Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-15
THE BEECHER TRIAL-ADDRESS OF
MR.. BEACH.

IL :09 Mr.. Beach arose and resumed his argu-
ment. He said that much time had been expend-
ed on the other side On the theory that Moulton
had been guilty of dishonorable conduct in not
burning the papers. Mr. Beach showed that
neither Mr.. Storrs, nor any other witness Of the
defense, pretended that the proposed burning of
the papers had anything to do with the arbtra-
ton, an assumption upon which the defense had
based their argument. The speaker also argued
that Moulton had never been asked to burn the
papers in the light of an obligation, and it, in the
exuberance of his good nature after the tripartte
covenant, he had promised to burn the papers,
and upon reflections there being no obligation
upon him, he had changed his mind, there was
nothing dshonorable in that. Mr.. Beach did not
think he was called upon to enter into any defense
of Henry c. Bowen. Bowen had acted an un-
friendly part, to say the least, to Mr.. Tilton.
Bowen knew things about Beecher which, in his
Judgment would drive the latter out of Brooklyn
in twelve hours. He told Tilton that he would
support his insolent letter to Beecher. Why did
the defense not ask Bowen his reasons for betray-
ing Tton and going back on his word
1t would have been astonishing had Tilton
treated Beechcr as Beecher says he did at the in
terview of Dec. 80, if, the counsel for the de-
Tense claimed, he had been fresh from COMES
sion of adultery at the lips of his wife. Counsel
forgot that the confession had been made in the
previous July, and that Tilton was bound to
secrecy by promise made to the wife he adOred
In addition to this Mr.. Beach argued that Mr.
Becchers version of that interview was unnatural
ly coored and read Tiltons account of it to show
that it bore the stamp of probability. Why did
the defense not take advantage Of Bowen's APP
pearance on the stand to overthrow all the allega
lions OF previous adulteries narrated as having
come from Bowen in Tiltons version Of that in
terview? They must be accepted as true if they
were not contradicted when they could have been.
The interview of Dec. 80 was rendered necessary
by what Mrs. Tilton, in her judgment, believed to
be an error of her husband in regard to her do
nestle affairs.
Mr.. Beach then read letter of Mrs Tiltop,
dated Jan. 26, 1867, in which she ca: nestly ex-
presses her desire fol reconciliation between
Beecher and her husband; and another, written
in 1866, which speaks of her confidence having
been shaken in Mr.. Beecher during the previous
years.
1t was a grand thing, Mr.. Beach said, to send
such a letter as that of Dec. 26, 1870, to man
occupying Beecher's position and surrounded by
those 5000 redeemed souls; but had not Tilton
said l will forgive this man who has put this IN
Jury upon me will stay my hand against him
was that not grand Yet it is considered by the
other side as fit for q witticism and a jest.
On entering after recess, Mr.. Beach was again
applauded. He was accompanied by one OF his
sons, who sat beside him. Neither Mr.. Beccher
nor Mr. Evarts returned on the resumption of
court Mr. Beach resumed his speech after re-
cess. He first disposed of a number of Mr..
Evart's criticisms on Mr.. Tilton's language in
namating the conversation of the interview of
Dec 80, 1870. In reply to Mr.. Evarts statement
that such pleas had never been addressed to wo-
men as are attributed to Beecher in reference to
Mrs. Titon, Mr. Beach read from Sir Walter
SCOTS Woodstock the story Of Master Tomkins
and Phoebe, in which the same arguments were
used. The man who reads Dumas, he added,
has not neglected Scott. Mr.. Beach granted that
Mrs. Titon's confession was no evidence against
Mr. Beecher. 1t was only when il was detailed to
Mr. Beeceer and he qualed under it that it began
to have significance and force. The defense as
sumed that the paper of accusation was Mrs. Til
toms confession. 1t was not that that was de-
tailed to Mr.. Beecher, but the confession that was
made six months before. 1t made no difference
whether the writing of the Doth was obtained by
opportunities and force, though the circumstances
render that improbable. What did Tilton want of
| a confession them He was throwing OFF his ar
NOR at his wifes instance. For her sake he was
telling Beecher that he wanted to withdraw his
charge against the latter. Mr.. Beach bitterly de-
nounced the course of the other side in backen-
| ing Tiltons character. Tilton, he sad will not
recover for years from these unjust and unde-
served calumnies. Mr.. Beach then, probably by
way of contrast, paid long and glowing tribute
to Beecher's conduct in England during the war.
Mr. Evaits had actually used as an argument why
| Beecher should be found innocent, that England
| would laugh at America if he was not. Counsel
made mistake If they thought the speaker mis-
trusted this jury, though he knew full well the in
ruences that had been brought to bear upon them