Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-29
A ADistiueuished Criminal LAWYER L1nSSy ON 4

A Distin enished Criminal Lawyer on Trial
The Rev. Hubbard Winslow, D. D., a reg
ular contributor to the New Y ork Evangelist,
devotes two columns of that excellent paper
to the question, "Was Rufus Choate Chris
tian 2" This question was discussed by the
Boston papers at the time Mr. Choate died
as zealously as if his fate was to be fixed by
fine writing. They succeeded in putting
him in very uncertain condition; for there
were reprobate people, Bohemians and
others, who welded sharp pens, who would
not allow Mr.. Choate to be written into
Heaven without their having their say; and
when they had their say, it was found that,
like other questions, great Geal could be
said on both sides. This institution is pecu-
liar to Boston. When man dies there, the
critics hold an inquest on him, and decide
on his character in this world and his fitness
for the next.
The Rev. Mr. Winslow seems to think that
Mr.. Choate was left in parlous state by this
discussion, and he proposes to see what a D.
D. can do for him. In the mean time we
may suppose that Mr.. Choate awaits in pur-
gatory the result of this newspaper contro-
versy. 1t is novel idea, this fixing the fu-
ture fate of humanity by the freedom of the
press. 1t is suited to the genius of our peo-
pie and is vast improvement on the pray
ers and masses which the Church uses to
redeem souls from purgatory.
Mr.. Hubbard states the evidence on which
he asks a popular verdict on Mr.. Choate's
claims to Heaven. He was much affected
by the death of younger brother, who was
Christian, which is very near to being a
Christian himself. "He had very sincere
respect for lergymen"-evidence that he
must have been almost Christian, because
Christ had not. HE expressed earnest dis
satisfaction with the writings of Strauss and
Parker, and with all similar speculations of
the German school" This certainly ought to
make him a Christian. Undoubtedly, to
call any thing "German" in the next world
will be enough TO secure the divine wrath
upon it. This evidence would of itself settle
the point, if it were not for the possibility
that the rule may work both ways; for
Parker expressed earnest dissatisfaction with
the character of Choate. Does not that also
make Parker Christian?
"He was conservative, and had no faith in
mere moral reforms as a substitute for relig-
ion." We are not able to say what con-
servatism will do for man in the next
world; but, of course, the less he valued
morality the more he was a Christian. AT
least, the Rev. Hubbard Winslow talks so.
''He never acknowledged to me that he
thought himself Christian; yet, he did what
l regarded as better evidence that he was
one." We smell moral mouse here. The
Rev. Winslow thinks Mr.. Choate Christian
because he had no faith in morality; and
then regards his morality as the best evidence
Of Christianity. Whether or 4ot Mr.. Choate
will do, the Rev. Winslow will not.
The Rev. then gives ian instance of his
conscientiousness." Meeting Mr.. Choate the
morning after the arrest of Prof Webster,
for the murder of DR.. Parkman, he said to
him;
"Well, Mr.. Choate, l suppose there is an
other case for you He replied, with sub
dued tone, No, | shall have nething 70 do
with 1t. fear | have cleared too many
rogues already"
He had done something in that line The
"subdued tone" with which he said it, showed
that his penissnee and contrition were deep
He made amends for clearing too many des-
perate criminals by not defending good
man who killed bad one in heat of pas
sion.
The following account of his calling
'luck, heathenish word, seems to the
Rev. Boswell almost positive proof that he
was Christian
Meeting me the next morning after the
news came of the death of President Har-
rison, he said, with his peculiar anxious ex-
preston: Sad news-sad--sad--for our
country; and, if may use the heathenish
word, bad luck for Webster. He ought to
be the next President, but that depends upon
the Whig cause, which, | fear, will hardly sur
We this disaster"
The remaining evidence is, that Mr..
ChOate was much affected at the loss of one
OF his children, and burst into tears when the
Rev. Winslow told him she was in Heaven.
As enc of the public, before whom the
Reverend Hubbard Winslow puts Mr.. Choate