The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-14

ttst tortn from MS einlucnt posltiou, ana MS
afiairs at home did not promise that SYM
us mine has been, in times OF adversely a
refuge from the storm and tower OF de-
Tense.
MRS. TIIToN's INcRIMiNATINa STATEMENT.
ut now appears that on the 2yth OF De-
cember 1870, Mr.. Tilton, having learned
that had replied to his threatening letter
by expressing such an opinion of him as TO
set Mr.. Bowen finally against him and bring
him face TO face with immediate ruin. ex-
torted from his wife, then suffering under q
severe illness, document discriminating
me, and prepared an elaborate attack upon
me.
In my then morbid condition Of mind I
thought that this charge, although entirely
untrue, might result in great disaster, II not
absolute ruin. Tho great interests which
were entirely dependent on me, the church
which had built up. the book which was
writing. my own immediate family, my
brothers name, now engaged In the minis
try, my sisters, the name which had hoped
might live after me aud be in some slight
degree a source Of strength and encourage
ment to those who should succeed me, and
above oil, the cause for which had devoted
my life seemed imperilled. II seemed 10
me that my life work was TO end abruptly
and In disaster. My earnest desire to avoid
a public accusation, and the evils which
must necessarily flow from e. and which
now have resulted from IL, has been one OF
the leading motives that must explain my
action during these four years with refer
encc to this matter.
MoULToN AS A PEAcRMAKRR.
ut was in such sore and distressing con-
dition that Mr.. Moulton found me. His
manner was kind and conciliatory; he SEEM
ed, however. 10 be convinced that had
been seeking Tilton's downfall, that had
leagued with Mr.. Bowen against him, and
that had by my advice come near destroy
ing his family. | did not need any argu.
ments or persuasion TO induce mcto DO and
say anything which would remedy the in
jury OF which l then believed had GER
tainly been the occasion II not the active
cause But Mr.. Moulton urged that, having
wronged 80, the wrong meant his means OF
support taken away, his reputation gone,
his family destroyed, and that l had done
II. lie assured me of his own knowledge
that the stories which ] had heard against
Mr. Tilton, and which l had believed and
repeated TO Mr. Bowen, were all false. was
persuaded into the belief OF what he had
said, and felt convicted Of slander in its
meancst form. He drew the picture OF Mr..
Tilton wronged In reputation, In position;
wronged In purse shattered In his family,
where he would otherwise have found u
refuge, and at the same time looking upon
me out OF his deep distress. while was
abounding In friends, most popular, and
with ample mcans-he drew that picture.
my prosperity ovcrflowing aud abounding
and 1ilton's utter degradation. | was most
intensely excited. Indeed, felt that my
mind was In danger OF giving way.
HITTER sELr-AccusATIoSs.
4 4. 4.
| forth my heart In the most unrcsiraincd
| grief aud bitterness OF sclf-accusation. telling
what my ideas were OF the obligation Of
| friendship and of the sacrcdncSs Of the
| household denying however, an intentional
wrong, saying that II had been tho cause,
however remotely, OF that which I then be-
held. never could forgive myself, and heap
ing all the blame on my own head Tho case,
as II then appeared TO my eyes. was strongly
against me. My old fellow worker had been
dispossessed Of his eminent place and In
nuence, and had counsclod Il. His family
had we'll nigh been broken up, and / had
advised II; his wifc had been long sick aud
broken In health and body, aud T. A. fully
believed II, had been the cause oi
all this wreck by continuing that blind heed
lessness and friendship which had bcgnilcd
her heart and had ronsed her husband into a
fury OF jealousy, although not caused by ans
ly defend myself Should I pour indigna-
ton upon this lady1 Should hold her ~
20 contempt n having thrust her affection.
upon me unsoughtg Should tread upon
the man aud his household In their great ad.
yersity2 Igayo vent 90 my feelings without
measure. | dlsclaimed with the greatest
carncstncss all intent 20 harm Theodore IN
home or his business end with incxplcablC
sorrow ] both blamed and defended Mrs.
Titon In one breath.
nK nKLiRvED TiIToS INNOCENT.
'Mr. Moulton aud Mr.. Tllton both stroy,
to obliteratc from my mind all belief In the
rumors that hai been circulated about Mr.
Tilton. There was much going on In Ill
cncing, explaining. arranging, etc. that
did not understand ~ well then as now. Hut
Of one thing | was then convinced, via: that
Mr.. rilion had never sirayed from the path
Of virtue.
"Mr. .Moulton lost no occasion of present
ing 20 me the kindcst view OF Mr.. Tilton'i
character and conduct. ON the other hand
he complained that Mrs. Tilton did no
trust her husband or him, aud did not asslsl
him In his effort 10 help Theodore. | knew
that she distrustcd Monlton and felt bitterly
hurt by the treatment Of her husband ! wa
urged 10 use my influence with her 60 in
spirc conhdcnte IN Moulton and 10 lead hc
20 take n kinder view Of Theodore Accord
ingly, az the instance of Mr.. MoultOn. on
February ~, 1871, wrote letter 10 her o
that date designed for the purpose u Eyinl
her confidence In Mr. Moulion.
PRKnoMrioSs oF APorIExY.
'In my letter 10 Mrs. Tiilon alluded t,
the fact that did not expect, when aav
her last, 10 be alive many days. That state
mont stands connected with a series o
symptoms which first experienced In is51
went through the Fremont campaign
speaking In the open air threo hours at I
time, three days In a week On renewing
my literary labors | iclt must have giyeI
way; very seriously thought was golnl
10 have apoplexy or paralysis, or something
Of the kind. On two or thrcc occasions
while preaching, should have fallen In thl
pulpit II | had not held on to the tablr
Very often came near failing In the street,
During The last fifteen years have gone Int
the pulpit I suppose 100 times, will
n very strong Impression that should no,t
come out OF u alive"
THE wooDnuLL CLIQUE.
During ihc whole of 1871 Mr.. Dcechcr wa
kept In a statc.of suspense and doubt. m
officers Of plymouth church sought 90 invei
tigntc Tilton'a religions vicws, but The pasio
assured them that he bad hopes Of his repent
: ance and restoration 10 the church.
meanwhile one wing of thc fcninic sn
fragc party, continued w. Bccchcr, "hs
got hold Of his story In distorted aud exal
gerated form, such as had never been Int
! mated 10 me BY Mr. Tilion or his friends.
dd not then suspect what now know, ihl
!. these alroci0usly false rnmors originate
with Mr. Tilton himself ! only saw IA
. evil growing instead of diminishing. an
2 perceived that while I was pledged 20 n
! lencc. aud therefore could not speak In m