defence to sustain
a theory they mean to advance ito Tilton's
character. This theory seems now pretty
plain by the course of Mr.. Evarts' cues
tioning. 1t may be outlined somewhat as
follows: f
Tilton will be represented as smart, re-
bellious minded, vain and subtitle young
person, with an incurable ambition, which
would not stop for point oil principle.
Various Witnesses will be Gdduced to show
this, among them. it IS said. publisher to
whom lie had once sent as original several
of his older poems. receiving $50 apiece for
them. His course will be traced up to the
time when he became Mr.. Beecher' RS profeqe,
when he received for the first time friend
" and social recognition which rapidly ad-
yapead his fortunes. For time he was
modest and affected piety. or, at least. a
high morality. Those were the years OF his
normal growth, but he was unable to stand
GOOD fortune. and when he had reached the
editorial chair of the Independent, and
through Mr.. Beecher's absence became ao-
solute there, he conceived sense Of injury
TO his patron, because the general public
would not give all his radicalisms the re-
speet and credcncc which be expected. In
course of time he embraced an opportunity
to show his spite by attacking MIR. Reeeher
through the columns he controlled and by
antagonizing him il his own lecture room.
The church people regarded him as an up
start and sided with their pastor. Mrs.
Tilton also grew troubled at the lrasclDlli-
ty OF her husband toward the man whom
above all others she considered the purest
and greatest. Baffled OF his own tireslde as
well as in the religious world, Tllton con-
ceiyed hate Tor religion itself, and deter
mined to take the Independent into intideli-
ty. lie was constantly denouncing MIR.
Beecher to his W iie, and the correspond
ence between them proves that she had only
the purest consideration for her pastor, and
hoped through him to recover Hilton to hui
mility and morality. Thus things went on
until anti-Beecherism became monomanla
with this plaintiff lie foreswore the dlVI-
nity of Christ, absented himself IRON
church, introduced the apostles OF devlllsh-
ness to his family, and to rival MIR. Beecher
in the woman's s(Afrage reform ne took the
presidency of the Woodruff school OF te-
male suffragists. and at this time Mrs. III
ton consulted her pastor as to what she
should DO to keep her soul from taInt and
her children from perniciOps influences.
Mr.. Beecher, in an evil hour, advised her to
discipline him, believing that Iilton loved
his wife. and that separation would lead
him 70 make promises OF repentance ana re-
form The confding woman told this to
her husband, whose hate for Beecher was
thus intensified. and he saw chance to
lead them both into a trap whereby he could
revenge himself to the fullest.
About this time lie lost control OF Mr..
B0wen's publications and was reduced TO
want Ge then applied bis whole energies
to the object OF revenge, used Moulton to
involve Mr.. Beecher and obtain admissions
| from him. and finally tortured his SICK wife
into confession Of adultery with Mr.
| Beeehcr. After this Mr. Beeeher was black
mailed for money 10 establish Mr.. TIlton IN
/ business, and Mouiton worked up the ease
| until be not only had quantities OF letters
! from the defendant, but also letters from
| other members of his family, many OF them
awkward and insinuatirg.
According 10 this outline OF the defence
it was part of Tilton's plan TO believe
that his wife had never sinned at heart, but
only through persuasions addressed 10 her
religious nature. Thus. when this arch
conspirator had snbsistcd on his enemy ioI
years and overthrown him at last he would
recover AIS wife and family and be the hero
Of the hour in the city Of Brooklyn. 'Gen.
Tracy will open'in speech Of from two to
three DAYS, and it is well known that hi;
dislike OF M0ulton viii lead HIN to couple
that individual with Tilton as an accessory