Worcester Daily Press

MOULTON'S MITE

Moulton's statement does not appear to be the crushing document which was announced as forthcoming. An amateur fortune-teller who had carefully read the newspapers could have manufactured as good a statement, and "Gath," with his exuberant imagination, could have made a much better one.

Moulton reveals very little that has not been told before, and the letters which he publishes are unimportant when compared with those previously made public. Tilton evidently used the strongest available weapons in his first attack, leaving the "mutual friend" with very little to do, save to add the weight of his word to the Tilton side. The most formidable letter yet published is the contrite letter from Beecher, which was embodied in Tilton's epistle to Dr. Bacon, and the most specific charges yet made are those relative to the engraving episode and the bed-room scene, as stated in Tilton's statement. Like the statement of Tilton, that of Moulton is almost without specific charges, and can be fairly met and proved or disproved. Moulton has simply added his testimony to that of Tilton, and the question of veracity is now between Beecher and Moulton. Moulton is no more likely to tell the truth than is Tilton, and, the man considered, scarcely as likely. The documents presented by him are no more conclusive than those which have already been published. If he has in his possession letters which are unmistakable evidences of guilt he would at least have bettered his own position before the world by publishing them. It would have been just as effectual to have said Amen to Tilton's statement as to have poured forth twenty-four columns of additional filth, and such action would not have argued so strongly that notoriety is the reward he seeks. We do not regard the aspect of the case materially changed since the publication of Moulton's statement. The people have before them a volume of bewildering testimony which would not be accepted by any competent tribunal. As has been said, opinions only, not convictions, can be formed while the matter is in its present state. It is probable that the case will soon be opened before a legal tribunal and that the truth will be made known.