The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-15

whatever the verdict he would stand by Beech
er. This illustrated the great power and mag
netism of Beecher.
The same way the most improbable character
for purity in view of the evidence was given to
Mrs Tilton. Beecher makes her religious
enthusiast and Tilton is under the idea that she
is white souled" and he so testified, but coun-
sci could see nothing in minister that would
lead a pious woman to commit adultery with
him and not know of her guilt. Judging these
men. however, from their own standpoints Mrs.
Tilton was in that frame of sublimated piety
which oyercame her scruples and blinded her
rereeptiops and she may have been under the
delusion that she was rendering service to God
instead of degrading her womanhood La his
depressed mood Beecher went to her and met
with the warmth of woman's sympathy. She
wrote to Tilton, 81 am much to him (Beecher)
even rest to him; l wish you were with me al
ways THIS trinity of friendship have always
sighed for" She thus associated herself in
her mind with these two men IN trinity invested
with the idea of holiness, and This lettet was
written in Feb. 1868. Was it from her con-
seriousness that there was dangerous element
i'm her friendship for Beecher that she wrote in
the same letter. 'Let not that shadow of
shadow rest on your spirit because of this
She saw his identity with the interest of the
church. This man so great and intiu, ntial
comes to her delicate woman and tells her he
finds in her the greatest inspiration on earth.
In 1867 she wrote, "Oh, how my soul yearns af-
ter two dear men; do love him (Beecher) very
dearly. If have grace to preserve my white
this trinity" Well, that is a dangerous con-
dition when woman processes love for two
men and unites another man with her huS-
band in hopes AID prayers and unified trinity.
December, 1866, she wrote to Hilton II have
been thinking considerably of my love for
Beecher, since ] knew him. 1t was like the
birth of another babe, a new fountain open. /
realize what attracts you both to me is sup
posed purity, therefore l pray more than ever
for purity of heart" Oh, said the counsel,
some misgvpgs. What were the womanly
services she gave Beecher? We have no way
of knowing. Here is a remarkable letter. In
Feb. 1868, she wrote that she longed for his
presence; could not wish him home as she felt
that she was happier away and she was haunted
with the idea that his dear head would soon be
bowed with agony,
This was after years of these womanly minis
trations to Beecher,-he pressing designs on
her chastity and she with womanly instinct re-
sisting in the agony of prayer 1t was on this
woman, so devoted to him, that Beecher
wrought his will Now with his own descrip-
ton Of his tendency and his power,wth Tempt
alton irresistible to man of his passions and
temperament, is it surprising that these people
fell or that she should attribute to this inter-
course a spirit of piety and self sacrifice?
A woman does not fall through carnal lust,
but etherealized love. She sees no lust in their
intercourse and one can well conceive such
woman on the evidence before US, surrounding
her intercourse with this defendant with ideas
of exaltaton and purity not inconsistent with
her character. The arguments he addressed to
her are described in Tilton's evidence. She
told him Beecher persuaded her 'as their love
was not wrong, therefore any expression OF 1t
was proper" She also said Beecher was
great and holy man and had repeatedly assured
her that their relations were not sinful Their
love was right and justified all the varied ex-
pressons of it. He told her so over and over
again and she trusted him. She stated to Mrs.
Moulten that she would sacrifice her hus band,
and for the sake of Beecher and the church,
herself and children it was her duty to falsify
and deny everything if called before the com
mttee. That this woman should forsake her
husband and children and follow the fortunes
of Beecher is as natural as that she should sac
rifice her chastity to him.
Counsel could not tell how she was overcome,
but Beecher IN one of his sermons says: The
adulterer confuses her judgment, mis'eads her
conscience and deliberately, heartlessly dooms
his confdng victim" This was the mode
and Beecher alone could describe it. Says the
preacher, '"rhere are four things beyond my
comprehension; the way of the eagle in the
air, the way of the serpent on rock, the way
of ship on the sea and the way of a minister
with maid" (Laughter) Counsel proceed
ed to discuss the defence that the interests of
religion would suffer by the condemnation
often bore greater disasters than the fall of a
man like Beecher in conflicting sects and doc
trineS and prosecutions, while the banner OF
the cross shall continue as it ever did to adj
vance till every tongue shall confess that the
Lord is God (Applause)
But the question of the hour is whether the
great name of Beecher and the power OF the
great church can overcome the principles OF
law and justice. Appeal is made to our sym
pathies in behalf of man on account of his
i f. l., II do
such man, and therefore it is that anxiety
exists to ascertain whether these influences
can affect the disposition of the case. 1t was
the impulsve sentiment of christianity that it
would be well for the churches that Beecher
should be proven innocent, and therefore every
effort was made in that drec ion, but the judg-
ment of the world has already anticipated the
verdict of the jury. The voice of the people is
the voice of God and they cannot reverse the
peoples verdict, but they can consider whether
this case is to be decided according to the wise
and Just rules laid down for our guidance.
The blackmail theory was next takeh up.
The first event in that line of the evidence was
the Woodruff card in May, 1871, with which
IT, bs1 hv d was as to that
Evarts here objected that this was not the
testimony for the defence.
Beach replied that this question was clear
enough in view of Andrews evidence and the
positive evidence of Tllton and Moulton as TO
an acquaintance with Woodruff. After that
card there was an uneasy feeling in the church,
continuing down to the following year as de-
scrbed by Deacon West, who, when Beecher
said to him that sile ice was the best way to
meet the scandal, objected, and said the true
way was to strike it down. Adjourned.
Bcecher Denies the New York Herald stO-
ries.
NEW YORK. June 14-Beecher told report
er to-day he was entirely ignorant of such
things as were related in the New York Her
add They never occurred in his experience at
all, and in so far as the article referred to him,
it was already denied by his oath aud was Who'll
ly untrue.
More about the Prussic Acid Story.
The present propretors of the drug store
where Beecher is said to have purchased the
poison, say the story is highly improbable and
don't believe druggist in the world would sell
prussic acid to any person without prescrlp-
ton from a reliable physician.
A despatch from Whitestone, l.. l., says that
Mr. Legs, the druggist, don't now believe Mr..
Beecher made an explanation why he wanted
the acid, or that he made any inquiry what
effect it would have. He did not think it
strange a clergyman should want an ounce OF
deadly poison.
The page on the ledger is all in one hand
writing, very fresh and clear looking. and
along with the sale of the acid there are fifteen
other articles entered, showing that it was pur-
chased among other things wanted for family
use.
Titon's lawyers have decided to take no &C.
ton concerning the new evidence