The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-12-19
REV, HENRY WARD BEECHER


man of sectional republicanism. We put
the politicians out of tho question. Not
one of them has 1.-THE Of the influence
upon the public opinion Of the republi-
cans Of the North, rank and file, that is
exercised by the republican pulpit and re-
lgious press. Mr.. Seward has great pow
or with that party, but politics is his
trade. He began life riding the hobby of
anti-masonry; he has mounted any and
every hobby that would promote his po-
litical fortunes. IfMr. Seward had been
chosen President of the United States he
would have made an able Executive and
ms national President as ever sat in the
chair. The reason is that he has no prin-
plo nor conscience, and would kick over
the ladder that had raised him to power
without the slightest conjunction. Per-
haps it was an instructive perception of
this fact that led to the preference by the
republican masses (the masses are always
honesty of "Honest Old Abe" for the
Presidency. The application of that IL
tie to Lincoln is significant, and might be
regarded as dangerous also, if "Uncle
Abram" were as honest as one might in
fer from his name. This, however, is
doubtful. But it shows that the strong
men in the republican ranks are the ear
nest men, or those at least who are sup
posed TO be so. They have full faith in
their religious leaders, and in the religious
journals edited by clergymen, because of
the sanctity which attaches TO the cleri-
cal character, q character which is sup
posed to present in itself n model of all
Christian virtues, to be pure as God is
pure, truthful rs God is truthful, just as
God is just. The warning of the Divine
Founder of Christianity against evolves
in Sleeps clothing" is not much needed
in these days. Even when the ears of
the wolf peep out from the wool, in the
manifestation Of an evident passion for
worldly power and influence; nay, when
even an unmistakable howl for blood
comes from the demure and pacific look
ing animal, no suspicion is aroused, no
shock or interruption startles the general
confidence. The political parsons, who
writes the fire-eating articles of the In.
dependent possesses far deeper hold Of
the hearts of the faithful than the New
York Tribune, edited by man who once
proposed to be mum upon the slavery
question if the Mississippians would sub.
scribe to his New Yorker, and even init
mated that he might advocate il if there
was no other way of obtaining the thirty
pieces of silver, But no suspicion Of
mercenary or selfish motives attaches to
the clergy, and, among the clergy, none
has more the admiration and confidence
of the extremists of the northern popula.
tion than Henry Ward Beecher. He
comes of an old and honored Puritan
stock, his father, DR.. Lyman Beecher hav-
ing long been one of the main pillars OF
the New England Orthodox Congrega-
tionalism. In the theological wars of 80
years ago the name of DIR. Lyman Beech
er was known everywhere among his de-
nomination in the United States rs their
principal champion against DR.. Chan
ming, the big gun of Unitarianism. The
Beecher family have all been remarkable
for brilliant qualities and some eccentric
ity, none Of them, however, that we have
ever heard of, being deficient in that com
bination Of the practical with The poetic
nj which is essential to the material ac-
QUESTIONS. We suppose that more
profitable mine of philanthropy was new
or worked than Mrs. Harriet Beecher
Stowe struck in Uncle Tom,a work which
is said to have been the joint production
of the family, and the results of which
ought to have gone into the common
stock. Probably no book ever published
in this country has brought its author so
much fame and gold. None ever excited
SO much sympathy for the slave, and out
Of the broad silver stream in which that
sympathy showed itself not one little
drop was ever lost by finding its way to
the cabin Of single slave in the United
States. OF the large fortune which I'M
Gle Tom brought the Becchcr family, not
dollar was ever given for the benefit of
any Of Uncle TOMS black relations in the