New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-22
Mps MOrLTOy,s TESTIMONY.

MRS. MOULTON'S TESTIMONY.
There is but one other witness who te stiles
directly to the confessions OF Henry Ward Beecher and
the most important witness in this She has no
earthly ambitions crafty she has no greed to satisfy
She here from the quiet OF cultured and comfort
able home, lady in the trues Of the word lady
whom Henry Ward Beecher upon the stand and in his
letters has euogzed almost paragon, in her simple
and sincere sense OF duty and of truth and in those vir
tues OF hospitality which commemorate her history in
this And the question il whether she is TO be be-
eved whether she is to NEE, the universal condemnation
which friends upon the other side have extended to
every witness and every character who has appeared in
support the plaintiffs YOu will see by the allu
sion OF Tracy and the relations OF that household
but If you will rec distinctly you will see by the
| grevous charges which were made against this lady
| by Mr. Porter, how she has been exhibited 70 the
world. She is not only conspratress, she Is
not only pcrjurer but according to Mr.. Porter she
has surrendered her house resort not only
for the parties to the conspiracy but for those base and
infamous agents they say whom il has suited the pur
pose OF the constors to employ She is charged with
consorting with public prostitutes. Nay my friend Mr.
Porter could not spare that unmany blow against the
heart Of mother when lie charged her with exposing
her only to the influence Of such association 1t was
not enough to heap odum upon her character for truth
and personal chastity but the instincts Of maternal love
and -ocitude De outraged to crafty the purposes
Of this defense Gentlemen 1t is very serious question
which you are called upon to determine II is no com
mon responsibility which rests upon this jury when they
are called upon only to dis5eeye and defame 1ton
and Mouton the husband and the father but to include
| the mother in the infamy 1t may seem light and
| trin!ng-
Mr. Portcr-My friend IL entirely in il be thinks
that used either the ephets which he has applied to
Ms Mouon that spoke OF hcr either a periurer-a
word never used and certainly never connected with
her name-or that east any mpuation upon her chas-
| An. rar.r.
Judge NclsOn-I very happy TO hear the expana-
| ton. The counsel was mistaken
| Mr. Beach-No Str | am not mistaken. Laughter.
certainly dill not say intend to say that either OF
those epithets Of conspirator" or perurer," or
prostitute" was applied to Mrs MOalton. said no
! such thing.
Judge Nelson Certainly not.
! Nj. Porter-I understood y0u So
Judge Neilson-I want say this audience that we
must nave quiet aud happy word Is said by counsel
It is not AZ all initial that should be commended and
decent respect for the place aud the counsel and the
Jury who want to hear would indicate to persons tit TO
| be here that silence becomes them best
Mr. Beach, ain speaking, gentlemen, Of the effect OF
the argument and Of the defense in this case If Henry
Ward Reecher ia to be believed. and to be successful IN
this action Mrs NOultOn periurer. Mrf. Mouon l. o
conspiraor and il Mr.. BENJAMIN +. Tracy is TO be
credited 10 her belongs those other disgracefu appel
tons and associations which have directed your at
| friends
Does not my friend Porter charge ihat Mrs MouOn Is
perlrer that she il not be believed Does not he
claim that she a co-cOnspraressi Do they admit the
truth Of her testimony Well may they shrink back from
that Have they not given evidence here to prove
through alib that her testimony was all false and Is
there any means by which Henry Ward Becchcr can be
justified but by the condemnation Of Mrs Moulton Most
clearly not gentlemen. That issue must be met.
These three witnesses, upon the single oath
| Of Henry Ward Beecher, must he condemned
| for perjury, or Henry Ward Beecher is guilty.
II is irreconclabe the conflict between these witnesses
They accord with the other evidence they harmonic
with the writings OF Henry Ward Beecher There is NOT
single point OF opposition inconsistency between any
| other portion OF this evidence, except Henry Ward
Beechers and the testimony OF these three witnesses.
But very charge brought In the outset against
Mrs MouOn originating in the first place with my friend
Mr. shearman lie states a matter OF accusation that
she did not once while she upon the stand LOOK into
the face OF Mr.. Evarts and Mr.. Evars little more
delicately puts it by charging her with being fur
tive in her manner
| Mr. Evarts-' Furtvey glancng"
| Mr. Beach-Well furtively glancng;" that is lii lie
more eloquent than mine. but still IL Is urive" Laugh
teri We'll. gentlemen If is not think, very surprising
that lady who never beorr appeared upon the witness
stand should be little embarrassed and dashed by being
placed upon pedestal To be eazed at by several hundred
people during several hours OF tedious examination
suppose had had the freedom and the
OF Bessie Turner 10 could have acted out with the
spirit OF that young lady all the phases OF her testimony
why she would have recommended herself as far
agreeable Mr. Evart and his learned associates and
To Plymouth Church and their gallant ushers. Laugh
ter She Is not precisely Of that character SIZE is
accustomed these public appearances She has not
that dramatic instinct which belongs IN unison 70 Bessie
Turner aud Mr. Henry Ward Beecher AMI OF his dis
tingushed friends She delivered her evidence with pro
prety with modcSty and with reserve and yet with the
clearness and candor OF an intelligent lady, speaking
from clear memory But there may be, possibly. some
other solution to this difficulty II is barely possible that
Mrs Moulton nothing particularly attractive in the
appearance OF my friend Mr.. Eyarts. lLaughter.i
Judge Neson-Mr. Beach, sympathze with you. but
don't see how you This audience seems de
termined TO interrupt you and If you happy thing.
II be drowned In the noise 1t is hardly worth while
10 proceed.
Mr. Blackwell, Sir think will get along without
difficulty am sorry that anything should happen to
say Sir should excite any improperly in the COURTROOM
and your Honor that II Is no particular pleasure
| to me
| Judge Nelson-No, IL Is no pleasure 70 you
Mr. Beach lcontinungl-to excite such demonstrations
| Judge Neilson-Ani you ought 10 b. free from any
| restraint in any way. Mr.. Rogers. II you dis
| cover who II is who interrupts the proceedings.
Mr. Beach-But II Mrs. MoultOn could by possibility
have venured observe my learned friend when he
so stern and severe In his examination. am per
fecy certain II her eye had glanced beyond him and
seen the phalanx OF Plymouth Church, all arrayed and
before her. she would down her eyes
very certainly II very troublesome for any one to
face the apparent condemnation aud the frowning hos
tity Of the various interests which appeared az once
before them when they vcntured 10 look abroad aud
vas tolerably Discreet thak aud sensibe exhibition