Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-04-19

Again the Beecher-Tilton scandal
is revived, With doubly dcmoralizing
effect. This scandal has already az
fecled the reputation and usefulness
OF the greatest pulpit orator in the
coantry-Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
We had hoped, in common with the
better class of this and every other
community, that this shameful scandal
had been buried too deep 20 be re-
vived, save in the vile imaginings of
the polluted. But, like Banquo's
Ghost, it will not stay down. The
alleged confession of Mrs. Tilton,
which we publish below, will not set
tie the question satisfactorily in the
minds of the thinking public. The
query viii inevitably, and naturally
cnough he suggested Can person
WHO has already told several stories,
widely varying and directly opposite
in character, about the same subject
be regarded as a competent witness?
If she was coerced, as she says, into
falsely accusing Mr.. Beecher once,
what guaranty is there that Der latest
accusations are not the result of the
esame evil spirit? On the Other hand,
the statement that Mrs. Tilton, suf-
tering for lack OF funds, laying her
troubles at Mr.. Beecher's door and re-
ceivlng no aid from him, stung by
the taunts that she was an unfit person
to teach the children Of those who
were once her associates, has induced
her to make 4 clean breast of it. will
be considered proof by many that she
is now telling the truth. The follow
ing is Mrs. Tllton's letter OF confess
sion, and also Mr.. Beecher's denial:-
"Mr. Ira 3. Wheeler: My dear Sir
A few weeks since, after long months
of mental anguish, | told, as you
know, q few friends whom | had bit
ttrly deceived that the charge by my
husband OF adultery between myself
and the Rev. Henry Ward Beechel
was true, aud that the lie had lived
50 well the last four years had become
intOlcraOle to me. TINT statement
now solennly reatIirm, and leave the
truth with God, TO whom also | com-
init myself, my children and who must
suffer. | know full we'll the cxpana-
tons that will be sought by many fol
this acknowledgement, desire to re.
turn to my husband, insanity, malice
everything save the true and only one
my quickencd conscience aud the
sense Of what is due to the cause Of
truth ard Justice. During all The
complications OF these years you have
been my confidential friend, and there
fore, | address this letter to you, au.
thorizjng and requesting you to Sc
cure its publication.
(Signed) ELIZABETH r. TILToN.
Brooklyn, April IL, 1873.
WHAT THE QUIDNUNcs SAY.
New York, Apri! 10. Frank B
Carpenter, the artist, tonight ex
pressed his heliefin the Genuinenes
of Mrs, Iilton's letter, and said tina
r Mr.. Wheeler, to whom it is addressed
has for years been her legal advise
and confidential friend. Mrs. Car
penter added TO the remark of he
husband that she was glad that tn
poor woman had told the truth u
, last.
Messrs. Sherman, Morris, Pryo
and Judge Porter, of the counsel il
the "Scandal case" declined to Civ
, any information.
TILToN's WHEREABOUTS.
Mr.. Tilton is on lecturing tour a
the West. lie has been living som
time in Second avenue, New York
but gave up his apartments, by pre-
arrangement, on Saturday last.
BEEcHER's DENIAL.
Mr.. Bcechcr iecturel at Waverly
n. Y. this evening. Tnc Tribune tele
graphed him copf of Mrs, Tilton'
letter, and received the following il
a reply: ...... =
Eaver,y, N. Y, April Is. 1878
To Editor Of New York Tribune -
confront Mrs. Tilton's confession wit
:, explicit and absolute denial. I'll
: testimony to her own innocence an
y to mine, which for four years she ha
. made to hundreds, in private. an
, public, before the Court, in writin
= ard orally, l declare to be true; am
q the allegations now made in contra
dict;on of her uniform solemn and un
4 varying statements hitherto made
a utterly deny. l declare her to be ir
= nocent of the great transgression.
v (Signed) HENRY WARD BEEcHER.
J. New York, April 12.-Wm. Nj