The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-15
thA. may easily be eyadsd by changing the

venue tc another county.
lN. Although YOU do tot formally enumerate
among the reasons that may determine your
action consideration of the "enect upon pup
hc morals OF another trial OF the issues m
volved In this matter" vet your reference to the
topic plntniy reveals its influence on your judg-
ment- But WHY should this effect, II such there
may be, operate to deprive me OF my constitu-
tionel right to a spcedy and impartial trial2 II
Is not !, but my accuser, the keV. Henry ward
Beecher. who committed adultery with Mrs.
Elizabeth X. Tilton; and so gave occasion to
this nOtsome scandal. IL was not who FIRST
obtruded the revolving story before the pubicj
but, on the contrary, through three long years
labored with indefatigable endeavor aud an un-
faltering ndelily to suppress II; and at last
! was compelled TO speak reluctantly IN
self defence to repe an Infamous charge
Of hlackmail, which, In his desperation,
me. why now should / alone be sacri6csd To-
the policy. of silence2 This present indictment
was not Of my insiigation, but Is the work of the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and whatever de-
pfavation OF public morals may eusue from its
trial must he imputed to him, and not To the
Innocent victim OF his calumnious accusation.
~ bul 20 not allow that the mi rests OF pub
lie morality will he hurt bv an investigation OF
the Key; Mr.. Beechers guilt. The time was
when thought, and acted on the conviction,
that the Cause Of Christianity, and OF virtue,
would be promoted by the concealment OF his
crimuaitv; hut events have demonstrated
what indeed should have known antecedently,
that II Is not within the economy Of Gods pro-
vidence that any nteres st either Of morals or pol-
icy. is ever impaired or retarded bythe investiga-
ton and prOclanhtiOn OF truth. As understand
IT, harm can come of this trans ction only In
lcge vOuchsafed to ministers Of the Gosnel to
revel In the unhailowed pleasures of concupis-
cence whereas, on the contrary, the welfare Uf
religion and society Will be secured by indissolu-
bly linking to the offence Its inevitable penalty
OF exposure and retribution. In the circum-
stances OF the affair, be they ever so cOptOuslY
detailed, VIII be found everything to disgust and
repel. and nothing to bewitch and attract and,
except there he a miscarriage OF Justice, Of
which, however. you evidently have no appre-
hension, cannot conceive the possibility that
The public morals will toe afronted 10y the proof
% 80 laN urb aas shar - .uIf
am indicted Of libel In charging the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher with criminal intercourse
with female mcmner Of his congregation. 1he
charge IL true ne knows II to be true; and what
ever the imperfcctions OF mans tribunals. the
supreme Ruler VIII some, day reveal the truth
ana vindtcHte the right. Fol- spe king the truth,
aud nothing but the truth. and that, too, under
challenge and in defence OF my own character
and the character of her whose good name Is
dearer to the than life itself, have been arragned
rs criminal, compelled like a felOn to plead
with uplitted hand, subjected to the ignoniny
OF bonds against an escape from Justice, loaded
with ohloq ~ 10y the public press, frowned upOn
and avoided by society; ana now, after the in
dictment against me has served Its purpose by
discredittng in advance witness OF the Rev.
Mr. Beechers guilt, ana It Ia apparent TO YOU, "a
II Is To the world, that am innocent and must
be acquitted at this moment and under these
circumstances, am requested to "aCqu.esce
III a n lie prosequi' and to suffer my accuser To-
escape the penalty Of his perjurcd prosecution
Never, sir, neverl demand trial and shall
be ready, ON any reasonable notice. to make
good my defence. Very respectfully,
FRANCIS ID. MOuLTON.
The Hon. WINCHESTER BRrTToN, District At
torney, &c, Ac Sc.
The correspondence rs given above lacks the re-
ply Of Mr.. Beecher to District Attorney Dritton.
sun reporter asked Mr. Brtton last evening
to supply the missing document, but he refused,
trmly. though courteously.
when am prepared to give the matter to
the public, he said, - will have the letters all
published together"
But the rest of the series will be published
In The sun tomorrow morning" said the re-
porter
"we, am not responsible for that. who
ever furnished them for publication is guilty OF
a gross breach OF etiquette"
"Will you state the substance Of the letter p
That would be equivalent to giving you the
letter itself. No, cir; i am reluctantly compel
led 20 deny YOU"
In your letter to Mr.. Moultcn you intimate
that Mr. Beecher acquiesces In your proposal
not to try MIR. Moulton under the Indictment
found against hiEl for libel That acquescence,
l presume Is the gist of the suppressed letter"
THAT Is the point Of It,"
II Mr.. Moulton persists In demanding trial,
what would you do"
81 have not considered. l received Mr.. Moul-
tons letter late this afternoon, and have only
hastily read II. do no; know what will he done
next. do not favor trial, aud my reasons are
fully expressed In my letter"
should Mr. Moulton demand a trial, and be
refused, would not that be IN effect u recogni-
tion Of his innocence, and logically OF Mr.
Beecher's guiltY That is to say, II you believe
there Is any proof that Mr.. Moulton Is guilty Of
libel, can you, consistently with your official
duty, decline to try himI'
well, Sir, would rather not say anything for
the public just yet"
Mr.. Moulton being questioned. said that he
did not care To add anything to what he had said
in his letter. lie wanted a vindication, and
should stfenuously demand trial under the
libel indictment Us the surest way Of proving
the truth of his accusation Of Mr. Beecher.