New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-02
MIR. BOWEN VS.. MR.. BEECHER.
LETTER FROM EX-DISTRICT-ATTORNE
WINSIlOW


DALOUs STORIES,
TO tke Edtt0r OF rae Tribune.
, SIR: The Rev. Dr. Bacon's views of the situation
IN ro Beecher Scandal, and especially what he says
Of Mr.. Bowens position in relation thereto In his
letter TO The TRIBUNE Of July 2S suggests state
mont Of some facts which have not, far az have
observed, been referred to in connected way, AZ
illustrative of Slr. I'owen's real position. DIR.
Bacon to whom refer with great respect, speaks Of
other charges and says in effect, If that mem-
Der Of Plymouth Church still insists, even by nod
and wink or by expressive silence that bis ale
cations rehearsed and withdrawn in the TnpaI tito
Agreement arc nevertheless true, then il is for him
to prove what he cannot deny that no has said. or
else stand before his Church and the world pre-
sumptivcly the originator Of the great scandal Of
which Ti.ton the promulgator."
1t has boon said that one of the scandals referred
to in the alleged letter of Mr. Bowen TO Mr.. Tilton
and which became the subject of tho Tripartte
rangement, was the same which made tho basis
Of libel suit in the United States Court, in Brook
lyn in the of Proctor against Mouton, and dis
posed Of to tho entire honor Of the plaintiff before
Judge Woodruff. II will be remembered that when
that case was brought to hearing, in December
last it was abandoned by the defendant as utterly
untcnabie and under penalty of heavy costs. IL
reasonable to suppose that if tho defendant or his
coacjutors had any ground for believing TINT any
thing derogatory TO Mr. leecher could be proved by
Mr. Bowen upon the issue in that case. the expert
ment would have been tried. Mr. Bowen was within
the jurisdiction of the Court and could easily have
been called as witness. In connection with this,
il is proper to state that when it became my oicial
duty rs District Attorney Ia Brooklyn to examine
this libel upon a criminal complaint preferred by
the injured party, | took some pains to learn the
attitude of Mr.. Bowen in the matter Among other
things il was ascertained from the complaining
witness that when she first heard her name nien-
toned in connection with scaadlOu3 reports, AMI OF
Mr. Bowen AZ the author of them, she Immediately
vent to Mr. Bowen and demanded TO know whether
lac was responsible for tho wrong done her 10y such
ieporti. Mr.. Bowen replied that he was not and
that he had never done or sad anything Whatever
TO ia fifty such story. so much for DR. Bowens
position in reference to this particular scandal re-
fcrrod to, perhaps by DT. Bacon under tho head OI
"0thcr charges"
Another the scandals once in vigorous circulation.
affecting Mr. Bcecher was to the eff ct that the late
Nr, Bowen mace a confession on her dcath-led, i'm
pli.atng herself with Mr. Beechcr. his scandal had
An attentive nursing for long time, and bDalIy ap-
poartI in The B,Ooktgn Aygrs in September last lts
publication led to the indictment of the proprietor
of Tho AiDUs for lib, upon the complaint OF Dir.
Bowen and his s0ls. Ii became my Official duty 10
prosecute tho indictment, which was tried IN No
yernb,r last in brooklyn. 1t soon became evident
that the proprietor Of The Ar0u could not and
ought not be held ciiminally responsible fer tho
libel for the reason that lis publication was n0s
authorized or intended by him. and that when no
learned it in type, Immediately ordered its sup
preston. This fact relieved the proprietor Of crim
NAL or malicious intent design under wellsettied
rules of law In the course of the trial, Mr. Bowen
f,llt tnaJ ho mart
the prosecution have stenographic Copy of their
testimony and find that they one and all denied. IN
the most emphatic manner the alleged doath-bed
confession of the late Mrs. Bowen and denied that
there was ever any fact circumstance in the Tela-
tons of Mr. Beccher with the lady referred to
which justified or could suggest such m0nsfrous
story. Dir. Bowen when asked If no had ever said
or nsinuatcd, at any time, anything derogatory to
Mr. Beccer in reference TO his late wife, replied that
he had not. The malicious falsty of the LIBEL was
clearly established and conceded. but tho defendant
was not held for the reason above stated. so much
for Nr. BOwens position in reference to the scandal
relating to his late wife and Dir. Beecher.
What the " other charges" are if any, referred to
by Dr. Bacon, the public IL not informed. Ii there
ever were any "other charges" or insnustions mado
by Mr. Bowen, the question arises how far are they
disposed Of by Mr.. Bowen himself In his words OF
disayowal and reconciliation with slr Beech3rt In
the "rripartitc" document. Mr. Bowen. referring to
tales and innuendoes' affecting Horny Ward
Bcechcr, says:
Idi.avow oil the charges and imputatons TINT have
Henry Ward 3eech,r. and declare fully und WITHOUT re-
sere that know nothing which should prevent mo from
extending the most cordial friendship coniidenoey
and Christian fellowship And expressly withdiaw ai'
in been made an Ut cred by and set forth rIteE
Written by Theodore titOn on tie LIST OF January
1871 "a copy Of which Is xed. and sincerely
GREET
docs unfuyoIable 10 tue Christian character VI or.
BetCLer
These arc plain words. and hardly justify, upon
any theory of common honesty. DR.. Bacons intma-
ton that they may not mean disayowal OF the
truth of the charges. When Mr. Bowon declares,
"t.llg and ,rithout rcsere" that he knows nothing
that should prevent him from extending to Alr
Bcecher his "most cordial friendship confidence.
and Christian fellowship" We have clear right to
,ay that he here ayOws his belief in the integrity OF
Nr BeecheF. To say that when he Used these words
he knew or believed Mr. Boecher To be guilty man.
i, but saying by indirection that Bowen was then
and there as dishonest man rs this whole scandal
has yet brought to public view. So far ~ the two
scandals 10 which have referred are concerned, ana
with which Mr. Bowen has Loen identified a stated.
il would seem that his position is thar of absolute
denial of both of them, and further that he uevef
believed either and never said he did. As to any
other imputations which may be included in :" other
chargcsr hc declares his regrets. etc. stated in
tho "Tripartite' paper. As to these two scandals,
then, it is not apparent what moro Dir. Bowen can
do to disconnSt his name from them unless it be to
repeat his deliberate and solemn disavowals, sone
Of which have already been made under oath. Such
repetition might clear the way and he rcassuring
in public estimation. Ii So let Mr.. Bowen reiterato
and include next time each and every matter and
thing that may be supposed to bo included in what