Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-01-02
ICOMAUNICATED.
Prof. Mcdowell on Henry Ward Beecher.

Prof. Mcdowell on Henry Ward Beecher.
The St. Louis Herald contains a very
puHgem letter from Prof j. w. Mcdowell,
of st. Louis, to Henry Ward Beecher, in
which the Northern Agitator gets as
good" as ever he sent in his life. As have
Il peculiar feeltng for Beecher, | read it, |
confess, with sort Of tingling sensation.
DR.. McD. is Familiarity known here as "old
Raw Bones" and is quite an original. lie
uses strong language, and speaks right out
what he thinks His style of oratory being
unique, it is considered great treat to hear
him, and he is frequently called out AZ pull
lie speaker. | remember that one night he
was begged to make a speech, by meeting
which had gathered in front Of one of the
churches He-had some conscientious scru-
pies about delivering speech from the
steps Of the church, and that, too, late on
Saturday night when the excitement might
be continued up to Sunday morning at the
spot; but being full Of the subject, and deep
ly interested, he sprang to his feet, raised
his arms, expanded his chest, and called
OUTLET us adjourn to the Court House, for
feel AZ if | could almost follow you to
h-ll for the sake Of my country" The
suggestion was answered BY a roar Of laugh
ter and the loudest applause-the meeting
adjourned to the place designated, and the
Doctor made one Of his best and most telling
addresses just take the following as a
specimen Of the Doctors letter to Beecher;
"Such men as you, sir, would see the
waves Of human passion in il storm sweep
over the ruins Of the lighthouse Of the
world, reared upon times thousand miles Of
coast by the toll Of millions Of the Just, the
yirtuous, and the wise, at whose base lio the
brains and skulls Of the fanatical gulls that
have dashed against it. And, SIR il such
men 70 to heaven, they should carry with
them every creeping thing. ] do not coyet
such Il heuyeu-hayC no desire 70 walk the
streets Of your New Jerusalem, where ! am
to be saluted by the whistle Of the rattle
snake and the hiss Of the viper, and breathe
the atmosphere poisoned by the breath Of
the toad and the copperhead This may be
heaven for hypocrites and fanatics, but not
for me- Many years have passed since knew
you, sir, an impudent boy and having added
wickedness to lmpudcnce, you have become
i more conspicuous man, while my obscurlty
will scarcely bring me to mind. | have
welded the knife IN surgery for 4 profession,
and whether ! have won laurclN ~ not ny
history and my profession must show But,
sir, this much will say to you, that when
my country is destroyed by heartlcss fana-
ties excited to deeds of bIoodshed the knife
which has never been turned Oh the human
family but in kindness and mercy, shall BE-
kccnly whet III justice and in vengeance
Nv last surgical operation shall be perform
"a on such destroying monsters, t. cut from
their hearts the rooted cancer, and rid the
world II such canting hypocrites.
This i a specimen Of the lettcr-tud i is
of piece with that portion Of it, il which
he tells Beecher that IL addresses him, MT
is "a minister u the Christian religion or
i follower NJ Jesus; but Is 4 heurtlcss, un-
feeling, uncompromsing knaNe too wise q
act without deadly purpose, to little reli-
sion to be bigot a fanatic, but posses
sing the power to make fools and fanatics 81
others" >.
ST. Louis. Mo-, December -.