New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-22

The Brooklyn Unonf" Positively no." Did Mr..
Beecher mention the name of Bessie Turner 7" No"
And so on with series OF questions which might be
supposed by person who had not heard Mr.. Beechers
testimony to be aimed at something that had preceded,
but every question rendering false issue upon the
T save one, AID that IL, where was the interview
Mr.. BOWEN PRESENTS MR.. TILTONS LETTER.
And there Bowen was material. 1t was at
Deacon Freelands house. Now gentlemen that would be
all very well, it, after a direct examination there
be no cr0ssexamination, but we find Mr. Bowen on his
cross-examinaton compelled, by my learned associate
TO admit that Mr. Beecher did, whether the interview
al the place the other-Mr. Beecher did tell him
of matters that 10 him, in respect to Theo
dOre Tton that Mr. Beecher did arragn him for private
immortality with women; that Mr. Beecher occupied half
hour in giving details which had now escaped his
recollection, and in regard to persons whom, as he
did not then know he did not remember.
So that upon the only point upon which his testimony
was material Henry Bowen, instead OF contradictng
the editor Of The Christian Union confirms him. ana
that confirmation is made still ger when come
to the report lie made that night on his return
10 his house, to his associate editor, in
which he recounted the transaction to Essles
on, Mr. Beecher Ave years aftcrvard recounts II to
you, and without comparison Of notes. There Is how
ever, in this connection matter that should not be
overlooked. Mr.. Bowen undertakes 20 contradict Mr.
tery mmateral for every purpose in this except
as a simple means Of ascerainins the truhfulness Of
witnesses and II strangely happens that Mr.. Beechcr
stands corroboraed in that regard, not only by
the affirmative evidence, but by the circumstantial
evidence, which 10 intelligent mind is more
satisfactory and conclusive even than affirmative evil
dence Where was that interview Take Tilton. What
had Bowen promised himl He would take that note
right up to Mr. Bcechers and present II Immediately
after the interview. What DO We fndl II was in
the afternoon that the promise made What more
1t in the afternoon that the promise was fulfilled
even Bowen being the witness. Why not % 10 Mr.
Beechers Bowen either meant TO be true TO IltOn or
10 be false 10 him In either case his road lay right
straight Columbia flights. II he meant to bctray him,
Frank MoultOn told him, the moment that he stated
that he this letter he went armed with that 1t
was TO secure an alliance with Beecher; and no grass
grew the feet Of Henry c. Bowen on that winter
day a. ne was rushing with this important message 10
cut the bond OF friendship between Beecher and Tton
and 10 form that bond OF friendship which
was TO he so valuable between Beecher and Bowen. II
his purpose was hostile Henry c. Bowen Is not the man
Who when he is in pursuit enemy, and has with
him weapon of death, seeks needless witnesses lie
went to the house Of Henry Ward Beecher intending
T.ton did TO stab him 10 the heart. He did not want
Deacon Freeland by, any OF his household He went
TO deliver simple letter, The delivery OF which would
Beecher was a guilty paraiyze him upon the IN
slant If Henry Ward Beecher had been guilty with
and that had been brought TO him by the hand
of Henry c. Bowen his btterest enemy, have you any
doubt what would have been the effect OF II BOwenhad
none GenuemCn when Bowen started on that message
he did not know what the truth was OF course
he did not suppose adultery, because Tilton
had not charged that; but ne charged that
guilt that was Just fatal TO minister OF the Gospel
he charged improper and dishon0rabe proposals by
clergyman q communicate in his own church Bowen
did not know whether il true or false when he went
10 the interview. When he gets there he hands Mr..
Beecher the letter; Mr.. Beecher opens it, reads it, and
thrists it into pocket Now observe Bowen had no
interest in the matter. How did it concern him He
has delivered the letter and the old dominic put II IN his
pocket He has end 10 gain he has no DOUBT ABOUT
disms sing this he told him on Monday lie was
going 20 dismiss him he doesn't want TO know anything
more of mischief against Theodore Tlton he has
heard enough already, and knows him 10
be a scoundrel and he is going to act upon II.
And vet Bowen tells you that after that letter was put IN
Mr. Ecechers pocket. he says 10 Mr.. Beecher: " What
obout that letter." That letter. Why, Tilton is
crazv" That settles the question with Bowen This is
one Of Ttons lies there is truth in it," II this man
were guilty such that would starte him and
bast his very evebas they read it but he is as COOL
az calm as indifferent if il bad been a message from
maniac in a and the only c6inmehtnry be has
10 make IS why. the IS crazy Well, why didn't
Bowen 60 away is Grand accomplished; he car
RED the letter he delivered it, and got his answer why
Somehow or other he stays, and somehow or other,
az ne admits he gets 10 talking about Theodore
Triton Somehow or other he does tell MI.
Reecber that since he dismissed him from the
edtorshp and has retained him only as contributor,
he keeps getting from all quarters admonons against
his retaining him even in connection with The brooklyn
To and the correspondence of The Independent what
tbeni Now he certainly got through with his Grand
Why doesn't he GOT He doesn't. He stays He thinks ne
d not ask any questions but he does remember there
was talk and what the talk he doesn't remember ex
cen, that the talk was by Mr. Beecher and about Theo
dare Ton and that that talk related TO Illtohs I'M
and that something said about those I'M
,,orsl,,ies in connection with person IN his own
house Now gentlemen. you have the account OF each'
which is most probable, Bowens version OF II or the yer
io ~ Mr. Beecher so far they derf II is true that
rowen WAS in the habit of having frequent meetings Win
Deacon Freeland on business; but we nnd wneh we
come IN call Deacon Frceland TO the stand that there
never WAS but one meeting Henry Ward Beecher
and Henry C. at his house. and that IN 'he pegh
ing Of the year OF which this was the end when Will
Won heleye Bowen, or Beecher and Freelandf Am
rich, shou, the circumstance Frank Moulton made
memorandum that afternoon at 3:45 p IN: " l. l. com
municated the fact that he had just sent 10 Henry
ward Beecher by Henry c. Bowen. demand
thar he quit the City OF brooklyn Bowen
- mistaken about his sending his son AT
,clock 10 make an appointment that afternoon with
Deacon Freeland for a meeting with Beeeher. Al 10
minutes before O'Clock Theodore Tilton got 10 FRANK
x.,,,.r,s and Frank MOultOn made this note, feeDg