The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-01

a
Mr.. c., Friend of Mr.. A.
Lawyer-Governor OF the State
Mr. IA Boston literary lion.
Three gentlemen Observation-Disclosures.
A servant-A witness.
Clerg,men church members, professors, twenty
three ecclesiastical judges parochca clergy, old and
young gossips, people of saratogs, &c, &c.
Tar scEsE-Chiehy at N sometimes in the study
Of the IL President of the College, and for ten weeks
at the watering place ofV.
This is pretty respectable array; and, in con-
nection with the fact that kind of Platonic affec
ion only existed between the hero and heroine or,
at the nest an agreeable Irritation while il lasted,
il must be admitted that no drama, eked out of
triflipg Incidents ever brought forward characters
more interesting or conspicuous. However, we
must not step to consider the subject in merely
dramatic point Of view.
The story is simply this. A certain clergyman,
Mr.. A, supposed that Miss D had fallen in
love with him. He, very unfortunately, rendered
himself agreeable, and. we doubt not, acted very
foolishly towards a very clever and interesting
lady. Had his Stiffness been properly treated with
contempt, no public exposure would ever have
suited from the affair, but set of busybodies, old
maids and fussy old bachelors, who had construed
attentions into intentions, were annoyed to death
that their prophecies OF" marriage" were not fuL
filed, and they cruelty set about an infamous
persecution of Miss D., and devoted themselves
10 relentless onslaught upon Mr.. A.. Errors
in judgment-n feeling-characterised the hero
and heroine. These were nagni6ed into high
crimes and misdemesnours, andan ant-republican,
illegal and unconstitutional ecclesiastical court, of
an atsociation composed Of twenty-three judges,
went through the forms of trial, on this topic,
which had aroused the common scandal mongers of
the community. We scarcely know how to treat the
subject with becoming leviy and ridicule, because
we think that very gross injustice and wrong has
been committed against Miss D., and particu-
| larly by Miss Catherine f. Beecher. The htera-
ture Of the Beecher family has always been evolv-
| ed from strong and reckless passions, founded on
! what they have belieyed-but which the rest of
| the world must doubt-to be wholesome and
Christian principles. Taking Miss Beecher's en-
tire history Of The affair." in which she has been 80
active an agent and counsellor, we are led TO but
! one conclusion-that she has been miscbievous,
malignant and dangerous adviser of her friend,
Miss D.. Had the latter consulted the dictates
OF her own mind, expressed in her letters, this
account of "trivial fond record" would never
have seen the light This, however, was denied
her. Miss Beecher not only dragged the unfortu-
nate, and, we believe, truly honorable and estima-
bic lady before an ecclesiasi ical tribunal while
she was yet in feeble and fantng state, but she
has "made book about her," and has circulated
IL with more than ordinary care and pertinacity OF
purpose. She has sent il out with a " circular"
| which, If submitted 10 the Turkish Ambassador,
who is about TO visit this country, would give him
very curious notions Of social life in the atmo-
sphere Of literary institutions No stranger could
read these productions Of Miss Beecher's pen,
without being led into the belief that principles Of
honor are not maintained towards women in the
vicinity Of theological and collegiate institu-
tons. Miss Beecher's own words may speak for
herr
The opportunities have had since the semi-pub,i-
cation "a this work and especially since the ne Of
these circulars, Of learning the views OF many Who
may farly be regarded a. the represe high.
minded and intelligent women generay, make Il pro-
per for me TO msintain that the great body such
ladies cannot but regard the position Of that ntitu
ton % In fatal antsgonfm With the principles that
protect the mot sacred ssnsbtes and the honor OF
II there Is anything In Witch the public generally
has deep interrt u is the influence sxertsd by the
s1ample Of the instructors Of our higher literary in
sttutions on tie social and moral principles Of the
young q this nstion And II there il ANYTHING In
which every woman has deep personal interest h a
In the msint,nspot Of those Of honor which
prostattd bsfors the syUs net only Of the young men
e,tr. Institution, but b,fore the youth Of our whole
oouniy
In this view ofths care the work is TO pub
lie notice rot as matter Of merely individual wrong
but ~ indicating an emergcncy In which every just
and honorable man, and especially those connected
with the public prsss called TO stand for the de-
f.pce Of some Of the most tacred and important prIn
eiples that protect social and domestic peace
We have not space TO touch upon one ti,hc of the
remarks suggested by these passages and by the
text Of the work itself Il is all wrong. It is
wrong in conception, wrong in execution, wrong
10 ffiendfhir wrong in Christian charity and wrong
in every sense Of propreiy and duty. II the social
peculiari,ies Of Puritan hfe need such a work as
this, why, then, we are ready to say amen, 90 far
az ts principles are concerned; but no plea can
Justify the conduct Of Miss Beecher, as she has
commenced 10 describe IL on the two hundred and
sixth page Of her work. All true principles Of
honor would restrain, we think the possessor Of
them from exercising any such spirit as has been
manifested in this publication. We cannot recon
Gle such treatment with the worlds ideas Of
truth, honor, justice, even leaving all Christian
sentiments specially so dgnihed, out Of the ques-
ton. II the two parties, involved by the mistaken
70 a Of their acquaintance, in this ove-making or
friendship formed affair, believed to be strong
minded incsrrupthe, and equal to resist the scan
dal common 70 the artifcisl society in which they
moved, there could have been from their associa-
ton no evil, which a few months would not have
consigned 10 oblivion. Persons who claim to ex-
ist in an exalted Christian sphere Of purity and
propriety. and who yet seek in the midst Of thou
,and conventional restraints, to hamonizs the
worlds ways with their spiritual professions, are
liable 10 fall INTO error. The results are to be de-
precated but little Independence little Of the
gay worlds philosophy, alec, is requisite, iha, their
happiness may not hang upon the decisions Of
ecclesiastical courts, which, besides being illegal
and unconstitutional tribunals, are the dormtones
ofmahce revenge, and all uncharitableness-these
sometimes awaiting with fearful energy and power