The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-16

~-~~-~~~-~~~>>~~~,>y>o,-. .>~-o>o>~.,~-
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher delivered an
address last evening III the Academy OF Music,
Brooklyn, on the Issues OF the Present Con-
test" Long before the hour announced for
the appearance OF the reverend gentlemen, 8
O'Clock, the doors were besieged by crowds
anxious TO gain admission, and the moment
the building was thro wn open the galleries and
the body of the hall were filed as full as they
could possibly hold. The platform was crowded
with ladies and leading gentlemen. Mr..
Beecher, on making his appearance, was enthu.
siastically cheered. He looked in perfect health,
and spoke with his usual energy. The orator
of the evening was introduced to the audience
by the Rev. DR.. Storrs in a few remarks.
MIR. Beecher's Address.
Mr.. Beecher spoke as folows:-
ow-CITIZENs:-Already our recent his
tory divides itself into three great and we'll
characterized periods. that of discussion, by
which they are so secured, a great moral
awakening in this nation to principles OF liberty
that had stun bered TO the enormities of slavery
that had been CLOSED over by every description
of guIse and disguise. This the first great
period, and the longest. The second was that
of martial conflict. The third is that of recon
struction; and when the fourth shall be added,
that of restored unity and peace, the his. orical
circle will have been completed. But we are
now actors in the third and relatively most i'm.
portant period of our recent history. What are
the duties OF that period! what is the work to
be dones What must be known before we are
in position to determine which are the best
instruments, and winch, from its nature sym.
pathiesa history, AND general tendencies, is to
be chosen TO execute the work OF reconstruc-
tlons These, tLen, are IN general the things
that are 20 be done:-Frst, the utter destruc-
bon OF slavery. root and branch. which has
been the iundan entail cause OF national dsssc,ra
treaeon, and war. Second, The purrBt10l Of Ias
Constitution OF all influences derived from
slavery, and the purgsDon Of The laws and
civil courts OF all customs and proceedings DE-
rived from slavery or infected with il. Tngr5ly
the readjustment of the sundered political rela.
tons CT States long in condition Of SUSPENDED
animation. Fourhly, the security education,
and enfranchtsed negro population, happily now
made tree. Lastly, the Ie-establishment OF good
will and cordiality among alienated citizens,
the revival OF enterprise, industry, and com
merce, which, like the circu lation OF the blood
in the body, brings the whole nation under the
influence OF one common central yita life
Some might be inclined. perhaps 10 add u sixth
TO The duties OF to-day, viz, our foreign rela
tions and their adjustment; but, Iclow-Citizens.
so long as We are at peace nt home we have no
foreign relations. No foreign nation choses to
attack ag long ss we are at peace among our
selves, and We certainly do not intend TO attack
them. What further ID there? This America
is the worlds host. This continent, like hos
pita6le mansion, stands with doors vide open,
and the United States alone Ot all nations offers
generous entertainment TO the citizens Oi every
nation on the globe; snd our foreign relations
enough; come and welcome"
IL IL better 10 stand alone hooted and de.
tested for hefesy, than not TO care enough for
frEth even to baVea heresy (laaghter) for there
= Ia nothing more detestable in heresy than the
spirit Of md fcreutisn, whether II be in religion
or politics. Ike man and like u woman,
bot DO not ike something that IL neither one
nor the other. (Bonewed Iaughter.) Now since
we are called to this TecOnstructive work, each
TO make his contribution )rdtng to his several
abilities, We must act through parties. I am
hot O mo q mo IN ,foa
party. I class that with the same spirit that
affects contempt Of the human body. There
have been those that thousht that only the soul
was something di9nided, and that the body was
always to be derided, and all that pointed TO It.
Now do not undertake TO say that the body
is equal to the soul. II Is not; but do say tina
poor journey If 1t had nobody 10 acl
through. And say in respect to political
affairs, all citizens, thinking Is revery, until by
some enHneIy you can bring II to bear.
public sentiment 20 be of any validity must bC
organized, must be wisely led and wisely applied
and parties are those voluntary organizations
by which alone you can give point, pith
and power to your political conceptions anC
belief. And therefore, while you have rie hi
10 disown the eXcesses the tUllies, and the cor
rup,ions OF party, your censure must not go Il
the lle OF parties; for there be no free State
with free discussion and free action, eXcep
through the organization of parties. Thls bring
us to the question OF the hour. Since we have
got the great work of reconstruction on hand
aud since there are but two parties and W.
must act through one Of them or the other
which or these parties are to be selected
That IS the question. There ARE grea
many other things that miuht be SAID but IL 4
my purpose tonight to tell you which of thest
two parties ought to be put in possession of III,
Government aud kept in possession of the Gov
ernment Tor the sake Of reconstruction, (Ap
plause.) Which OF these parties then is hes
fitted by its principles, by its antecedent his
tory, by itsideas and sympathes and those Q
its members to have the management of recor
struction? First, is il the Democratic party
(Cres OF ''No,n 'no.') Gentlemen of q jury ar
never allowed to give verdict till alter th
lawyers have pleaded the case out and state
the argument. daughter and applause.)
wish TO disclaim all intention of assailing th
motives and characters of the individual men
bers of the Democratic party, while unde
take to show that that party Is not 6t to b
trusted with the government of this nation
loud and prolonged applause speak {
the Democratic party as living organization
with a creed, platform, and party discipline
and an innate and inevitable tendency
and il is not the citizen who belong
to the party, but the party ITSELF thi
desire TO characterize. And first, th
Democratic party was once powerful, usefu
and honorable, when the old Federal party hs