National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-09-14
PLYMOUTH CHURCH TO MR..

pparance OF Mr.. DeecncfS tlcNtidh"
letter, an informal meeting OF the
leading members of his church was
held. at which it was resolved to
prepare communication to the pas
tor, setting forth the feelings OF the
church in regard to his position.
While admitting the right to free
dom of thought and liberty of speech
on all subjects and occasions, refer
ring to the Cleveland letter, the
writers say:
To us those sentiments seem so
obviously at variance with all your
former teachings, and such wide
departure from the doctrine of equal
rights to all men which you have
hitherto so earnestly and effectively
labOred to inculcate, that we are I'M
able to cOnstrue them into IA rec0g-
milton of the Just rights of the loyal
citizens of the South, and the re-
wards due to the freedmen for the
effective blows which they struck
for our country when i'll peril, and
the cause of human liberty when it
was at stake.
; Nor can we reconcile our feelings
to the conclusion that the stand
, which YOU have taken is predicated
on a basis which will bring concord
and happiness to Southern society,
E neo,p to the Government, or a
spee,ly restoration of the Union OF
: the States. We believe that Ill the
t exercise of it's constitutional powers
Congress has the right, as between
: lOyalists and traitors, to determine
not only who shall represent, but
/ also who shall be represented III
f their councils, and therefore cannot
; assent to the proposition that the
n notion of the late Congress was DIES
!, potic in its tendencies or dangerous
l. to the liberties of our country.
=; We are apprehensive also tina
}, YOUR new alliance will bring you In
(; to association with and throw tn
k strength of your influence and pos
'e ton in favor of the political doc
4 trines which are now being man
E. tanned and disseminated by thoS
4. who have always been inimical t
:. the best interests of the poor an
< oppressed of our land--a class VIII
have hitherto been permitted to tnr
[, to YOU at all times for the broades
rs sympathy and encouragement. an
10 to honor you as their greatest d'
n fender, and the especial champio
rh of their personal and politics
II rights
ms Mr.. BEECHER's SECOND LETTE
yO The following are the concludli
IL paragraphs of Henry Ward Beec
nv er's second letter.
nd :. | feel now profoundly how il
perfect my services have been to II
am country compared with its desert
nj noble services. But | am conscIo
;nn that | have given all that | had
cr- give without fear or favor. Abo
all earthly things is my country d'
inc to me. The lips that taught me
t. say g Our Father" taught me to
I" Fatherland." have aimed
is conceive of that land in the light
- Christianity. God is ny wltn
that with sinslcneSS of heart ma
ire given all my time, strength and ;
i've vice to that which shall make I
mt whole nation truly prosperous a
glorious. Not by the lustre III arr
ion. even in Il Just cause, would l 81
eat her glory, but by civilization Il
are should carry its blessings down
rc. the lowest classes, and nourish
Iant very roots of society by her me
, Of power and purity, by her pu'
,,or. conscience. her political justice,
dis. by her intelligent homes, filling
,sic. continent, and rearing virtu
,ade and nobler citizenship.
Ion. BY night and by day this is
xeu vision and dream of my life. and
,een spires me as no personal amhl
, Inv ever could. am not discOura
at the failure to do the good ! me
at the misrepresentation of y.ch'
tbe nor the severity of former fire
ve- just now those angry voices G
to me as rude winds roar thrO
y. the trees. The winds will die,
oate trees will live. AS soon as my he
inst is again restored. / shall go rig|
IN the rery coarse / hare hitherto
Tho sued. Who will follow or accol
nuh. nv me it is for others to decide
Con. shall labor for the education of
,eart whole people for the entranc
Hall ment OF men without regard to c
th;s caste or color; for full develop
ring. among all nations of the nj
han. wherewith Christ makes men
In doing this | will cheerfully
9 70. with others, with parties, any
,arks all men that seek the same glO
DR.. ends. But will not become "a
10Th tisan. | will reserve my rigl
IRE differ and dissent and respect
ros a same right in others. Seeing OF
rroat full manhood and true persona
erty, do not mean to forfei
own.
tbo Better days are coming.
MORN throcs of our day are labOr-l
rod a God will bring forth ere long
,ohor' blessings. In some moments
We it pleases God to give me, th
lucod discern arising beyond the pI
IN hi. troubles, and over the other $
ut the inns ABYSS III M".n ."o "I' H..
in tLe lows, that fair form OF liH