The New York herald. [volume], April 13, 1875, Page 6, Image 6

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Owning of the Fifteenth W eek of
tlie Great Scandal Suit.
.??
BEECHER STILL DENYING.
Tile Interviews Described by Mrs.
Moulton Contradicted.
"NOTHKG OF THE USD HAPPENED."
The Defendant's Original
Statement Introduced,
HOW HE EXPLAINS.
The Supposed Transfer of Mrs.
Tilton's Affections.
"A good day's work," observed ex-Ju4ge Por
ter to Mr. Hill, alter tne day's proceedings ta the
Brooklyn trial ended yesterday. 'IHe Jud^s was
raooing lus glasses aud sinning bemgnantly as ho
inac:? the remark. "Yes, a good day's work, '
echoed 11H1, and he too smiled, not with tne calm
benevolence of expression that marked ice indue,
out with a savage ulcam of anticipatory triumph
in his eyes of witherlug scorn lor fUton aDdi-ul
lerton, Beach. .Morris. Moulton and the rest ot tne
"ungodly set" who seek to pull down Plymouth
snared m tne perscu of its pastor. Mr. Beecner
stood iike a god in the midst of his admirers. Uis
winded cloak was ou his shoulders, nis massive
lace was resplendent with the hues of health, and
the manly vigor ol his leaturea, the beaming soul
that shone in his eyes, made him apparently i
<q object of reverent love and admiration.
tits friends, male and female, were all about liim,
congratulating cach otner ou what the day had
>rought forth. The defendant's lawyers were Jo
rlal and chatty. The defendant's nearest relations
irerc decorously merry, and as the whole gather
og?jiastor, parishioners, relatives, admirer.^ and
ill?swept out the court room it was possible to
majrtne a love feast had been going on, and none
nut blithe, happy hearts were of the party. Mr.
Beecher was
UNCOMMONLY BRIGHT
ind even heroic In his acting yesterday. So man
>i ordinary resources couid put on so brave an ex
terior, standing in such a light as he does?a light
wincu Tennyson uescrlbei as "the fierce light
whicn beats upon a throne and blackens evary
blot." II guilty this exterior is a marvel of dls- j
gnlse; if inuocent it is the pericctlon of faith in
truth, in humanity and in the lustier of God.
A dull cold spring day threatening rain began
'he week's proceedings. The court room was
neither close nor crowded. The great throngs of
;astw?ek were absent, and the corridors were
iree and breezy. The Judge, Jurors, lawyers and
principals were promptly at their posts, and the
9a.*e moved along through the flay with unusual
smoothness.
A NEGATIVE DAY.
Mr. Beecner began and ended the day with stout
ind earnest denials. Bis manner showed im
provement. lie Is evidently not a man who despises
rritlclsm or thinks himself above it. There was
ar less effort at effect ana tne gash of tearfal
motion was manfully II not wisely restrained.
The event of the day was the production and
reading of a statement ltom Mr. Beecher which
never before saw the light ol publication, it
iraa said to nave been suppressed, as it con
tained a confession of Beecher's guilt. It
ir as addressed to the committee of Fly
south cburcn, and declared substantially that
te kept silent lor four years in order that he
night save a household from ruin; that his perse
tutors had at length driven him to take the only
:ourse he could in honor and consistency take, and
mat be should make a clear, candid statement of
HI he knew to his church. Unconscious ol having
msied the affections of a woman, a member of his
longregatton wrom he had knowu from childhood,
snd whose religious tram.ng he had watched over
with the solicitude of a father, he found himself, to
tus intense agony and astonishment, chatgea with
Having a.ienated the love and duty of thla woman
(Turn her hatband and of having broken up her
Household.
The document was in effect the present plea pat
torward by the witness la his evidence. It was
said by Mr. Beecner tuat this was the same paper
ee mentioned to Mr. Redpstu as the one be in
tended laying before the committee. It was well
wuraed. sententious and not tco long, and in the
reading it lost nothing by the effective elocution
oi Mr. Evarts. This document must Dave a great
weight IX lie antheuticity is proved beyond quee
tiou.
BEACH AMD BEECHER.
Ur. Beach, as he passed Mr. Beecher on enter
ing the court, was tainted and spoken to by the
latter. A conversation of a few mlnates followed,
Mr. Beecher inquiring with an anxious look after
the health of the coousjI, who appealed to be a
tnfle feeble In the body, though witn a healthy
glow of color la the face. Mr. Beecher looked un
won'ediv cool and pleaeant and chatted away
gayly with his counsel. Mr. Hill.
Mrs. Beecner and her sister Mrs. Lott sat on
either elUe of Mrs. Scovilie. the daugoter or Mr.
Beecner, who resembles him bo much in face,
form and complexion as to involuntarily suggest
the great preacher himself, feome dozen ladles
were in the usual seats devoted to the accommo
oatton of the fair sex. The female applicants tor
admission were lees numerous and perslatest
taan last week.
To toe old hands attending the tnal it was a
peasant sight to see several
pretty and fashionable girls,
with blonde hatr and pesch tinted cneeks, inno
sem 01 rouge, wrinkles, laiae curls and tree love
fiancee. The weary masculine eyes have been
ong seeking 1b the rank* of the female visitors
.or some sach apparition, something of beauty
and color to cheer the drooping eye and stir the
torpid fancy, and to their great joy this blessing
was yesterday accidentally vouchsafed. Mrs.
Tiiton comss no longer. It is two weekB
a.?w since the little woman, with the red
suawi, snd the mysterious charms that ordinary
eyes could never discover ceased to lend her
presence to the proceedings. To be the observed
of ail observers might, onder other d ten instances,
Bave captivated the woman's neart, cat the noilow
mockery of sach tame as thi* unhappy drama
?nogB, surcharged as it is with so mucn of heart
sad soul consuming misery, meet make her recoil
from seeking notoriety.
MOCLTON, MORRIS AND TILTON.
After tne jnry rotl was cai.ed Tiiton came into
sourt. He end Moulton and Morns sat In a close
gr >np together. Tiiton and Moulton were pale.
The latter ioked with Morris prior to the opening
of the proceedings. TUton was serious and silent.
Both men rivetted their gaze on Beecuer after he
took tne stand, whicn he did with a breezy, con
fident atr, carrying in his left hand a bancu of
ma violets. Bib voice broke out m the
0 st reply of the dav clear, Arm and ringing. Be
allied along fluently frr some ten minutes, men
tiooed the publication of tne Bacon letter and the
occurrence 01 at interview of some length be
tween the witness and Moalton regarding it
? aiter the end came," said tne witness, and this
Beetuod to dispose of one branch of tue examine*
now rai leadoto people looe.
Vu erron c?ntinu<?s 10 ta e copious notes.
fte?;!i reclines in his c&alr witn bis overcoat on,
he .vv aud wuesy about* the eye*. Judge Morris ib
tii>* nrigutes' fa e on the plainufTs siue. Be never
ar!.$r his net.! SWI.EB auMi with a lively an
tuibg motion all toe ^vcioogdayj Pr>ors re?
i*?e. tftg JiiJT ?ad wonder ol tae ?#?
porters, ts absent. Hill, Tracy, Shearman ana
Kirter seera to have pu?sed into oblivion,
an *v?* nriiler hear nor r?nraly see tn<in any more.
Jtti'ge N'-iUou alone turive*. Ii3 is filling out ami
11.tten? tiir. Hi# eye, ditching ti?e mellow aim
cheertul lutt?te>ice of sprin,". frightens. V nniie
of jua.ciai beuevoience plays "wceilv around bis
lips. li<- ?az?H on ili? witness witfc a delicately
balanced expression of pitv. surprise and adml
ru11o;i. ? lerk VlaUtbon, reflecting the improved
spirit of trie Court, is growing younger dsy by
oay, tu~ voice deepens iu melody aud sonorous
ness. The loreinau of tue twelve good men itnu
irne, Mr. Carneuter. shows uo tailing "T in Ms at
tenuoti to the case. He looks alternately at
counsel auu witness with an eager, wi*UUl icaae,
like au earnest seeker alter truth, baffled
irotn day to day, yet ever hopetul of llnding the
hidden treasure.
THK EVII'KNCB.
Q. As to the frequency ol your visits to .Jrs.
Moulton's house, were your vuits rare or fre
quent? A. At tunes 1 visited every aa.v; at times
enly once a week or ouee a lortnigat: sometimes
uot for a moutn, or two or three; during my va
cations there uiltrnt bo an interval oi four mouths,
a, on the occasions wyien you nad those con*
Terences? A. Ves, lor about three and a half
veats.
u. Were there intervals when there were no
discussions on these troubles? Witness?Uo you
mean what proportion ol time aud extent?
o. Ves. A. I can't say that; there were at
times long periods from 1871; alter May, In 1872,
there was very little discussion all the summer;
tnat was during the campaign, ana very little was
done till alter the close oi the campaign.
(i. A iter the puolicatiou oi the Woodhall scandal
what occurred from that time till June. 1873 ? a.
It ran on to the spriuir of 1873; soou a ter that
came my vacation; alter that occurred tne inter
polation oi tue sister churches, w hich gave rise to
consultations aud conlereuces with Moulton; that
was accompanied with what was called the Bacou
letter to '1'ilton on the fltli November, and alter
that Tilton's letter to Bacon.
y. That was the course o: events up to the meet
ing ot the church investigation. A. \es: the Bacon
letter caused considerable conierence between
myself aud Moulton, and after that was published
the end came.
o. Now, 1 refer to an occasion of au interview
bet weeu yourselt and Mrs. Moulton, and ask you if
you ever r.ad any conversation with her on the
suolect of the Woodnull sandal; how did tnat in
terview come about aud wnat was the conversa
tion 1: any was had ? A. Twice I called upon tier;
we had two conversations?one was not exact.y a
conversation; she made some pleasant, spicy re
mark witu respect to wiiat sue regarded tlie dii
lerence between myself and her husband; another
time she asked me. when we were together in her
chamber, what 1 thought aoout Mrs. Woodtiull, I
can't use her language, out her language wa3
such that it carried with it the wish to know
wnat i thought ot iter (Mrs. WoodliuH) in connec
tion with aer husband, and 1 said 1 bad no means
ne'sonaiiy to know her; that 1 derived all my in
formation oi ner lrom ottudte; that I dld not, be
lieve in her views, aud expressed the hope that
sne was what they thought she was, and then
sne asked oi her in connection with uer own asso
ciation with tier, aud l told ner 1 did not think she
could do any hurt; it was a very sincere compli
* wiiat connection or association did she make
a- to between herself and Mrs. Woodhull at that
interview ? A. Tne conversation arose irom tne
laot that Mrs. woodnull Irequented the taou^e.
and she told me Frank had desired it. and that
she had consented; tnis wa- said in such language
as leit on my mind that she received her on
Frank's account. . .. _
o. Did sue say anything oi what she thought of
the rea-on of Mrs. Woodbull being received at the
house. How did she put It to you? A. 1 already
said that in subatance?tnat it appeared to me
tnat she aid uot laQcy toe woman, but that irank
thought very ulghly of ner, and that she received
her at her house because be wished it; she also in
a subsequent conversation reterred to her early
married lite, that she had cnanged her ideas irom
that time and thought better to coniorm as a wile
to ner husband's wlsnes.
SPEAKS CP LOUDLY.
The interview oetween Mrs. Moulfon and
Beecher struck a theme of interest. It brought
the color Into Frank Moulton's face. The witness
spoke up loudly in denial of ever having told Mrs.
Moulton that it was ner duty to co-operate with
hernusoand in his endeavors to suppress the
scandal. Ibe negative response was explosive.
Tue speaker shot the aDswer out witft a quick,
high, vocal snap that startled the audience.
0 in any of these couvorsatioas in which Mrs.
Wuodhuil was introduce'd did Mrs. Muulton say
anything to you about her husband's wisniug her
to associate with or receive Mis. VSooflhull in her
bouse on vour account? A. Never a word, nr.
u Was tue suoiect of anything done or needed
to be done with Mrs. Woodnull In reference to
von or your ailairs spoken of by Mrs. Moulton in
connection with her receivlug ner at her house?
A. No, sir, not at all. . ... ...
0 Lild you have any conversation with Mrs.
Moulton on tde subject oi ner association witti
ill's. oodnuil and you saying to her. "I mink it
is a duty you owe to Frank to co-operate with him
to try to keep tbe story silent?" A. No, air; not a
i'o.*l>?d?you, in reporting to Moulton any conver
sation vou had with bis wiie on the woodhull
?caudal subject, say to turn that you had told her
tnatyou tuougnt it would o? her du'y-to co-up
eiate with bim (Moulton) tor tte suppression of
those atones concerning yonrself and Mrs. lilton?
A. No, sir, nothing oi the kind: I talked with .virs.
Mon.tou on tue subject of bcr. so far as it could oe
done with propriety, co-operating witi her nus
bsnd in nisoruin?ry desires, out with no reference
whatever to tne matter as pertaining to me.
u. My question Is?Whether in reporting to
Moulton any conversation you had with his wife
on tne suojnct ol her associations w.tn WoodUul,
you said to Moulton that you had toid Mrs. Moul
ton tnat you thought It to be her doty to co
operate with her husband for the suppression of
the stories concerning you aud Mr*, niton? A. I
never so talked with Mrs. Moulton. and never toid
Moulton mat 1 had.
u. Did you ever have any conversation witn
Mrs Moulton on the subject of her attending your
cuurcb. and, 11 so, state wnat passed be'ween you
1 n the suuject? A. Ves; she talked on the subject
01 going to church at various tinafS and in various
ways; 1 recollect her sajing in1s71?her speaking
with some anxiety regarding the s curing of a
pew?that Moultou had expressed an intention?
that be had toid her be wa* going to procure
? new. and sue was solicitous to know If Frank
bad lorgotten it, as she was alratd be had; 1 know
that in 1872 and 1873 sue taiked to me sbout seats,
and asked me if 1 knew whether seats In a pow
could oe obtained; she didn't know wnether
frank would attend, but tnat sue wanted two
teats for hemtlf and Soy: I referred ner to Mr.
Wells, telling her she coniu get ellgiole seats in a
pew ; she a so on one occasion expressed herself
in a complimentary way, saying she thought I
was improvlug in my preacnin^; I recollect see
ing her not unireqnentty in cnurcn, and 1 dis
tluctlv recall one occasion seeing her st tne pul
pit steps waiting for me, bringing round some
message lrom Frank that he wanted to see me,
auu on another occasion sne said in a very piean
ant way to me 'bat l did not seem to see her when
ane attended cburcti, aud 1 said, "You are never
in church, Mrs. Moulton, that I don't see ion.
Q. What passed oetween you and her on any
occastou oi your visits to tne house by way of in
vitation or suggestion as to your making visits to
beraeii? A. I rememoer distinctly on two occa
sions that she said to me. once irom tbe r.ead of
the stairs when I wss beiow going out and once
in her chamoer. "Vou always come to see Frank,
wny don't you come to m? Bit," in? * turned tt
off understanding it to be a kind of pleasantry or
jest; she ?ald on one of tbese occasion*. >lr.
beecher, when are you coming to see me why
not make a social visit on me, and not business
ones f" or words to that effect.
OET8 MORE DELIBERATE.
Tno further references to Mrs. Moulton were
?lren in a rapid, jerky manner ane in a careless
ratber flippant tone. Wben asked as to otber
conversations with Mrs. Monlton, be grew more
deliberate, cautious aud emotional. He spoke to
Mrs. Momton in a vague, shadowy kind ol a way
tnat a person of delicate intuitions would, ne ap
parently tboufht, readily understand.
a suite if anything ,-assed between you and
her ou any of tbe-e occasions wheu tbe subject of
vour relations with Mrs. niton was spoken oi? A.
lhere were Tarious occasions of tots kind; my
conversati on witu ner four times out of five had
reference to Mrs. Tiltoo. ana 1 had requested her
to act as Mis. id ton's next friend; i wanted a
woman.y person to do It aud i thoMut Mrs. Moul
ton eminently a wo i anly person, and she won id
tel. me that fclisabetb bad be;n round to see ner,
and 1 would ask her how sne seemed to be; I
recollect a conversation m which I thought sae,
ou tne whole, ielt tuat Eiuautlh might do better
in some respects: but more often in these con
versations ?he SLoke witn some degree of seventy
Itout Mr. lilton sou gave me to understand that
?tie disapproved of bis cobduot.
a in respect to bis wue and home ? A. it co*
er^ii mar. bit did not exclude other things; 1
fiougat she did uot like him; with regard to Mrs.
TiVton, 1 toid uer that I wouid te pAectiy wlUlng
Hit ? ou d without Indelicacy; that 1 wonld be
very glad to deposit inuds to expend ou her ju
tiicio isiy wnen she (Mrs. Mouitob; saw anv such
wao'Stbat a womm's eye would know?would
recognize; n one occasion sue seeme-i quite sad
aoout tne state ol things she lounii existing, and
* ie ss'tl "I don't *ee how tuzabetb can get
a ong. and i anould not wonder n sue should
nr-sk out and go to her mother's; 1 toll her
hat would be fetal, nnd tnat sne ought on alt ->c
c.uats to remain; tnat though it was very naid to
near it would oe tarder not to bear it,
u Was more wny discussiou aa to any lauit on
Mis* niton's part - A. Yes; I tiad a couversatlou
with her on that subject; ? was on tue subject of
n>>* navtng
AUkNATED BL1ZABKTU FROM HER HCSBAKP
and drawn to mysen her affections; it was an ex
position oi my feelings a;jout it; I {"it it. very
deep.y ana 1 attempted ss tar as 1 could to let her
know bow it was without putting Mr. iliton in
any degrading or Indelicate position ; much oi the
conversation was in tnat sbaaowy way in whicn
we suppose au intelligent and loi'ililve kind of a
person t > understand wnat we mean without any
plain war is or expressions; but I wauteu her to
understand that 1 had never consciously with
drawn ?ii2ab?:tn'* aifec ions irom ner uusuand.
u. How did y u express yourself with regard to
any compunctions you ielt in that connection ?
a as a man that was very sensitive on sucn a
matter wo?ud; 1 said it was a grie a* deep aa
mt leatti ua I oon.d not loroite summu lot tbe
mischief tna* was done, for I was all the time
under a proiounu conviction tk.it I baa uninten
tionally and unconsciously wrought in that ualet
little viomun a smouldering lire that hail burned
utikuown to trie and winch nau broke out with
sueli infinite mischief.
U80WINU PLAINTIVE.
He thought he dad wrought In that quiet, deli
cate little woman (Mrs. Tutonj a smoulder
ing fire of passion that might break out and do in
finite mischief at toy time. This was pa t of his
conversation with Mrs. Moulton. It was uarrated
in a plaintive tone, ?nd /ears were held that Mr.
Eeecber would break down before long.
y. Wliat din Mrs. Moulton say la regard to the
subject? A. She never said much about it; she
was not, as iar us l was concerned, a talKer; she
wa? a very patient listener.
y. During all vour interviews with Mrs. Moul
ton was anything ever said by Mrs. Moulton
on ttie subject ot your liaviug been iiuiitv of adul
tery with Mrs. Ttltiou. A. Mr*. Moulton was abso
lutely incapable oi saying that in my presence,
and never said it, by direct words oralluslou to
her honor; we never conversed on this subject;
she was a lady thoroughbred, to my impression,
and she never said a word that Jarred upon my
seuses of the propriety or delicacy of a lady's
tongue.
WATCHFtTLNESS.
Tilton and Moulton eyed the witness with
mere than common watchfulness as, bracing him
self for one ot those remarkable responses that
from day to day he has rolled forth to beat baclc |
the tide of accusation, he replied with a long as
piration, as If he were luting a load off his heart,
"It was impossible for her."
y. Did you ever, at any conversation, say to
Mrs. Moulton that that was probably tne last con
versation you snould ever have with her?did yoo
say to ner, leel if Tilton publlsnes that letter
01 apology it is useless lor me any longer to live
this down r" A. i dm not.
V- l>id y?>u s.iv anything like this:?"! feel If
Tilton paoltshes my letter of apology it is useless
for me to try any longer to live i his down; I nave
never felt tnat 1 had much to nope lor Irom Theo
dore ; lie has boon lauuiess; lie id a faithless man;
he seems to lose sight ot the fact that lu sulking
at me he sacrifices Ins wne. and if that letter of
apology is published 1 might as well go out of ltie;
It is useless in trying to live It uown?" a. I never
felt so, l never thought so, and I never said so.
y. Did she say to you, "Mr. lieeciier. there li
something oetier l'or you to do than tuat; it would
he cowardly; go uown to yourciiurch and confess
your crime; they will forgive vour" a. sue never
said any thing oi the kind: no, sir.
y. Did you say iu reply to that, "No, I cannot do
that, lor the sake oi the woman who has given me
her love, for her chlldreu, lor my family, for my
church, tor my influence throughout tne wnoie
world, that I can never do; I will die neioro 1 con
fess it"? A. No, sir, never?very trlumpnantiy I
all)rtn that.
y. Did she say this to you, "Sooner or later the
truth in tnis case will come out; it is much better
that you should take your case In your own hauds
and niate it to your church?give to them a conies
sion such as you could make to them, and i am
sure they would torsive vou"? A. Never, sir,
though I know something which that was made
out ot.
y. Now, sir. did yon say In reiefence to this sug
gestion oi hers, or in tne conversation at all, ' No,
that i cannot do; I should be?my children would
despise me; 1 could not go back to my home, and
my churcn would not lorgive me; they would not
dual with me as you have done; there would be
nothing ieit lor me to do; my work would be fin
ished; it woind be better that I snouid go out of
Hie tnari to remain any lonuer in it." Anything
ol tiiat tenor or effect? A. No such conversation;
It was impossioie lor her and lor me.
y. Did she then suggest, or at ail suggest In any
conversation, yuu could write lor your paper, you
could no to y.mr larm ?nd write? A. No, sir; Mrs.
Alouton never gave me any such counsel nor ever
entered into any diplomatic conversations of that
kind with me wnatsoever.
THAT KYS1ERI0CS POWDKR.
Q. And did you in any conversation with her
say, ' No; if they would not listen to hear me
preach, they certainly would not read anything
that l shoulc write. Besides, my position in lile is
that of a spiritual and moral teacher, if I can no
longer hold that p slnon, then there is nothing
leit lor me, and I am resolved 10 take my me.
I DAVE A POWDER AT lloME ON MY LIBRARY
table wulch I have prepared, wmch I shall take,
uud snaii sink quietly off as it going to sleep, witn
out a struggle." Did vou have any conversation
of that kind ? A. That Whole representation is
preposterous and talse; the only powder I know of
was In gunpowder, up stairs. (Daughter.)
Q. And did you proceed to say lu tbls connection
or say at all, in any interview. "I haven't any de
sire to live; I have nothing to live lor; in fact, I
pray lor death us a bappy release irom all my
trials and trouble; and 1 feel that li i publish now
a. card it wn only be a temporary reiiei; that Mr.
inton is likely to break out again at any other
time, and I leel tnat physically and mentally I a.u
unable any lonuer to bear this strain, and I prob
ably shall never come to see you again?" A. No
sir; 1 never had any conversation having that
meaning or that intent or purpose, although
I perceive in that representation the conversa
tions tnat were nao, but entirely dlilerent ana to
a different drut.
Q. Now. m tnis connection, did Mrs. Moulton re
P'y, "Mr. Moulton will stand by you. uud no
nutter what cones to yoa I will always be your
friend; and 1 am convinced that the only way oat
oi this troub.e for yon is by telling the truth?'' a
1 dou't remember any such conversation.
y. Did you ther eupon, or lu any conversation
say to ner that you would come to see bar on tne
day following, that you had .-owe guts that you
wiahea to dispose of-some little mementoes tor 1
diflereut peopie?something which you wanted her
to bear to Elizabeth, somettiiug for different
fnenas, or messages which you wanted her to
bear ror yon. and yon wouk*. come on the following
tiaj to see ner? a. No, sir; not a word; pure ab
solute dream or fiction.
y. Now, sir, did von at this Interview or at any
interview say to Mrs. Moulton. dio you tell ner,
eltner with or without tens streaming down your
tacc, that yon nftd sunered
THE T0KTCKC3 OP THE DAMXKD,
that you were oo.iged to go home and wear a
cheeriul smile, wnen you appeared in tne pulpit
you mu?t appear at your best, that the slightest
indication of weakness was a contessiun of weak
ness on your part, so that really she was the only
person to whorn j on coutd go and act tout natural
?eli, as to her you could unveil your whole heart's
struggle?did you say anything oi tnat kind? A. 1
?aid something like that, sir, but in no such con
nection or pointing in any such direction aa tnat
is pointing.
y. Now. sir, please state In what connection or
upon what suoiect you did say anything oi this
nature, if at an ? A. it was lu a conversation of
wheth?r i should euuure any longer tne s rala
and struggle to carry lorward ibis trouble in con
cealment or by ailence uuaer tne incessant provo
cations and dispositions oi Mr. Tnton to leak at
eveiy side and raise op new difficulties, and tne
time had come, I told her, ween the matter bad
got to come to a bead; I would not stand the
wear and tear, under any conditions, much
loofer; that it would wear uie our, and tbat I
should meet the matter and should bring It to tbe
surface, and have a disclosure and have the tninir
settled; teat is tne snbsiauce.
y. Sow, wnen, li you can state, waa any such
conversation nao in which wuat you have last
stated Dore a part? A. It bore^i part on Saturday
morning of May tbe 31-t, I tbitfk. sir. ?*luru"J
y. I call your attention to some atatementa of
Mrs. Moulton in regard to reports wnicn she made
to you concerning interviews wnnhshe had had
with Mrs. niton?diu Mrs. Moulton report to you
auy conversation ahe bad had with urs. Tilton in
these words or to this nature and efiecl, that Mrs.
Tuton had said that she had felt very sorry lor
Mrs. Moulton, even more sympathy lor her than
because she (Mrs. Moulton) bas lost
faith in Mr. Beecner, because she (Mrs. Moaitont
was unabie any longer to attend the cnurcb, and
that sne (Mrs. Tilton) begged her (Mrs. Mouitoni
to go oack to the etiurch ana believe in Mr
Beecuer, and tnat Mra. Mouitou nad said, "Eliza
Distti, tiQw can you ant me to go back to tb6
church, how can you ask me to rake commanlou
irom his hand.-, kuowtug what I do?" sne said -1
want you to believe in him; he is a good man; he
lisa repented or tbe crime; lam the one who is to
blame; I invited him;" Mr-. Moulton replied "1
think I might hear Mr. iieecber preach, and pet b.ips
mignt derive some benefit irom his sermons, but 1
cau never go back to tue cnurcb with tbe same
feeling that 1 had in him years before." Did Mra.
Moult.,n say anything liae tnat to you ? A. No,
?'rJ, ^ ,r?. p?rted a?Jr ,act> convereation aa
that, nor do I think it possible for her to look me
in the face and say the haii of lu ,
y. Did Mrs. Mouitou report any such conversa
tion a* thl? as having occurred between nerielf I
ana Mra. Tilton:?"1 caiied to see Elizabeth, anu I
said, 'if you are caLed oe ore tue church what arc
you going to do?' 'To save Mr. Beecner,'she said 'I
will sacrifice my husband and evei ything.' l said.
will you allow your husband to go down ' and sue
said, 'I think I should oe justified in aenyaiieTery
thiua for tne sake oi Mr. Beecber's influence, lor
the aske of tbe church snd lor the sake or tbe
great interest* at stase I snouUl be ^ustifieo In sac
rificing my nuaband and family ?"? a. hure fiction:
not a word oi truth in it; not a word.
'oa lnli ,0 Mositon, "Poor
child, ahe is trying to repair tbe wrong she has
done in confessing her s.n; but it Is too iate?" A.
sir; l did not.
y. Did you in any conversation with Mrs. Moul
tou say these words or to this effect, "Tnat U
waa very ci uel ibat Elisabeth should nave con*
Jessed ataii; that it was very unius. to him- that
he cou.d not understand it; nedM not know why
sne should nave don- it, or that sue should nave
a owed uim to vu.t at tueir house :or six months
alter sue ha<t contested to her hu-oand: that It
subjected him to unp.easant greetings and meet
? K TJ,. u,u"*n(J' anJ fl? not understand
wny she should have confessed itr" a No air
not in connection witn any auco conversation'.
y. Did >ou lu any conversation with reierence
to urging that sne laouid go to your church, or in
un v otner form or manner, did you sav that tou
felt you had repented o. ycur sin and were for
given and were oetter fitted iban e?er before in
your llie to do great good?do you recollect any
thing of that kind ? A. No, sir; not ifom me to
hei, nor from her to me?nor from me to anybody
y. Did she ever say tbls to yoo, or anything to
tins ?dect, 'I <JuQ t tod now jou c*l aiari'i uod
preach t.. young men against toe sin oi adultery,
wnen you are implicated in it so deeply yourseii r'
Mf"J*V.ttiton * M)' ?hd she never talked
about adultery m my piesesoe auder any oircum
to una iruai or i
?Wu ft laui BiAt
Q. Was anything of the Kind sal* by her respeet
iuir Tourieil t A. Never.
y. Now uiu you m reply to any such observe
tii>u, or any reservation, sav, "lluviuit passed
through the experience I have I feel 1 am better
fitted than ever ueioio to preach ?" A. J have
?aid to somebody, whether it was to her or nor. 1
aou't know, tuat mv giett troubles anil penis hail
depressed mv ua'ure anil nrougnt me into a larjie
sympathy with snirermg men. ami that I thought
1 could preaeh belter I nan 1 could betor"; tuat it
seemed to me Und hud led me through dark wave
lor that very purpose: but It had no reiereneu to
the topic in vour question.
y. Wan it with reference to any charge, Implica
tion or lact oi adultery that you made any such
observation ? A. No such thing.
y. Now, air, did this conversation ever occnr, or
anything ol tnis nature ? A. No, sir.
Q, Now, Mr. Beecher, did you have a conversa
tion with Mrs. Monlton in the luoutu of July 1874?
A. Yes, sir, it could hardly be called a conversa
tion.
Q. Please state wnat took place? A. J onlv
recollect having a talk about a paper Mr. Mouitou
was to read beiore the Investigating Committee.
y. Please state what was said? a. The state
ment was read In my presence.
y. What passed between you? a. Mr. Moulton
said, "Kmtna, 1 have read tnts paper to Mr. Beecher
and he thinks it will do."
O. Do you remeuioer the conversation to which
Mrs. Moulton reiers when she said:?"Mr. Beecher,
what have you done to offend Prank?" and you
answered, "I don't know?i am very sorry?I
don't think I called ine committee: 1 could not
prevent an investigation ?" A. I don't remember
any snch conversation; any such statement that
the churen nad started tne Investigation ant that
1 could not prevent it was false.
Q. Who started tne investigation f A. It was
started through me. and Just as a man shoots
when ne sees a partridge.
y. What oeourred at the next conversation ? A.
I said to Mr. Moulton, up stairs, when i.e asked
me if I thought that statement was Honorable,
that he knew best, and must Judge lor himself.
Q. Do you remember a conversation with Mrs.
Moulton when she said, "l)o yon know wnat Mr
Tllton proposes to do?wnat be proposes to pub
lish in the EaqXe to night?" You saia "No ? She
satd, "He proposes to give a statement of the
facts and copy your written coniessiou." You I
said, "I have given no confession." She said "1
mean the letter to Prank." You said, "That will j
be a breach of couildeuoe," and she concluded by
tellitig you to go down to the cnurch and confess. !
and you said "the puoilcare not prepared lor such
a coniessiou?" A. No, air; no such Conversation
tooc place,
y. Do you recollect a conversation when yon
said, "That you always regarded 1'neodore aa a
faithless man, and tuat you hud made up Tour
mind to let them go aneao und do their vorstf"
A. 1 don't recollect any such conversation 'iking
place at any one time. I thought Mr. Tllton was
a loolish man, and lelt consent of oelug able to
deieat any case thei might bring against me.
y. Did you ever say to Mrs. Moulton, "Von are
the best inend 1 have In the world. You, knowing
the trutn, still stand by me. You are to me like a
sister ?" A. No such conversation took place
except 1 have called her a slater and had a sincere
esteem and affection lor her.
y. Dirt she state anything to you about Mrs Tll
ton, saying. "I think the woman la as much to
blame aa the man. lbe mother oi Ave children
snouid not have acted as abe naa," and did you an
swer, "she is not to blame; I take all that on
imaelf?" A. No auch conversation uver took
place; there were conversations tuat I recollect
on the household, on socialistic and other topics,
not especially in connection witu .urs. Moulton.
y. Did Mrs. Moulton ever say to vou as follows:?
"I told Mr. Beocner tuat Mr. iiobtnaon had thought I
it strange that Mr. Beecher pal i so many visits to
Mr. Moulton; he thought there must be some
trouble, und he thougnt I outrnt to tell him what
it was; he said tuat sometimes ne thougnt Mr
Beecher had been guilty oi thoit or some other
great crime; I said wo, it is not that; lie uaa oeeu
guilty oi adultery with Mra. lilton;" he said he
could not believe sucn a tmng?how did I know it ?
I said 1 had seen tha contagious of ooth parties
1 toid Mr. Beecher about wnat I had aaid, and ne
said be was glad I had amoothed tne way over
with Mr. Kobinson ?" A. No .>ucn Conversation
ever tooit place; it is entirely false.
y. Do you know Mr. Koinnsou ? A. Yes, quite
well 1
y. la he an attendant of your church r A. Yea,
a regular attendant.
y. Did jou ever, in conversation with Mra. Moul
ton, state that, you were despondent and in low
spirits thinking over your crime? a. 1 never
acknowledged to any crime; I have expressed to
her the feeling of de6poudeocy i had about the
affairs oi that family, and that 1 was glad to taik
as she always took a cuecriui view of the question
and livened me up. *
Witness tneu stated:?It is n t true that any
conversation of the kind too* place; the idea of
turning a?ide from the puiptt to edit a daby paper
was prepoateroua; I knew my vocation; there
were several suggestions oi tne kind made, but i
never entertained them; I never made any such
atatement to tne effect that my church would not
stanubyme; they would not treat me as gener
ously aa you nave done.
Q. 1 thin* you have said vou did not see Mr3.
Moulton ou that Monday or the Tuesday evening
you were in town? A. No, air, I did not see he.
y. Do you remember any oonveraatlou wnen
Mra. Moulton aaid Mr. littoa waa treacherous? A.
\e?, 1 recollect ner expressing sucn sentimenta
about Mr. Tiiton.
y. Mr. needier, you have spoken of seeing Mra.
Moult?n on the lat of May and that you were at
the house in the evening ana saw Mr. Moulton? A.
1 waa, sir, and saw tuem both.
THE AFUHAV.
y. Now on the 3lst were you lying on the lonnge
covered with an aighan? .\. No, sir, I waa never
so diaposed on th ? slat or May.
y. Now, Mrs. Mouitou states that upon getting
up from the aofa you walked up aud down tae
room, and, with tears streaming down your
cheeks, you said, "You thought it waa very hard
to be brought to such an end alter a ilie oi uaeiul
uess," aud I aafd, "ihere waa only one way out of
It?by confessing it t" A. No such conversation
took place.
y. Placing her hand on your shoulder, did she
say, "Oo down to the churen, ouniess. Prank will
stand by you," and did y u reply, "Emma, you are
like a section oi the day of judgment t" A No
sir; It never occurred; it is the last expression of
the kind 1 should make to tmma Mouitou; isaould
rather call her a bank or spring flower*.
Q. Did she ever say to you, -1 can never respect
you un.ess you manliest to me your repentance
by gumir to the ctiurcn and confessing?" a. No,
?tr; it la a mo-t melancholy laiaenood.
y. Did she say, - It is very hard for everybody
connected with this matter; you can settle it by
con.esslon; you have only this one course, aud
tney win lorgtve it?" A. She made no sucn state
ment; u Is certainly false.
y. Do you remember a conversation as fol
lows?"Mr. Beecher spoke of bringing me some
mementoes, and added, speaking oi Mrs. Tllton,
?Sne was not a bad woman at heart and had
sinned through her affections?' " A. No, air.
THE DENIALS.
Tne time was drawing near recess. For two
hours an unceasing iteration of negative assevera
tions bad been going on. Tne form oi denial was
little varied irom that of last week. "No, sir,"
with a la:i loud accentuation of the "no," and
"Never; oo, sir, never," in the more lmpaaaljned
and indignant forms. Negative! oi dlflerent
phraseology, depending on toe cnaracter ol the
question, ware also uaed. The voice of the wit
ness kept up a pretty even tone throughout, ex
cept tor a few moments. When be came to speak
of a conversation witn Mra. Moulton concerning
Mrs. Tllton there was none of the emotional
quavering that excited alternate feelings of ridi
cule and nlty on aeveral days last week.
y. After 'hat did you speak of your having com
muted a crime ? A. i have often spoken to Mrs.
Moulton of tne breaking out oi tne truth, but I
never ai.udeo to it as a crime or a confession.
Witness stated:?I daresay 1 may have said to
Mrs. Mouitou to advise Mrs. tllton not to taik to
any people or her affaire, as there were several
visiting ner that mignt make mischief: I never
told her to oe careiul to tell her not to make a
confession.
y. Now, Mr. Beecher, In all your conversations
witn Mrs. Moulton did she, either in words or by
any imputation, suggest tue crime of adultery
between rourselt and Mrs. Tiiton ? A. She never
did. neither by word nor imputation.
y. Was that fact ever Imputed or made the sub
ject of converaatioa between you f a. It never
W Ef>
The Court then took the usual recess, the Judge
ordering the officers to prevent any one speaking
with the jury as tney went out.
AFTER RECESS.
A long string of Plymouth church peopie en
tered the court room aiter the receaa expired.
Theodore Tuech, the reporrer who caugat tne
amallpox In court and auffered irom It lor over
live weeka, came In and took hia place among the
stenographers without creating any undue alarm.
Some delay occurred beiore Mr. Beecher resumed
his seat in the witness stand alter the proceed
ings were renewed. Tne Judge tailed with a
friend on tne bench at some length, Evarts, Ab
bott and Shearman oeld a consultation tnat ap
peared to be oi some importance, a? tney talked
long and anxiously. Finally, Mr. Evarts men
tioned to Mr. Beecner that there wae an inter
view between blm and Moulton ou May 31, 1(78,
and he wished to know if tne word -crime"
was made use of on that occasion and the witness
answered "No." He proceeded to refer to otner
in erviewg, and mentioned one with Redparn,
wherein perhaps tae word crime might have been
mentioned oy him as having been used by Mouiton.
y. There was an Interview between yoo. Mr.
Moulton and Mr. Tiiton on the aist of May, 1?78;
was there any conversation between you, Mr.
Moulton and Mr. Tiiton regarding what -i as done
or should beaoue, In wbiou the word 'crime" was
uaed by eitner of tnese gentlemen or by you on
toe auuject that was talked oi I A. No, sir.
y. Now, in those meetings between >ourssif, Mr.
Moulton and Mr. niton, from December, 1870,
down to tne summer oi laat year, when was the
first notice or information to jou of a cnange in
tie "crime" wnicn was cnarged as against v. u r a.
The flratnotifloation 1 got oi it was from Mr. Red
path at Feekssili. umass it oeourred ia lie intar
view aboat taa Baoeu letter, ftut I de not tluaK
' the word was used in that Interview; I do
t tunic 11 occurred tiien: mv first hear tug '
. tiunge in tna cnurge against me w.ie nom ?r.
Kedustn at PeekskUl; I do n"t. remember the date.
a \\ as mat lite first notice or advertisement^oti
the i art ot Mr. Moulton or Mr. Tilton that J?'u
were or were to bo accusod of adultery witu Mis.
Tiltouf A. It was. tl
a. Now, iu regard to any conversation tnat pre
reded or immediately followed itie Pur,jlc"*'1"''"i
the Bacon letter, were there such conversations
in witicu you took purr, und wtti whoui ? A. *
1 lia>i conversations witU Mr. loulton: i
to uave meetings with Mr. liuon; tsey were rare.
It at all; with Mr. Moulton I flut convprsations a l
a oDit to March, 1874. in reu-ard to the^address
Which purported to tie Di. Bacon s lecture to ae
students at New llaven, und in regaid to live let
tern Dr. llacou published in tlie New
Deadcut; men a card in reply to Dr. Bacon, which
Mr. Tilton was understood to bo preparing.
o Was thaf matter notified to you in tuat con?
Tor'satioii with Mr. Moulton f A. Yes.
o How lotig prior to the Duplication ol the
Bacon letter wa-> the Interview between Mr.
Moulton aud yourself in which you learned tne
onemnif O'that plan? A. I cannot irtvo you anv
tiling definite ubour It: 1 can give you the so j
stance or It: Mr. Moulton waB unwilliug that Mr.
Tilton sliould write a letter of any tlud. aud he
labored, he told ?o, in various ways to dibsuude
mm irom publishing a letter, and told him per
triDs it would be better to write it out, repeatiug
wtiat ne said on lormer occasions; It was to man
affe Tilton when he got Into a state of violent dis
satisfaction to let him write out. and when he
tiad iu some sense expended bimseli to
take control ol him, and it w?8 ,n..rl?.?.?
of thos<* prior conversations that I learned
irom Mr. Moulton it was Mr. Tllton's intention to
include In his reply to the Bacon letter the sub
stance ot the apology; we had s e ve r a 11 n c lde n tal
conversations ju-t preceding the publication. In
wlucii he represented that Mr. Tilton and he had
been m New York the night previous in a iriend "
house, aud that there hau i ecu several Persons
called in lor consultation; that they had all
striven to prevent me publication or the letter ,
mat Tilton was firm in his determination to pub
lish ttie letter, and that Mr. Moulton then
asked him to take out some harsh expressions
irom the letter; and that he had 11 naily succeiedeiX
In inuklug the letter a great deal better w tnouc
any unnecessary seventy; that, I think, Is the
last conversation I had with Mr. Moulton on that
subject until alter the letter was published.
AWKWARD PHBA3KOLOOT.
Beecher Is not always happy in his phraseology.
TUton was more apt, finished and scholarly, lhe
latter. In many Instances, w*s brilliant and im
pressive. He developed a cool mastery of the
English language in offhand reply that astonished
even his admirers. Beecner, alluding to Tllton's
unreliable temper, the uncertainty of depending
upon his variable moods of mind, said It was im
possible to foretell when he might fall Into one of
his "violent dlssatlslactlons." This awkward
form of expression was delivered hesitatingly, as
if the speaker were puzzled to select a fitting
word. In oommand of language as a witness,
Tilton, though cold, formal and precise, showed.a
wider, readier and more elegant vocabulary than
Beecher.
0. Alter the letter was published did you then
have any conversation with Mr. Moulton,
what was done? A. I never read the letter from
that day to this; I mar nave read a part of it
during tins trial} the letter was not shown to me,
and 1 Knew notmug of its contents except as rep
resented to me by Mr. Moulton: 1 was at Peeks
ku) wueu the letter appeared; I telegraphed to
Mr. Moulton tuat 1 .would see Ulm at my hou*e
tne next day at six o'clock; I came down by the
two o'clock iraln on Friday, and called on Mr.
Cleveland, tailing him ol my intention to initiate
steps lor calimir an lnvestlgatluB Commltteeof
the cnurcn, and telling mm ol the plan I intended
to pursue; 1 also told nim Mr. Moulton
was tii see me that eveninir, ar?d at that
time Mr. Moulton came to mv house; we had a
conversation, of which 1 recollect verv little, tor I
had dismissed irom my rntud the whole idea that
Mr Moulton could be the friend successiully of
botn parties; he brought with him. however, a
document, wishing me to admit that 1 nadcom
mitted an offence; I believe this document has
been put in evidence; I said to him, "1 am 'Oing
to nave some friends nere to-night; I will couier
wuh mem and see you again." (Paper handed to
witness.) I think this is tne card; it is not in
my nandwrlnug; the contents ol it are familiar
to my mind, and 1 suppose t'Jl* to Ioe
ine card?me paper?that was brought to me, I
do not know the handwriting.
Mr. Evarts, who said it was staged that
the paper was ?believed to ba the handwrit
ing ol Mr. Carpenter, read It, as loilows:?
??rnis churcn aud community are unques
tionably aud justly interested through the recent
pubi.cauou by Theoaore Tilton in auswer to Dr.
Leonard Bacon, of New llaven. It is true that I
have committed au offence against Theodore fll
ton. and giving to that offence ttie lace of his con
struction I made an apology ana reparation
eucn as both he and l at the time deemed lull and
nece-sary. 1 am convinced that Mr. Tilton has
been goaded to his deieuce by misrepresentations
or mHuuderstandings ot mv position toward him.
I shall never be a party to tne reopeniu? ot tnis
ooe*tion. which has been settled as between
Tneodoro Tilton and myself. 1 have committed no
crime, aud II this society believes its duty to be
that I should reopen tins already too public sub
ject or resign, 1 will resign. 1 know, as uod gives
me power to Judge ot myself, tnat I am better
Jilted by going through trials and chastentngs to
ao good man I have ever been."
Mr Evarts observed that there was an occa
sional cnange oi lux in me paper. He did not
know wnetuer it appeared whose handwriting it
Wu." With that paper belore you what was said
to vou by Mr. Moulton in regard to its publication?
A. 1 don't remember mucn about wnat was said
the first evening; my mind was running on other
thtugs; Mr. Moulton had ills plan, und 1 had dis
missed irom mv mind nu genermsi.ip, and yet ray
personal relation* with nun were very cordia and
my confidence in him was very strong, and I did
not wisa in any way to hurt mm or to be indiffer
ent to what he seemed to be laboring to accom
plish ; yet ray mind was set; 1 had got to the end,
and 1 meant to have no more Intermediate statres;
therefore, when this was nrst brought to my no
tice I said "1 "111* consider it; 1 will take it Into
consideration;" that, so lar as 1 recollect, was me
first interview substantially; the date ot that in
terview can be eus iy fixed; 1 can't in mv memory
fix if I have got the date ou a memorandum
in m'r pocket; It on Frldar .evening,
Jnne 28; tne Bacon letter was puolisned on
the itftn; I took this card to consult witniriends;
1 cannot fix the precise time: 1 had an Interview
tnereaiter in regard to tnat letter or its publica
tion out it was not far off; at some interview
later Mr. Monlton urged me verv strongly; as l
remember the convention It was this:? that Mr.
TUton had said nim-elf, la tne presence of wit
nesses, if I wouia publish that statement he would
be content. ?
"WOCLD SMASH TILTON."
??If you will publish that card," Moulton said to
me, "I'll bum ail tne documents and I'll take
aides with you snd smash TUton." The word
??smash" was rendered with strong effect. Tne
Bacon letter had been published, Moulton brought
a card rrom Tilton to Beecher to get his signature,
and the latter reiuaed to sign, as the card would
have been a virtual acknowledgment on nis part
of the offence witn which TUton charged mm.
Beecher seemed to have been driven to bay and
turned on his persecutors and defied them,
Mr. Beecher went on to sayMr. Moulton many
times spoke to m? in regard to the power he nad
over Villon; he said.
"I CAN (iKlND 111M TO POWDER
he spoke imperatively or the power ne had over
Tliton; my auswer to .Moulton to signing the card
lor publication was that 1 never would sign a card
alter the puolicatiou ol tne Bacon letter w,tn
that equivocal word "offence" iu it; 1 toid hlui l
would not. and l did no ; 1 cannot say definitely if
the subject was renewe i in any way; there was
still, up to tne very session ol the Investigating
Committee, more or less of an effort on Mr. moui
ton's part to acconimolate matters; he was oi
opinion that the publication oi the Bacon letter
hai not necessarily bnugut matters to a crisis , I
held the opposite opiniou, and Mr. Moulton, wUh
meat audacity and vehement z -al, thoagnt that
there could be a way struck out uetween extremes
bv wnlcn we could ail go clear even at that
I stated tnat we could not, and that the thing
rnuat ue pried into?that we must see into tne bot
tom oi it; 1 uou't know that tne particular mode
of issuing this card?wnetner for uewspaper puo
lication or to oe read in my churcu?Was a matter
ol cousideratlou; i don't rememoer aooui it: in
lorrn It looked rather like as if it wa* intended to
be read to the Ciurch. bi^t I did noi regard it par
ticuiaily in that way; 1 did not give it mucn
thought, except that the opening pnraseoiogy was
an effectual bar to its being used by me m any
Wfltf.
u.'Now, Mr. Beecner, do yon remember this oc
curring in regard to tnis card:?Mr. Moultou and
ne suutnitted that paper to the cousloeration oi
Mr. i racy upou mt own suggestion?ne did not say
upon your sugaes ion?and then oemg asked this
Que*iion, HWnut wa? said to Mr. Bfctcuer til fegard
10 mat?" in speaking to Mr. Tracy,
swore* "he approved ol ir." ?
iu tue next question snd ?u?wer more
ruily what he said and wnat you said
to uim, "I said to mm tnat 1 submitted tne PJpP
osition to mm and ne said uotuing lortw, i
don't remember mat ne made any repij. uw
you recognize ny conversation uetween you ana
Mr. Mouitou as to tins paper naving been suo
mitted to Mr. iracy and you approving or disap
proving or it? A. It may very easilyjavei bee^n, on.
I don't recollect any sucu conversation, mere
were a goou many consultations about the Bacon
letter; au introductory card was prepared .it was
submitted to m ? as, 1 tuink, a kind of hesis tor
tnis otner one; 1 am not ciear abont mar. mere
were many interviews ana many suggestions
tentative lorms?produced upon tee PuuJl0*l}?'?rJ?
the Bacon letter, out I reiu?ed to 0o2*'^"
and alter it was pnolisued 1 was lfldispo^o l to
aQ?rJo you remember a conversation you Sid
witn Mr. Mouitou. In which he brougut to your
attention, an interview he had with, uenerai
Tracy, regardiBB me lavoring of ?ni effort of mis
kind ? A. i have nu independent recollection oi
?ocii a statement as n made mere.
u. What was me objection yoa stated to me
puolication of tnu osrd? A. Mf
mat alter the pnonaation of the
?verv one woe at liberty to pnt on tne woiu
! "offence" what meaning he pleased, when all
the chaw wus tluit 1 hud mailt) improper ad
vances to uri Tiltoii; I tola Mr. Tiitou that I
woulil nave nothing t?? Jo with unv such state
ment?with anything that would so mislead ma
public; I sai l I wouia never si?u It. aua would
have notiiiuir to do witu It.
y. Now, whether the word ''crime" was used m
elthef ot tun convers itions Mr. Moulton had witfc
?>ou preceding or following tne publication of the
ltueoii letter, was there any Muirgcstion irom Mr.
Moulton ihat.the chin go was any other or differ*
eot ironi what had heeu the suijeet o: cMiver-a
tlon between you?the ituD'itaiion of iiupropei
advances? A. Tnat wan wnat 1 understood aud
what lie understood.
y. So that announcement made to yon, as com
ing irom Mr. Tiiton and Mr. Moultoa. that they in
tended to charge adultery on you, was the firs<
you heard ol it? A. H was: that was the first;
kuew of it as part ol tueir plan.
y. Now, Mr. Beechor, In regard to the Wes'
charges, were the facts, in lorui, ever laid befort
you oelore they were inutla t A. I do not remem
ber ever to have read theiu; 1 knew what they
were at the tirue; 1 did not an >w much about tne
particulars at the tiuie; I understood that the
West cnuigeH were charges against Mr. Tiiton tor
slandering me?saying that I had preached to lortf
mistresses, or some other words: the charges re
lated to the Uowen slanders against me; there
was no eommuulcatlon made to me In writing or
otherwise oi anv other charge but that of Improper
advances to Mrs. Tiiton.
BEECHER AND TIIE REPORTERS.
While Mr. Evarts Is searching for some mislaid
pacers Mr. Beecher- turns Ids great eyes, with the
fullest, kindliest beams, over on the mass of scrib
bling reporters. He recognizes one or two an<t
j smiles; but there Is no time lelt him to enter oa
the wulo field of reflections suggested by this
tremendous engine of publicity in active opera
tlon under his eyes.
Mr. Evarts read from Mr. Tltton's testimony la
regard to the West charges.
y. With reference to these West charges did
i vou have any discussion or conversation wltn Mr.
1'ilton?
Mr. needier went on to answer by saying that
i there was a motion mado in the church to drop
Mr. Tllton's name irom the roll of the church: he
i nau talked with Mr. Moulton; that the thing was
' coming to that Issue; Mr. Tiitou appeared in the
I naeetiuz and asked permission to make some re
marks, and as a matter ol courtesy it was granted
, to Inni; ho then proceeded to ?ay that he had not
slaud 'icd the pastor of the church, and that 11
the pastor had any charges to make on 'hat sub
| ject against blui hb was (here to have mm make
tbeui, then <tud there, or words to that effect; He
1 assumed the position of a man not a member of
the church, declaring that ne had not slandered
the pasior. and if the pastor thought ne had slan
dered him he was there to meet those charges; he
(Mr. Beecher) had not expected to speak that
evening, but alter Mr. Tiiton bad lin
lshed he sail that whatever differences
had existed between Mr. TUtou and himself had
been honorably buried?that he believed he had
no charges to make aeainst him, as he had none
to make against Mr. Tiiton: alter the meeting Mr.
! Tiiton was congratulated on the successful tar-,
mlnatlon of the discussion: he shook hands witt*
several of his (Mr. Beecner's) cordial friends anA
went home happy.
y. Was anything said bv you about these charges
being buried on Mr. niton's part 7 A. I can't say; I
said they nad been amicably settled between us,
and, so iar aB 1 am concerned, they wera burled;
that 1 had no charges to make and 1 believe he
had none to in.ike against me.
y. Now, Mr. Beecner, I call your attention to a
statement or Mr. Tiiton; I mention this question,
which will snow you the subject (it was ou the
cross-examiuatiou by me):?"Q. What was iliere
in tue situation that made Mr. Beecher respon
sible for any oi those offences against
you that yon print In Dr. Bacon's
letter (It anouid be Dr. Bacon's state
ment) ? A. I will ten you. sir; Mr.
I Beecher came out of ins cnurch one night, as I
have described In my direct examination, and
met Mr. Moulton and me against the irou. railing,
saving lie coulu control his cnurch?they would dc
exactly what he wished; that he held tnem in his
right hand, and any action which Mr." 1 believe
mat is the end oi wnat he says you said, saving
he could control his cnurch, that they would do
exactly what he wisned; that he held them in his
rignt hand. Did you make a statement of tnat
kind to Mr. ? A. No, sir. I did not.
y. Mr. Tiiton, in reiereuce to the situation after
the Bacon letter, or at any time 7 A. I did not,
sir.
Q. Now, Mr. Beecher, there came to be an in
vestigating committee last summer 7 A. Tnere
did.
y. After It was appointed was an application
made to you Irom that committee lor a statement
before It of your relations wltn Mrs. Tiiton 7 A.
Tnere was.
y. Did you prepare and present to that commit
tee a statement on tne subject 7 A. I did.
t y. Is tnat the statement concerning which Mr.
Tiitou speaks as having been read, in part, at
least to him? lie was asked this question:?")
saw him at his house." A. Yes.
- y. vt itn regard to what t A. With regard to th?
report which he should make to the Investigating
Committee of his caurch.
y. state whether be had It prepared. A. Hi
read to me irom a paper he proposed to snow will
regard to Tiiton.
y. Was that the paper 7 A. It was.
Mr. Evarts?From which vou read to Mr. Monk
ton 7 1 oder that paper in evidence, sir.
A LOSO PAUSE.
At a few minutes past three a long pause oo.
curred. The witness stepped 4pwn irom the
stand and went over to his brother. Dr. Edward
Beecher, who stood near a side window. BoiO
remained in conversation until the proceedings
were resumed. The cause of the delay, "the hor
ribie pause," as some oue designated It, was tb?
reading oy the plaintiO's counsel of the original
manuscript of Mr. (Bcecher's statement to thi
committee.
Mr. Evarts?Mr. Beecher. please look at th?
date of this, and then I will ask you a question.
Tne paper was handed to witness, wno glanoed
over it.
Mr. Evarts?Wednesday, Jaly 16, 1874. (To wit
ness) Was this prepared by you alter your inter
view with Mr. Keduath at 1'eeaskiil, whicn was
Monday, the 13th? A. Yes, sir; wnat date does
that bear7
Mr. Evarts?This bears date Wedneslay, the
15tn day oi July. 1874. A. Ves.
y. According to Mr. Kedpath's testimony of tbat
Interview witu him you spoke of a statement thai
you tvere going to make? A. This statement i
was going to make.
y. And made alter that 7 A. Yes, sir.
Mr. Evarts?1 will now read It, if Your Honor
please.
Mr. Evarts then read the statement, as fol
lows:?
Wsdxssdav. July 13. 137*.
Dita Bairnst.*?When at length the time csino that
I could kreak Wie ions silence ol I oar veers. 1 thought it
proper, an i m accordance with all the principles wnion
fiyinoutb cliurcu has deteuded, that f should apeak to
you aud through you to ihe church?the only ecclesias
tical tribunal whose authority l recognize as binding
upon ins. I asked the appointment ot a large committee
oi able and impartial men. because th ugh my own
statement ws* to be, in my |u Igment, the culefelement,
yet there w^-re uiany IDi-luenial and collateral Questions
which I desired to have Investigated and ftnallv deter
mined.
1 jo not propose to enter upon the details of a history
running through lour years. I shall state the laeu
which concern the original troubles and leave alone
the tangled sequences
My acquaintance with Mrs. Elisabeth Tiiton date*
froui her cuudiiood; my tnUtnacy iu heriainily from
I about l9<?-3. Her nature was strongly devotional, she
had a genius lor reliaious sentiment. .lad she lived la
other days and in the < atnolic Church she has alwayt
teemed to me to be one ol those who would have inspira
tions and ecstatic viaiout My Interest id her Increased,
an J she deaerved the respectiul aflectlon which she won
irom me. 1 loved ner as one would his own child, she
had grown up under my teaching*. -"he had never
known any oilier reliaious teacher, and she had associ
ated with my name aud Illumined by her imagination
whatever was wortnr of alfcction anJ trust Nor did 1
dream tor a long time that, in such a aentls and ap
preciative nature, m.v admiration and sincere
affection might beget an enthusiasm which would mar
the entirety ot the love which a wile should cherish lol
her husband. It was at length the sight ol the uuhapui
ue?s disclosed In the family and the Indignant re
proaches ot her husband that aroused in tne the lull sense
oi fie wrung done in winning uny part ol that atJecUou
whieli aiioui.l belong to her household. Le iving to oth
er* Uio unwelcome task ol rellued moral criticism upon
this gentle and pure-minded woman, it Is for me explic
itly to deieud her irom snv charge ul criminality oi con
duct and to dis-ipate even the shadow oi a reproaeli
upou her uiiteuipted honor and to loin with her hus
band. who hsa agaiu and aaaiu. with ioval affection sad
with lu-ttice, deiendeft the p ?r.onai puriiv oi nis wife
Although the sincere udoctlon wInch erew up lu me
?for Mrs- illton was honorable in Intent, 1 none thj leas
condemn m>sell with unsparing m:\erPy tor bringing
upon the luoit sacred ot human institutions?the house
hold?great harm and distress, which have since flowed
like n river. 1 do not measure the blame by a llsbl
standard, that our relations ware not criminal in the
ordinary and ie*al sense ol the term does not esouerate
uie irom Disme uor does It relieve me ol tne shsrpe*!
pangs ot sorrow. My sge, my eaperlence, tar Knowl
edge of her sensitive nature, ahouid have been S sbleid
to her, and uiy i-ng and afTecltehate relatious
with Mr. Tiiton. When the lull realisation broke
upon me of s household deeply wounded by my impru
ucnce. ol posiioie and threatened divisions aud scat
teriugs. aud tns long train oi evils that might
i et?ii lather, motner. and the beautital group of
children, and that iustesi of hapotneu i had brought
upon two parsons with whom I had Been in the most
siloctiouate relations a lorrent oi mt-erv whose influ
ence might widen Indefinitely? mv distress passed all
bounds loamu'ual Irleiid 1 poured oat m.v-oui ilae
w ater. I did not measure Words. I Uiok Up m niysiir
Immeasurable blame. I wished hitn to couvey to Mr.
Tiiton. iu language overcharged with leeluig, my pro
foun 1 rearets and apologies, ihespol'gt was ?ccupted,
a reconciliation wss made, snd klud, social relation^
were lor e time continued, and would li ive continue i
until this day. had not ma lm external luduences inter
fered iu various, uniookod-ior ways, aud spread abroad
exaggerations, perversions aud lalsehuO s. whose direct
evil was alined at me, but who?e indirect ind uencu wai
to piece Mr. intoi in a false position, as oue attacking
me ratner tliau at one lnjuied bv me.
Nor can any one who oui/ looks upon anairtat tli ?
present staae oi development be in a situation lo judge
ol the motives slid influences which have acted at vari
ous raeesofa historv essentially private and do nes ic.
and winch, tor the sake or socist - ot' the tamiiy. or
childhood and of wouianuood, should have had the
privilege oi se insion. waich tnosu most iniured mist
earnestly Sought. Tneoollcvof sitanee has lallcd. but
it was the right one aud ought to have succeeded. ?
I was called, at the earliest moment In tills history, te
determine my duty In other relations. 1 was pastor of s
large church, the editor of a rcllsloui lournat. snd wai
engaged in important literary enterprites, besi let t'i<
multifarious public and private duties ot a miscellanaoui
klud, not strieily cler.cat, which rail upon olergrmeii it
oar day. froioundiv sudei lug. it would have b cri o
unspeakable redei li I could have laid down uiv bur
Sens. It was uoc honorable or right to o bars to seek
pertonai relief ai their expense. 1 tnereiore determined
to accept my sorrow at a esiteoinwster sent of uod. and
te let no one kaow that i earned feurdeua, bat te tils M