Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-05
TILTON-BEECHER,
TiltOn's CrOss-ExaminatiOn Yes
terday.
His Early Acquaintance with
Beecher.
Mutual MOuItOn the Successor of
Sir Phillip Sydney.

Mutual MOuItOn the Successor Of
Sir Phillip Sydney.
No Important Facts Developed,
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-The Brooklyn
city courtroom was again filed with spec
tatOrs this morning, among whom were
many ladies. Mrs. TiltOn was accompanied
by Mrs. Field, Mrs. Shearman and three
other ladies'. Mr.. Beecher aud his wife
and two sons were present, supported by
the usual Plymouth Church delegation.
Mr.. Tilton resumed his place on the
stand and his crOss-examinasiOn was con-
tinued by Mr.. Evarts. He was shown paper
which he could not identify, as a letter
written by Mr.. Beecher to the Cleveland
Convention, which caused political differ
ences between Beecher and himself.
The witness said: cannot
remainder anything that would recall the
difference between him and me at that
time, nor can l remember the year when
the discussion between him and me related
to politics, or the time. IL was then the
general belief in the Republican party that
be had betrayed it. l was then with the
general bulk Of the Republican party, and
Beecher was supporting Andy johnson.
From that period there was nothing which
brought US together on public occasions. L
first took part in the WOman's rights move
ment after Beecher's lecture in Cooper In
stitute. / think this was in 1860, before
the war. suppose that all persons taking
part in that subject have only one
side, and may be regarded as hav-
ing advanced opinions on that sub
ject. In that light, may
be regarded as having advanced opinions
in the matter. This brought me into con-
tact with about 1000 speakers and writers
Onthe subject. Gen. Butler, Chief Justice
Chase, Wendell Phillips, VIM. Lloyd Gar
risOn, Anna Dickinson, Miss Anthony and
Others, were among those L knew and be-
came acquainted with through this channel.
l also became acqus inted with the subject
through the columns Of the Independent
and various tracts. The chief denuncia-
tiOns / have made against the marriage re-
latiOn are since the time Beecher invaded
my house. TShOwn a letter. l am the
writer Of this article, and il was published
by me. The article was dated December
3, 1870.
The witness also identified another arti-
Gle written by him and published in the
Golden Age Of September 9, 1S7l. The
article was entitled, Theodore TiltOn's
rejOinder to Horace Greeley
NIr. Beach insisted that the paper TO
which this was a reply, should also be put
in for counsel 70 see.
Mr. Eyarts replied that this discussion
l. l. r.
covered more than one subject, and they
only desired to read one part Of the article.
I he controversy was settled by Mr..
Shearman reading paragraph relating 70
the subject from Mr.. Greeley's letter, giving
an illustration Of what be Greeley meant
By free love. A paragraph Of Nj. Iiltons
rejOinder was read, staring It seemed 10
him (TiltOn) that Mr.. Greeley referred by
that paragraph that ne was in favor Of free
love, BUT this TiltOl disslaimed. Other
portions Of the same article were read, re-
ferring to divorces between parties not
mated, and advocated the right Of divorce
for III treatment and cruelty.
Witness was shown a number Of articles,
which he identified as his OF published by
him. and were read to show his position
touchIng free love. One Of these articles,
he said, he did not see until two or three
weeks after its publication. When his at
tentiOn was called to il, he expressed bis
decided dissent to its publication. II was
written by an orthodox member Of Beech
er's congregation, who was a lady.
The court then took a recess.
After recess, TiltOn's CrOss-eXaminatiOn
was continued. He was shown a pamphlet
which he identified as the biographical
sketch Of Mrs. Woodruff, Of which he
spoke, and which Eyarts asked to put in
evidence. After long argument the court
ruled it out. and Evarts noted an exception.
The letter written by Beecher Aug. 80,
1866, in relation to an invitation to preside
at a convention Of soIciers and sailors to
be held at Cleveland, was placed IN evidence
and read by ex-Judge Porter, to which an
exception was made by the prosecution.
CrOSs-eXaminatiOR-NOW, Mr.. IntOn,
will ask your personal relations with Beech
er-Did YOU become we'll acquainted with
Beecher prior to this?
Al thought 1 knew him very well, but
find l was much mistasen.
O. Won't YOU describe to me the early
sentiments YOU entertained towards him,
say up TO the time you became assistant
editor? How old were you when your ac-
quaintance commenced?
Al think when was sixteen OF seven
teen.
Odd it begin when you came to re-
side in Brooklyn?
Al think before that.
ON what form?
Al went to his church, and associated
with him in the Independent.
Ole was in his maturity and strength
Of life then?
Al do not know what you consider
maturity.
Q.-What do you consider his age?
About 6j.
Q-Was he a man Of matured years and
settled position in his profession?
Al always regarded him as big boy
and not a man at all.
ON what sense was he big boy?
Ais manners were large, hearty ana
cOmpanIOnable.
Q.-Guileless?
A.-NO, sir.
Docs not that come within the de-
scriptiOn Of boy?
A-NO, sir. The craftiest people know
are boys.
Q-YOu use a phrase in the sense IN gen
erOsity manner?
Al meant to say there was certain
bouncing way in his manner, and be was
fond of things that boys are fond OF. l
thought him the most charming man
ever knew.
Q-You think that you were right
then?
Al had not had the experience 1 have
with men. loved him next to father.
Q.-Up to what periOd2
A.-As I mingled with the world my
idol became dim. 1 met other men, his
peers and superiors, as ! grew older.
Witness said he and Beecher were al
wavs personal friends until 1870. He fire.
quentiv visited Beecher's house, and asked
Beecher to visit his house, because what
ever endowment he Lad he wanted Eliza
beth to share. He always considered him
self very much hOnOred when his wife was
appreciated. My first long absence from
home on lecturing tours in the West began
in 1864 OF 1865. These continued up 70
1871 or 1872, and lasted from the fall on
10 the spring. / do not remember asking
blr. Beecher 70 visit my house during my
absence. though 1 may have done so. The
last time visited his house l think was IN
1861. when / brought q commission IN the
army from Washington for his son, Arthur.
Owing to indiSpOsitiOn on Mrs. Beecner 5
part, l stayed away alter that.
Mr. Beecher regarded my action
for his son as a very great service. He
said l had saved a member Of his family
60