New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-03

and eve and at times TO actors DeinR prougnt '"
life by Ia descriptive phrase or an imitation OF
manner. The narrative did not differ materially
from that of his elaborate statement before
the Church Investigating Committee, although
IL was natural to suppose that the testi-
mony of Mr.. Moultou and OF Mr. I1lton
would refresh his memory and enable him
to elaborate his story still further. At the close of
the narrative of each incident Mr. Beechers atten-
ton was called to the testimony of Mr.. Iilton or
Mr. Moulton, and many facts and assertions to
by them were directly and positively contradicted
His denials of all assertions implying guilt on his
part as quoted by Mr.. Moulton or Mr.. Tlton, we're
particularly emphatic, and the usual No, SIR of
witness frequently varied by additional and
stronger forms of negation. For instance, when
Mr. Evarts asked: Ibid you say that your sexual
intercourse with Mrs. Tlton was natural expression
of your love for heri" Mr.. Beecher answered L" No,
Sir,"-and then, as though the full meaning of the
question had suddenly come upon him, he added,
with increased warmth and flushed face, " 1t is
impossible that could have ever used such lam
guage.' At another time he repeated like
question, half aloud, as though in sur
pnse Did I say that f-NO Sir; no,
SIR When asked if Mr.. Moulton had
accused him of criminal relations with Mrs. Titon,
he replied looking directly at Mr. Moulton, who sat
almost at his feet Moulton is not fool, Sir; he
is a sagacious man." Here Messrs. Beach, Fullerton,
and Morris interposed the customary, I" One mo-
ment! one moment Mr. Beecher," and the witness
added quietly, "Well, only meant that form
of negationn This ringing denial Of any accusation
or insinuation of criminality drew forth a second
round of applause from the gallery in spite of the
Judges warning, and some of its occupants were
punished for their enthusiasm with prompt election
by the officers.
The scene with Mr.. Bowen, which was first in the
order of time was described with great minuteness
1t occurred Dec. 90 1870 in Mr. Beechers present
residence and the conversation opened by the
delivery of Mr.. Tltons letter requiring Mr.. Beecher
to resign and leave Brooklyn. Mr.. Bowen, in deltv-
erg the letter. had taken pains to represent that he
was a voluntary messenger and ignorant of
the contents of the letter. Mr.. Beechers
first remark on reading it was: "This
is sheer insanity; this Is crazy"
Mr. Bowen on reading it was as indignant as Mr.
Beecher, and conversation followed, in which it
was revealed that both gentlemen had heard of
many matters discreditable to Mr.. TiltOn, and Mr.
Beecher emphatically declared to Mr. Bowen that
the retention of Mr. Tilton The Independent and
Union could not but be injurious to both journals
This according to Mr.. Beeeher's testimony and
the theory of the defense, was the first
and only ofense committed against Mr. Til
ton, and the injury to him professionally
which followed in his discharge by Mr.. Bowen a few
days later was the only injury which the plaintiff
received although Mr.. Beecher was led at the time
of signing the apology to imagine that there were
other grounds of complaint. Mr.. Evarts supple
mented this recital with only two questions the full
meaning of which was probably lost on the audi
ence They were intended to draw from the witness,
as they did the statement that the delivery of this
A.. .ln{@n OF Mr. In
seek an interview with either Mr. or Mrs. Tilton,
it would have been natural for a guilty man to do
under such extraordinary circumstances
The description of the scene with Mr.. Tilton at
Mr. Moulton's house next followed; and in the
recital Mr. Beecher with difficulty repressed bis
tendency to indulge in humorous description This
event took place the night of Dec. &c. 1870. Mr..
Moulton land not Mr.. Tilton, as asserted by the
plaintiff and his wtness locked the door and placed
the key in the drawer of the hatrack in the hall.
Mr. Tiltou had first of all recalled the letter sent by
Mr.. Bowen with the remark that " it was grand
thing to write that letter; it would have
been grander if / had not" lie then re-
cited his troubles with Mr.. Bowen, charged
Mr. Beecher with abettng IN his removal by Mr..
Bowen, then with having superseded him in his
family, with alternating the affections OF his wife.
with corruptng his wife teaching her deeetful-
ness, and finally, with having solicited her to i'm
moral relations. Mr. Tilton here declared that the
orig nal of the paper which he produced had been
destroyed for shame and for prides SAKE" and be
then deliberately tore up the copy that there
should never be line letter against the reputa
ton of his wife," Mr.. Tilton in his testimony swore
that the destruction of this copy mechanical
act in his excitement he had picked it to pieces
Mr. Beeeher also contradicted Mr. Tiltons statement
that the latter had first suggested that he should go
to Mrs. Tilton for verifcation of the accusation.
Accompanied by Mr.. Moulton. who had volun-
teered to 90 with him. Mr.. Beecher went at once to
Mr.. Tilton's residence The whole conversation with
Mrs. Tilton was admitted after objection by the
plaintiff and the scene was described with great
minuteness by Mr.. Beecher Mrs. TiltOn, after hear
ing Mr. BeecheTs story Of what her husband had
told him. had declared that she could not help it ;"
that she "had been wearied out with his impor-
tunities" and that she knew the charge was mot
trueD At his suggestion, but not at Mr.. Beechers
dictation she had taken pen and written the letter
of retraction and had of her own volition added
the postscrptlwhch is specific denial of the charge
of improper solicitation" Mr.. Evarts took up
the pamphlet edition Of THE TRIBUNEs report of
the trial and piled Mr. Beecher with questions to
assertions made by Mr. Moulton on the stand rela-
tive to the conversation on the way home on that
stormy night. The witness admitted that he might
have said, "This comes upon me as though struck
by lightning" and he might have used the express
sion This will kill me-" but nothing was then said
about the confession which Mr.. Tilton had read to
Mr.. Beecher on the evening Of Dec. 80. WAS any
thing said about sexual intercourse between your
self and Mrs. Titon 7" asked Mr. Evarts very slowly
and solemnly. "No. Sir no :" replied Mr. Beocher in
his most earnest tones turning around in his chair
and looking full at the jury as he made this en-
phatic denial of Mr.. Moulton's testimony.
Mr. Beecher then passed on to describe his inter
x;aw at his honae with Mr. Moulton ON Dec 81