Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-08
EVERLASTING EVARTS.

Renting Pews-TaIk of Suicide-ahs
Boy RaIPh-Kissing Men-Tlton An
Beeeherss Lap-MOtheF-in-lAU lAU Morse
NEW YORK, June THE Brooklyn
City Court room was crowded as usual and
among the audience were many ladies'.
Mr. Evarts arrived very early; also Mr..
Beach and the plaintiff. Mr.. Beecher was
surrounded by relatives this morning, the
family party including his sisters, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Mrs. Perkins and Miss
Catharine Beecher. After the recess, Judge
Nelson announced that Mr.. Beach had a
case in another court and wished Mr.. Eyarts
to proceed without him, which he did.
1t was not his purpose to treat all the
random and scattered interviews In the
years following 1870. 1t was apparent the
lines were drawn in the interviews he had
already considered, and that nothing new
in the shape of accusation was presented in
subsequent meetings. He thought it well
20 call attention to the meeting OF the Sd
of January, in which it was alleged that
Beecher said to TiltOn he was ready to
comply with the demand for his retirement
if it was insisted OD, and if Mr.. TfltOn said
so, the renting of the pews should not
90 on. The ahSurdity of this was appa-
1 lEllLs LlOh NOuAu OECIAEA AAdAC NAS LAoN
statement, when the whO,e agony Of the
interview of Dec. 80 had been to do away
with any effect from TiltOn's letter?
ping the rentirg of pews, when
this had already taken place. Tilton also
testified that Beeeher begged him to give
him notice if he found it necessary to make
public the recital of this case, in order that
he (Beecher) might commit suicide or
leave for some foreign land; also that
Beecher entreated him not to let Mrs.
Beecher know Of iI, as she had always
been TiltOn's enemy, and might readily be-
come his. Now this whole proceeding on
TiltOn's part was ayOWedly for the avoid
ance of publication, and the imprObability
of such requests by Beecher was evident.
Then it was testified by TiltOn that Beech
er expressed his sympathy for Mrs. TiltOn,
and took all the blame upon himself
Beecher testified that he expressed great re-
gret for the part he had taken in regard to
Tilton's domestic troubles and blamed
himself for his course in the matter.
Then there was a very extraordinary in
tervieW in the middle of February, accord
ing to Tilton, which was held for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the paternity of the
boy Ralph. If this interview was not sb-
surd, according to TiltOn's own version, no
power Of human language could present an
absurdity.
There was a supplementary interview in
Mrs. Tilton's bedroom, at which Mrs.
Tilton was present, which Tilton spoke of
as his satisfactory interview with Beecher,
and said that the latter had acted through
out like a man of honor. Before they sep
arated they kissed each other all around.
Either this was fabrication of the most
unblushing efrontery, or it was true mar
rative.
Then there was the interview in May,
in which Beecher said Tilton sat on his
knee and was discovered by Mrs. TiltOn
who came into the room and burst out
laughing. At this time Beecher believed
that a complete reconciliation had been
effected. Mr.. Tilton did not deny the cir
cumstances narrated, but assigned them
date often years ago.
The whole course Of proceedings in this
case was wholly inconsistent with the as
sertion that the charge of adultery was
ever made to defendant during this matter.
How, on the plaintiffs theory, could the
plaintiffs conduct be recOnciled with it ex-
cept By acknowledging that he was guided
by the basest possible motives?
Titon said the kissing was done on the
forehead. Well, if it was, Beecher must
have got up on chair, or TiltOn must have
yielded himself to the embrace. Laugh
ter.l
Evarts ridiculed Tilton's theory that Mrs.
Morse furnished the Woodruff with her
information, saying he laid all his troubles
on his poor mother-in-law.
The testimony of Tracy was reviewed at
length, showing that at the time Tracy was
called in as a lawyer, TiltOn charged
Beecher with improper advances only.
During the review of Tracy's testimony,
the court adjourned,