The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-10
Rev, Henry Ward Beecher Explains What
He Nj can't to Say.

universal surprise among all the leading
OniOnists of the North. We had looked
upon Mr.. Beecber as one of the pillars of the
temple of liberty, and to see that pillar totter-
ing caused merited anger. Among those who
thus grieved over his course were nearly all
the leading members of his church. The
officers of Plymouth Church therefore sent
him letter, tho gist of which we give:-
Reverend Sir and Dear Friend:-We, the uu-
dersigned members OF Plymouth Church, while
we have always vlndcated the freedom OF
thought and liberty OF speech on all OCCASIONS
and all subjects, feel called upon, lest our
silence should be construed into acquiescence,
to state that we have read, with the deepest
pain and regret, the sentiments enunctated in
your letter in reply to an invitation to attend
the Convention about TO be held at Cleveland,
ONO.
"Dlay we yet be brought TO think and act
together in tn as in every other movement de-
signed for the promotion and perpgtuaton of
human liberty, the elevation of tue human
mind, and the advancement Of Gods glory
To this decidedly marked rebuke, Mr..
Beecher sends reply which decidedly modi-
hes his previous position, and leads us to hope
that he will yet come round to the old posi-
tiOn which he has so long occupied. To show
how he has modified, we quote the most ex-
pEbSSlt6 pOIJlOLS vi Ills letJGfs-
"Neither am | johnson man in auy re-
ceived meaning OF that term. / accept that part
OF the policy which he favOrs bat with m Odid-
cation. have never thought tnat it would be
wise to bring back all the States IN body, and
at once; any more than 1t W luld be 10 keep them
out all together. One by one, IN due succession,
under pra, tical judgment. rather than by
wholesale thecTetic rule would have them re-
admitted. But with this my agreement with the
President ends, ! have long regretted his ig-
nOranCe OF Northern ideas AID sentiments, and
have been astOnished ana panied at his ln-
CteaSing indiscretIons Uncou> ciOusly, the Pre-
sident is the CnIet obstacle to the rcadmissiOn
ut Southern ST.. cs.
''Mr. Johnsons haste to take the wrong side
at the d2UClOUS massacre Of -NelC orleans EuS
shOohpn7. The perversion and mutlla,ion OF
Sherldans dispatches need no CharaCteTlZat on.
As soOl as my health is again restored | shall
go right on IN Che very course | have hitherto
pursued. Who will follow or accompany, 1t is
tor Others to decide. | shall labor tor the clu-
cation OF the whole people: for the entranchise-
ment o. men without regard to class, caste, or
color; Iol tul development among all natlons of
the ilb 3rty whcrewlth Christ makes men free.
In doing this will cheertully work with others,
with Darh S-any and all men tnat seek the
same glorious ends. But will not become a
partisa1. VIII reserve my rtgnt to differ and
dissent and respect the same right in others.
Seeking others tull manhood and true personal
liberty, 40 not meDn TO forfeit my oWn.'
We have been very unwilling to believe
we cannot but hope his last letter is a pre-
paratOrV stepping stone before he once more
enters the RANKS in which he has SO long
fought. He grants that he tayors the Con-
stitutiOnai amendment, and believes it "intrln-
sically just and reasonable" yet, because he
doubts its practicability, we find him among
its opponents. 1t is new sound for us to
hear Beecher talk to the world of sacrificing
principles to policy. He who has never
abandoned what he thinks right in order that
he might win, will not, we hope, now in his
maturity cancel his noble record of the past,
and bow to expediency at the expense Of what
he holds to be right.
The following are extracts from the edito-
rial comments Of the New York Press Of this
morning.
''He virtually says, Give the Rebels all they
ask now, ana perhaps they will be kiLd 10 the
blacks by-andby. The Rebels take all power
OF right, and MIR. Beecher says for them what
they Will not say tor themselves, tnat perhaps
they will educate and entranchise the negro
some time or other. We prefer to let the Rebels
speak lor themselves. Memphis and New Or.
leans are 10 guess-Work.
'ITen millions of people have probably read
Mr. Beechers letter to Slocum, Halplne x Co.
AT least nine hundred and nlnety-nine of every
thousand of them have understood that letter
as a manifesto in favor OF the JohnsonCopper-
head Rebel coalition to put the Republicans out
OF power keep the blacks in sertdom, and let
the Rebels have their own way in all things. 1t
now seems that we all totally misunderstood 1t.
We trust Mr.. Beecher will write one more letter
"a very short one-to say which OF the TWO
Philadelphia Conventions commands his SYM
pathy.n-N 7, Tribune.
"The letter is a reassertion of his opinions
stated somewhat more fully than they were
given in the other and vindicating them from
some OF the misrepresentation to which they
have been subjected. II is frank, full and bold
ia Its declarations OF principle, and vigorous
and eloquent in its ST. le of thought and expires
sion. Dir. Beecher is EN- phatlc in his cepsure of
certain acts o the President and OF the general
tenor OF his public speeches We do not care
to pursue the discussion OF this point. BeSond
all question, MIR. Beecher's regrets are shared by
thousands OF the most decided and influential
friends OF the Presidents policy. Mr.. BeecheT
does full Justice, aud IN warm and eloquent
terms, to the integrity, unselhshness, and
10 the discharge of his public duties, and to the
great services he has rendered the country in
hPr hour OF trial. The letter will command uni
Versal attention, and will strengthen the impres
sion made by the one which preceded it.-NeD
York Times.
cOnslderate as the first, to which it gives add
tiOnal value by showing the tenacty witt
which the views expressed IN the hrst are held
and the discrimination with which they hav
been formed. TO be sure, 1t Is not written trou
the standpoint of a Democrat, nor should W
greatly respect Mr. Beecher II it we're. ma
Of capacity and sincerity cannot fling sue
den summersault and dlsCredlt all he has bee
doing with great publicity ana zeal lor tWent
years. Mr.. Beecher remains Republican; re
mains devoted friend OF the olack race; remain
vigorous advocate OF the right OF the negroe
"a the haIlot. and declares his disapprOVal