Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-10-26
s. s. Cox on Henry Ward BecCher.
HON. S. s. COX.
eec, essc., deo.


The great Democratic Wigwam in Court
street, Brooklyn, was crowded on Wednes-
day evening, October 18th. in consequence
of the announcement that the recent
speech of Rev. HENRY WARD BEEcHER
would be reviewed and criticised by Hons.
S. Cox. The meeting was called to order
by Judge ID. p. BARNARD. ..4-fI
Mr.. Cox, at his appearance on. the plat
form, was warmly greeted, and, upon be-
ing presented, spoke as follows: -.t ...
..5 SPEECH OF HON. s. 8. COX. -
FELLOW CITIZENS There are some cir
cumstances which surround me this even
| ing that are calculated rather to solemhize
the mind. Our honOred friend, John Van
Buren,, is no more; but his last wish, al
most in sight of our beloved and distracted
country, was for the success of the Consti-
tutionai party of this country in its strug-
gle for power. [Applause.l 1t is not alone
the tramp of armies, the clash of sabres,
and the boom Of cannon which make war.
Certainly these may be absent, and peace
NAV be absent with them. The anxiety and
fear of war are worse to credit, commerce,
and contentment than its reality. Men
| even hailed the gun at Sumter, which ush--
| cred in our great conflict, as a kind of re-
| lief from suspense and agony. Repose is
the craving of the American heart to-day;
but why is it denied? Why do such bitter
threats and horrible forebodings invade all
minds? The progress of the human race
| in civilization is not tracked in blood. The
paths of advancement are ways Of pleas
antness, and all her paths are peace. Not
less divine seems that dispensatiOn which
has supplied the place of the dead Presi-
dent with the courage of Andrew johnson,
|who, unweaponed, bears the olive, spares
the rash wrOng-doer,
| 60 giving widest scope,
| To Christian charity and generous hope"
Not less divine seemed the inspiration
which led Henry Ward Beecher to pen his
noble letter for peace and immediate union,
| on the 30th of August last, which lifted the
nation to heavenly heights by the grandeur
| of its spirit and the justice OF its policy.
| Alas how changed from that Mr.. Beecher
who. on Monday night, before crowG OF
partisars, draggleu his weary verbiage in
| recantation of his sentiments and in SLAM
| der of the men who still uphold them. 1t
| had been intimated that would review the
extraordinary speech of that reverend
gentleman, frankly say like him. He
| had won hosts of generous friends outside
of his own circle, by his courageous de-
| ferise of patriotic and christrian truth.
| would not, save in defense of men as good
and true as ever fought for the flag or
| loved the whole land, repel his unjust as
PERSONS. Yet | am reminded to be careful
| how Itouch the clergy. When DR.. Sach-
overall was prosecuted in England, it was
| ha W O
fense [laughterE aud Brother Beecher has
more than women to back him. Besides,
am little chary of what L say about the
| clergy. Seventeen years ago, when scarce
| ly arrived at what might be termed the age
| of manhood, ! said and wrote some things
harsh, unjust aud untrue about the Catho-
| lie cardinals and hierarchy at Rome. My
| informant l had supposed perfectly relia-
| Bile. learned afterwards that these things
were,not true, and issued new edition of
nv book, correcting the former mistakes.
Yet, this morning find quotations from
my first writings copied into a newspaper
of New York-idithout the statement of
their correction-to prejudice me with
those among whom / live. So you see one
need be very ;heedful how they approach
the clergy. But If | ever find that in my
remarks | do injustice to Mr.. Beecher |
nv juvenile literature. Applause. Mr..
Beecher appears before the public in the
role of an agitator again. We were in
hopes he was about to join hands with
those who desired the fruits of peace.
| Peace has been the peculiar policy and
boast of the United States since its exist
ence. Foreign and civil war have been the
constant theme of our statesmen, and al
ways to warn against them. Road the mes
saUes of our Presidents. Beginning with
| Washington and ending with Lincoln, run
ming through them all, as II it were silver
thread of light inter twisted with the tra-
dtions of our people, peace has ben en-
Joined as the sacred duty of economy, Re-
publicanism, and humanity. To rebuild
and reassure-this is the duty of the hour,
the patriotism of to-day. [Applause.l
1t would seem that every good man of
every party would agree to this. The Re-
publican candidate for Lieutenant Gov
ernor of New York, General Woodford,
when serenaded in this city, said to you, in
| beautiful language: "New that the old
banner waves in triumph over all our broad
| land! now when the crimson fields of
| struggle are golden with the peaceful
| harvest of autumn, comes the duty of the
hour. 1t is the duty of reconciliation"
| And, as if in echo of the national yearning,
even the incongru 'us Radical Conventional
Philadelphia, in some sort, recognized this
duty of the hour. Throughout all the hu-
initiating incongruities of Mr.. Beecher's
recantation, he seemed to feel the need of
reconciliation. Perhaps he had read the
lesson taught by Richard Baxter: "Then
/ Thought that the conciliators were but
| Ignorant men, that were willing toplease
all, and would pretend to reconcile the
world by principles which they did not pn
derstand themselves; l have, since, per-
ceived, that If the aniableness Of peace and
concord had no hand in the business, yet
greater light and stronger Judgment
usually are with the reeoncilers, than with
either of the contendlng parties" ZAP
4 plause.
First. Il is urged by the Radicals that
l reconciliation should be postponed, at least
for the present, while their opponents are
eager for it now. If there are no reasons
| Sufficient for delay, either in the interests
Of white or black, Federal or State Govern
4 ments; in the light of economy and, pros
.perity,. then the President and Beecher
/ 1August 3O) have the argument. If the
l1neace proposed by the Presidents plan will
Ianot betenduring, and the Union be again