New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-29
THE LETTERS IN THE CASE.


PERIOD before come to the hrst movements OF actual
opening important relations this controversy, mean
tho month OF December, 1870 Now perhaps all that
noed to add here to what have already laid down as the
length and breadth and utmost scope and impression Oh
the evidence Of such relations existed between Mrs
TiltOn and Mr.. Bcccher-I need. say, perhaps only
to add to that that no lOve-letters OF any
kind have been offered pretended TO exist
between those parties Mr. Beecher and Mrs. Tton dur
ing tho whole period OF their acquaintance down to this
very month OF December 1870. Not ono letter. All
the letters Of inculpaory character that have been
produced I'm this case of written communications be-
tween the paramour and the wife, have been letters Writ
by Mr. Beechcr after tho accusation and tho whole
apparatus and machinery OF tho December and January
ard February interviews had been through WITH or while
they were going on openly left by the wife, as she left
everything when she left the house. exposed, and her
taking with her. her husband said, nothing but Ills
love and good WILL which she still had And, In respect
to the letters Mr. Bccchcr from Mrs. Tton, they we're
all after the explosion all during the periods of arrange
ment or after the period Of reconciliation and ALL so far
rs my memory goes made deposits in tho hands OF Mr.
Moulton Well now. that is very odd state OF things
They were letters begun after tho situation has been
made public to the husband and mis- friends, ana We
actually have had, think, not much on this trial.
STILL I cannot say what my learned Tlehu
may think his duty and the truth of tho case may coll
upon him to say in his behalf when he follows mo- but
think not much on this trial, but in publications
that are part OF public history OF tho case como OF
these letters have beon made the occasion Of the basest
and vugarest interpretation such as am sure MI III
ton In his senses could have imputed to his wife,
for he has said to you that there was nothing
lcwd could possibly find lurking place in
the heart or the life OF Elizabeth TiltOn.
And on the part Of Mr. Beecher these subsequent letters
have been made the mputaon against him OF gross and
coarse vulgar equvOques that introduced to the
notice of an cxasperaed husband, and of largely OK
pcyenccd friend, in matters OF common lie tMr MOul-
toni and first have their appearance in the life or the
writings OF Henry Ward Beecher in these subsequent
letters. we gentlemen, this proves as all such efforts
do prove when tested evidence in favor OF these par
ties Rightly explored, sensbly and naturally read,
there ia nothing in them but tho most elevated ex-
preston Of feeling and purity. Bat If there is In
these letters these coarse, loose, lcwd exhaa-
tons from the heart OF Elizabeth Tton, what be-
comes OF tho theory; tho comprehensive, and as
believe the honest testimony that Mr.. Ton has borne
to the absolute purity OF her thoughts well as OF her
hear-what becomes OF the generous simple, complete,
all-comprehcnsve confirmation Of this purity OF mind
and Of heart which Mrs. Bradshaw their witness, has
given, in o phrase OF singular power, when In
addition TO her delcacy, her morality, her picty,
her devoted love to her husband and her
children which this Lady said remained unbr0ken down
to the time spoke Of 1872 she added that she
the cleancst minded woman that she ever knew. And
how OF Mrs. Oyingtons estimate OF this friend and
sister, OF whose purity whose p!ety. whose words
of love and affection and duty to her neigh
bors and her household Mrs. Oyngton had
80 rich an experience in her watchngs
and minstrations her visits In the sickness in her fam
iy whether OF herself her husband-she Mrs Owing
ton as honest, as open, as clear-mndcd woman as
ever lived; but Mrs Ovngon has idea that Elizabeth
Tton Is not in all these regards up to all the magina
tons Of poets OF tho dignity and elevation of her
Sex All what terrible imputation upon the plaintiff II
he now presents IT, under his instructions and inspra
on the learned counsel taking these Instructions and
inspirations from him. imputes obscenity, vulgarty as
the hidden meaning of the innocent expressions Of these
letters which, as say show themselves as ENJOYS into
the exasperated camp Of tho husband, and in her
answer delivered to the keeping OF tho mutual friend