New-York daily tribune., 1865-10-25
MN. BKRCnRR,s EXPLANATION.

mR. BERCHRR's EXPLANATION
We publish below note from Mr.. Beecher,
correcting the inference drawn from his sermon
of Sunday evening last He referred, he
asserts, in the passage we quoted yesterday
not to the general policy of the Government
toward the late Rebels as one that should not
be "hostile and unpleasant to the white people
of the South" but 20 the policy in regard to the
freedmen. This, he believes, should be such as
should secure the sympathy and good VIII oi
the Southern whites, as they "can help or
hinder the black men far more cfiectually than
we can at this distance" Undoubtedly the
true policy, 80 far as it is practicable. Let Us
hope however, that Mr.. Beecher does not
mean to be understood as advocating any
let.alone doctrine which would leave
the Southern blacks at the mercy OF
the whites. As We have had good deal OF
evidence for the last six months-indeed have
had little else-that the Southern white people
as whole, Is possessed of very strong disposi-
ton 20 "hinder" the black man in the recovery
of his rights as citizen, II seems hardly polite,
Just now, 10 say that We must do nothing that
is unpleasant" to the whites. IL Is hardly
polite unless we mean 10 give up the whole
question and deliver over the blacks TO their
late masters to do as they please with them.
The Northern people, through the Government
have proclaimed the freedom OF the blacks, and
our own belief is that they mean that these peo-
pie shall be free not In name only but In fact.
Emancipation itself was one unpleasantness,
among Others, which was an inevitable result
of the war; 1t was indeed unpleasant alto
gether at the South that Rebels were whipped
and, being whipped, II Is hardly to
be expected that order should come
out of anarchy, and peace out OF rebellion
without some slightly disagreeable conse-
ouences. We also believe in conciliaton-by
which we don't mean subserviencyi We also
belieye in the restoration Of good feeling-by
I which we don't mean compromise OF princi-
nles. but we also believe in establishing justice
and in securing the rights of citizenship to all
the people These are not to be surrendered
because some unpleasantness to the men
who have been slaughterng our sons and
brothers for four years shall follow. Agitation
will continue, and that is not agreeable whether
in the pulpit or on the rostrum. We doubt il MIR.
Beecher will stop presching because the wicked
| rave. But on the whole there is, perhaps, little
, difereuce between Mr.. Beecher and ourselves.
We are afraid the South Is not quite ready to
give the negro the night to vote. ft does not,
MIR. Beecher thinks they "may be ground to
} powder" But he thinks they ought to vote
and they ought not to DO ground TO powder. "
In this dilemma he will no doubt see it TO be
his duty TO advocate the first that the latter
may be averted, however unpleasant it may be
to our Southern brethren. But we keep the
reader too long from his letter which is as fol-
4 lows: ,. lf
To ns Editor ef IA. NJ " Tyi0sns 30 -, I.
SIN: You are correct In supposing that ain moi
accurately reported in the paragraph
a. The laws and intents Of the Governments and O.
ourselves will prove OF avail II they hostile and
unpleasant TO the white people oil the South.
vas speaking Of the best way OF promoting th'
prosperity OF tue feedmeu not Of the general policy
Government toward disloyal citizens now reclaimed.
II IL eminently desirable that tho North. and III,
GOyernnont slOulu W bn piopef inoanh uiu o9eee''
to the freedmen the sympathy and goodwill OF their I'M
uediuts whitc neighbors. who can help or hinder th
black men far more efectuay than at this dis
tance. - s.fI
Whatever ia Done from sthon for the freedmen
should II possible. be done as to carry the sympah!
Of Southern ner Unnecessary oncnse, oil irritation
sprnging from severe words and all appearances o
intrusion that shall arrogant viii react upon h'
blacks.
Legislation aud Christian philanthropy In the Nof'l
win do much; but more than all other influences 10
good or IN TO tho freedmen will be the kindness or th
Mostly Of tho white people OF the South. u
1.-THE freedmen could have given to them all thei
natural risAs (of which Suffrage Is ono Of tho NOS
importantly that would 60 further than any singh
political act to secure them from injury and insur
kindness II suffrage we're given even % cl.,ses only
thai would powerfully contribute 70 the safety of th
whole But II they are not to be allowed TO vote se
no adequate interference that will meet their and
ftheir white neighbors turn against them they VIII b
II o,aund to nowder HHSRY WARD BEECHEh.
1 j at ADrG GnJ