Year: 1874

EXCLUSIVELY TO THE DAILY DISPATCH.


SAN Francisco, Aug. 29.-Plymouth
Church committee last night submitted
its report in the Beecher case in the
presence of over 5000 people. The re-
port reviews the testimony and gives
the names of the witnesses. The form
er is familiar history and the repcrtadds
nothing to it except the conclusion of
the committee. They denounce Tilton
and Moulton as conspirators, ,conspiring
to ruin Beecher. The committee says:
1t ID believed that no cases of adultery
on record can be produced where an in
jilred husband, upon learning of his
wife's infidelity kept the fact to himself
for six months, and then, after private
complaint to the offending party, ,receiv-
ed and accepted an apology for the Of
fense and declared his forgiveness; and
this followed by restoration of the
courtesies of friendship.


The committee also argued that Moul-
ton had in his mind no other offense
than improper overtures by Beecber
and did not believe or understand that
it was adultery. They quote the ex-
preston in his letter to Beecher: "You
can stand it if the whole case were pub
lished tomorrow" and deride the idea
that he could write thus, kL o wing Beech
er was an adulterer, und conclude this
branch of the case by branding this
perfor nance as fraud, which ought to
end all controversy to the guilt or inno-
cence of Beecher. They 60 on to speak
of Moulton's connection with the affair
in the character of mutual friend, and
aamit that he obtained a strong hold
upon Beecher's mind by his plausible
manner and his apparently sincere de-
sire 10 serve him.


Beecher knew that the accusation,
though false, would. if it became public,
cause great scandal, and having an inn
mense deal of labor on his hands. en-
trusted to Moulton the task of keeping
this false accusation from the public.
The strong language and tenor Of some
of Beecher's letters to Moulton in refer
ence to the matter are freely admit
ted by the committee, but they say 1t
must be remembered that using strong
words and emotional expressions are
characteristic of Beecher. W a1


The Committee here advert to the
possibility that Mrs. Tilton had come to
regard Beecher with such affection as.
under the circumstances,t tended to alien
late her from her husband, and a fear
that this was so, as was alleged by
both Moulton and Tilton, may have
added to Beecher's responsibilities.


The committee express regret at two
errors into which Beecher fell. One


was that in his troubles he did not Seek
counsel from the Christian men of his
own brotherhood, rather than rely upon
the counsel of man of whom he knew
SO little, and whose character. as the se-
quel proves, he so sadly misjudged. The
other was that he did not guard more
closely his relations with the family of
Tilton that there could be no possibility
for fear in his own mind Of an indiscre-
ton by Mrs. Tilton for him. through
any thoughtless friendship or agency Of
his.


"we find nothing in the evidence that
should impair the free confidence Of
Plymouth Church or the world in the
Christian character and integrity of
Henry Ward Beecher. And now let the
peace of God, which passeth all under
standing, rest and abide with Plymouth
Church and eminent pastor, so much
and SO long afflicted" The committee
then take up the question as to the har-
mony and happiness which Tilton alleg-
es ruled in his home until this trouble
came upon him, and show by the testi-
mony of Mrs. Tilton and Miss Turner
that the exact reverse was the case and
that Tilton was constantly guilty OF
great cruelty to his wife.


The Committee then quote from legal
to show the nature OF tie
evidence necessary to prove charge of
adultery, and show that not particle
of evidence such as the law requires
has been produced by the acuser of Mr..
Beecher, and that no suspicious circum-
stances ever were proved. The Com
mittee compare the life and character of
the accuser and accused, and conclude
from the evidence that Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher did not commit adultery
with Mrs. Tilton, neither at the time or
times, or place or places set forth in the
third and forth subdivisions of Mr. Til
toms statements, or at any time or place.
Furthermore, we find from the evidence
that Mr.. Beecher has never committed
an unchaste or improper act with Mrs.
Elizabeth Tilton, nor made any un-
chaste or improper remark, proffer or
solicitation to her of any kind or de-
scription whatever. In reference to