New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02

time At Mr.. Tilton. Still later the morning, he
eviAced more feeling when questioned in regard 10
the occasion of the service rendered to his son
m the army by Mr. Tilton He said :" lie was
doug little kindnesses that were very agreeabie'
but there that stood out beyond all otners
aud was very specially valuable to me" After 'he
word "verv" there was long pause; the words
stuck in the witnesses throat and it was only with
great effort that he concealed the strong emotion
which he felt Only the closest observers and those
very near him, knew that he was keeping back
tears And on another occasion he was long time
in getting control of his voice as TO answer clearly
the question as to the number of his children IN the
words:
-Four with me and five waiting for me-
SUMMARY OF Mr.. BEECHER'S TESTIMONY.
The testimony of Mr.. Beecher yesterday may pe
called preliminary It was outline narrative, an
abridged history, of his early life and struggles his
subsequent religious and political services, his do
nestle relations, and his intimacy with Mr.. Bowen,
Mr.. Titon, and Mr.. Moulton. 1t led from his birth
down to the eventful period of December, 1871
when according to the theory of the defense, the
conspiracy began. 1t is a narrative not without
interest but it cannot with prOpTiey be SAID TO 1orn
part of the defense or to furnish explanation Oh
his course in reference to the issues of this Inc
defense proper will doubtless begin to-day IL was
not without its purpose and bearing ON the case
however, and some of the points OF interest are
worth calculation. Throughout 1T was character
lied by fine touches of sentiment and humor' ana
several times Mr.. Beecher in few phrases drew
striking sketches of character.
: 1t was natural to anticipate that the defense
would elaborate Mr.. Beecher's statement of his
services during the war, and particularly abroad
Mr. Tracy in his opening address, had placed great
.Ia al ed In.
Beecher in enlightenng public opinion abroad But
the point was dismissed with a single question OF
two to which the answers were brief, and the Jury
were left to recall as best they could what aid he
had rendered at that time.
The growth of Plymouth Church from embryo to
it's present magnitude, with between $500 and 1900
communicates; the building up of The Independent
and The Christian Onion the latter from circulation
of COO to 600 in single year, the rapid production
of thirty-fve volumes-al these labOrs were merely
mentioned ordinary events. The great nelp
which his wife had given him during all the years
of their married life was, however, more fully dwelt
on and emphasized.
A few minutes were occupied with the defend
ants account of his early friendship with Mr.. Ill
tor. Mr. BeecheT's manner i'll giving the history oil
their former intimacy was entirely devoid OF
the humor with which he had an
swered the unimpOrtant questions OF the morn
ing and his voice hesitated at times as though he
were deeply moved He also told of his first &C
quaintance with Francis d. Moulton, and this part
of his narrative seemed to arouse once more his
sense of humor, and he laughed outright as he de-
scribed him as "a worshper of James
Russell Lowell and Shakespeares sonnets."
Mr.. Beecher's first acquaintance with Mrs
Tilton was then explained. He had
known of her when she was girl, but had no per-
sonal acquaintance with her until she was to be
married to Mr.. Tilton. Then he called upon her at
her husbands request. This stage of the inquiry
elected from Mr.. Beecher explanation of the cir
cumstances under which some of his presents were
made to Mrs. TiltOD. The first of these was Bra
lillian topaz brooch which he had brought TO her from
Europe in 1860, where he had also purchased little
presents for many as thirty other friends. lie
also explained how he came to give her the picture
of the trailing arbutus. The questions IN regard 10
this period of Mr. Bccchers acquaintance occupied
only short time, and the narrator passed rapidly
to the year 1870 ,
Mr. Fullerton then moved his chair close to thai
of Mr.. Beach, and the two lawyer were in constant
consultation. Frequently when Mr. Evarts would
put a question Mr.. Beach would object, but instead
of starting up to argue tue point with ms usual
earnestness he frequently turned to Mr.. Fullerton
and conversed with him in low tones for few min
utes. The consul alton sometimes ended IN the
Withdrawal of the objection without argument.
These tactics seemed to Indicate that the
spectators were not the only ones who
lad been led by Mr. Eyarts's preliminary
questions TO believe that none Cf the main
points of the defendants testimony would come
up for their consideration during the afternoon.
MIR. Evarts's course with the witness clearly
surprise to his opponents Mr. Beecher narrated the
circumstances which led him in December, 1870, to
write to Mrs. 1iltOn the note advising her 10 sep
arate from her husband, which the de-
tense affirm was of the grounds Of the letter OF
cOntrition. As much of the note as contained Alr.
Beechers advice was put in evidence. but the latter
part OF 1t, which contained MIR. Beechers reasons
for his advice was not read. MI. Eyarts
made a strong effort to have the conversations
between Mr. Beecher and Mrs. Triton regarding Mr..
Tilton's treatment of her admitted in the defend
ants testimony Mr.. Beach objected strenu-
ousIy, and arguments of considerable length
followed on each side. About three-quarters
of an hour were occupied with tho dis
SION OF this point but after Judge Nelson had
given his decision ruiing ont the conversations,
Mr.. Beach Withdrew his objection, and they were
admitted. Mr.. Beecher was discussing this tOpic at
the Adjournment