The Portland daily press., 1875-04-08

was, at the head of the Independent. Inc
words 81 am willing to step down and out II
it will help him." mean that l undertook 10
clear him of every stain effecting his cnar-
acter, excepting those arising from MIS-.
Woodhulps association. l could not clear
his character on socialistic questions put IN
regard to Elizabeth and the household, II ne
wished that to be investigated l felt that IL
could not 90 into Plymouth church !; anu
sooner than that l would step down and OUT
and give them all up willingly to put back
things where they were before. This is not
logical statement, bat an outburst, like 81.
Pauls Il would were accursed; for. oreth-
rem would 1 had died for Absalom" (sensa-
tom.
Evarts here read the dragged edge" pass
ageand the witness said
They are feeble words. If there are any
stronger adopt them.
Evarts went on and read the passage about
the horror of darkness in which the writer
had lived.
Witness abruptly and with tears in his
eyes II did not do well to write that. Most
Of the time have been near to God, but l
am subject to times of dependency and
gloom, when day seems midnight. y, L
suffered the tortures of the damned for want
of fidelity to my friends.
In reply to further questions witness said one
reference in the letter was the policy OF ST.
lence, which they had all agreed on. Inc
expression "yea, if sorrow" refers to the ev
erlasting resurrection of this trouble. 1t
would never rest. 1t was again brought to the
surface by intruders, or restlessness within
1 had other cause of remorse and sorrow, Tar
more than what 1 have stated in reference
to my relations to Tilton's family. l
Gov md
unspeakable dread of imputation rest
ing on me. I was a minister, and
to have this brought out in
the way that mischief makers would get hold
of it, would give rise to explosions and en-
ouiries for which the Congrega-
tional church is more untitled than
any other; and for political and
theological reasons did not see how I could
get out of the most dangerous results, if
Bowen's charges were to be added to those OF
the injured husband, as he claimed backed
up by charge from her; and felt the fu-
ture trial of fiery ordeal. L mean the charge
of improper advances. There was no other
at the time, and that was enough to take it.
Many of the audience were deeply affected
while Beecher, with rapid and excited but
trembling utterance and fearful eyes, gave the
above explanation.
The witness was next asked about the in
terview with Moulton proceeding the wrltlu
of the last mentioned letter.
He said it was month of agitation. 1t
was chiefly about the reinstatement OF Iilton,
but also in reference to Bowen's difference
with Tilton.
Evarts here read the letter of Beecher to
Moulton, dated March 25, 1872. This letter
tells Moulton Beecher had sent to the store
for him. Mr.. Beecher said there never was
any portrait of Tilton that he (Beecher) had
He had been doing the work OF ten men, and
that he lived under cloud, and felt as II he
couldn't live longer. When Esau sold his
birthright he found no place for repentance
though he sought it with tears.
Witness explained that he had sought to
repair Tiltons family, and it never would be
repaired, and he thought it natural quota
ton for minister. "Cloud" did not mean
disrepute, but cloud in his own mind. The
expression of friendship to Moulton was sin
cere He thought him splendid fellow. Ii
is time, said the witness, that thought he
had given a new meaning to friendship, and
he added quickly, II think so STILL"
Mr.. Beecher next related how galley
proof of the Golden Age article containing
Bowen's letter and other matters, was shown
by Moulton, who was then in bed sick.
A recess was here taken, after which the
witness continued:
At the interview with Moulton, when the
Golden Age slip was introduced, he threw
the article carelessly over and said, "Set
what YOU think of that" l was so astound-
ed 1 said, "Good Heavens" He wanted tc
know what effect its publication would have
and 1 said to defeat everything you have been
trying to do. There was no argument, and
that was about all that passed between us.
had not seen Bowen's letter before. re-
member also expressed myself on that sub
ject as strongly as clergyman could dc
without swearing. Very emphatic obJurga-
tons. 1 never admitted, with or without
qualification, any of the charges contained in
it, nor any of them in any form, shape, or
degaee.
As to the tripartite agreement, witness
said,-I had something to do with it. AS to
Moulton, before knew what I was about,
Moulton asked me if it wouldn't be well to
exert myself to bring about a settlement be-
tween Tilton and Bowen, through my friends,
and agreed and mentioned Clafin ard Free
land as upright men and friends of the par
ties The next heard was that there had
been preliminary meeting, at which they
drew up articles which all were to sign
They brought me rough draft
and asked if I would sign it. said yes. 1t
was brought to me again with emendations
bv Bowen, and afterwards Tilton's changes,
and signed it. That is the history of my
connection with it. Personally I took no
further part in it. I was merely recipient
and obedient. 1t was managed wholly by
others, never saw the "tit-for-tat" Wood
hull article, but heard it spoken of. l heard
an allusion to-it by Tilton. but not under
that designation. He mentioned that the &C.
casion of his breaking with her was
the article-slips of which were
going around, containing the
names of respectable men and women, and
that he had gone down in great indignation
and broken his connection with her as glo-
riously as he formed it. He represented to nae
he had acted with great dignity. did say to
him I thought he had acted unwisely,
as she was sufficiently dangerous be-
fore, 1 didn't urge him to continue
the same service by retaining the acquaint-
ance; just the other way. He and Moulton
were always praising her and apologizing for
her. I say before God, 1 was not response
BILE in any way for Tilton's acquaintance with
her. It was surprise to me from the begin
ming.
In reference to the publication of the Wood
hull scandal in November, 1872, prior to its ap-
pearance had heard about it. My first deli
mite knowledge was visit to my house of a
tall, lank old gentleman who told me there was
an awful thing going to be published. (Witness
pronounced lawful IN way that set the au-
dience laughing.) Very likely told Tilton
about this, but don't recollect it.
Mr.. Beach objected to evidence Of converse
ton with lank, old gentleman.
Witness-I told MOulton about this call; de-
scribed the old gentleman, and said l saw what
was coming. He seemed distressed and sug-
gested that il was blackmail. and wanted to
know if there was any way to stop it. l said
the best way was to let it go on. The first L
knew of its publication was from Mckelway,
who came to me from the Eagle Office, assum-
ing had seen it. | had not seen it or heard
of it before 1 repaired with him to Mr.. Kin
sella, and we had a conference. was advised
of its general nature by McKelway.
Q-Now when did you first see or read the
article itself?
Al never have yet l went from the Eagle
flee to see Moulton. McKelway came with
me. We saw Moulton in his Office, and we had
considerable conversation behndsthe counting
desk L don't remember that MOulton told me
he had seen il. He considered ought to main
tain silence about it. and as McKelway's errand
was professional one told him SO. Many
parties came to my house voluntarily and gave
me advice about the matter. took part with
Moulton principally and with Tracy in decid
ing whether any answer should he maze. l
saw Moulton at his house next day. Tilton
was not in town. Moulton's counsel first and
last was that the matter ought to be treated
with contemptuous silence He seemed to have
no doubt from first to last Tracy was one of
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