New-York tribune., 1875-07-12
TIE BEECHER-T VERDICT.
MRS. TILTONs ALLEGED CONFESSIONS.

MRS. TILTON'S ALLEGED CONFESSIONS.
A CONFESSION NOT ABSOLUTE PROOF OF GUILT
THE CASE OF LADY BELvIDERE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Irrespectively of the vicious portion of
the community the dregs of society," that believe in
Mr. Beechers guilt because happens to suit their views
of human nature, there doubt you will readily
admit many respectable people who also believe him
guilty am frequently met with the assertion, by some
OF these happen to meet that 1t simply impossi
bic suppose that any vfrtuous woman couu' unoer
any circumstances be forced by any power on earth 70
say she was guilty Of adultery II she was guiltess and
of course these parties claim that the document
destroyed by plaintiff his mutual friend was an ac-
acknowledgement Of adultery, and not false statement
forced from Mrs. Tilton by her husband that Henry
Ward Beecher had made improper proposals to her.
There is think, IN point which shall refer 70 as
briefly possible.
Robert Rochfort subsequently first Earl of Belvidcr,
when he was % years old widOwer and childlcss mar
ricd the Honorable Mary Moesworth, girl 16 years OF
age. Her disposition was quiet and gentle she exhib-
tied no inclination to cvy but was domestic In her
tastes and habits and Of rather thoughtful and con-
templatve mind. From early period after marriage,
this lady found her husband cold and negcctful He
was surrounded by nattercrs. come OF whom from
selfish motives had been originally opposed to
his entering the married stale at all one was was
been her dcadrst and Ia whom is said the Countess
owed all her misfortuncs This artul and unprinciped
affection the Earl and naturally dreaded the influence
OF the youthful and vrtuous wife The Earl was great
favonte Of George H. and spent much OF his time at
les frequent and when they did take place. there was
se1ee anes SeS caused LAZY Bevce the res
and the unprincpled Of tese-the one who hal
been her celest foedd TIE Countess at once and
Justly attribute the suspicious looks and savage torres OF
her lord Just eight years after tbs ated union had
taken place. did the long threatening storm burst forth
and the lady charged with infdelty 10 her husband
She at first expressed surprise and Indignation but
aerw ards to the astOnisnent OF her friends Lazy be
vdcre, driven TO desperation, was induced though per
fec,ly Innocent TO make an acknoweaghcnI o yornc y
and thus Kidding belself OF husband, whom Il was now
impossible not to or any real alnhdelity she at aie
her deatii-bcd upwards OF 80 years after, with the
most solemn oath she made declaration .i M Mner
noseno SS Shcman after with who s U, nas s
accused OF being unaIthIui was niaIrIeu nun
beloved by his wife aud children, and represented
and most attached husband. Between him and his ami
able partner any feeling Of jealousy was unknown re
died protesting to the last his entire innocence OF inc
your space conld quote more IL gey ana give m S im
tercstng circumstances connected with this case suce
1t to say, that Lady Belvideres innocence was iuy
accepted by her children Those who may feel desrous
OF reading the full account OF the painful story VIII ana
it in Vol VI. OF Chambers's Edinburgh Journal New
Seriea 1915; pages 324 10 800.
Is not this case in point, wherein lady perfectly IN
nocent made an acknowledgment OF gut-and II the
Countess OF Bevidere why not poor Mrs Ttonf know
four times and from hearing him preach was satisnen
OF his innocence by his simple denial OF CUNT 40 not
mean to convey that II would be an utter mpossiiV
for Mr. Beecher TO sin, nor would he Deneve, say 50
himself; but feel confident that no man with the shiit
Of God In his (which believe Mr. Beecher to have)
would call upon the living God TO witness his innocence
Beech, says he is guilty I'll believe It, and not before
Nec York, July q, 1873. l.