The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-28
BEECHER TO BEECHER-
Reply of Edward Beecher to Henry Ward
Beecher.


Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., of Gaesbure,
H., has addressed letter, through the Chicago
II abune, TO his brother, Rev. Henry Wald
Beeehor, in reply 10 the celebrated letter OF the
latter upon the question of reconstruction He
charges that that letter "implies this false as
SUMPTION that there are some who are not in
favor of speedily restoring the seeded States.
II is an argument against such.n After critically
reviewmO it, he says:-
'Do rot deceive yourself by the assumption
that the peculiarly OF your position Is that Won
are in favor OF the immediate restoration OF the
seeded states, and that herein you agree with
Johnson and differ with the Republican party.
This assumption is untounded. The RepuOl-
cans are as much i'm favor OF the immediate res
toIation of the seeded states as you, or as
johnson. The point of difference is this:-
johnson insists on admitting aristocratic de5-
potisms organized by leaders Of the Rebellion,
clothed with peculiar and extraordinary power,
and sub iecting loyal men to tDer sway; and
Congress- does not. In this antagonism, on
which side are YOU There is no middle ground.
Are you against such despotisms? Then say so
boldly, and denouuce them and their author as
they deserve"
Doctor Beecher accounts for his brothers sin
eular obliquity on the ground that one portion
of divine truth has become unbalanced in his
mlnd making his theories of recons truc;ion
one-sded and false. These are the duties of
forgiveness, confidence IN evil-doers, maona-
nmty, and overcoming evil with good "On
these you we're speaking" be remarks, when
you denounced the policy of Thaddeu5 Stevens
as satanic. You assiened no specific reason for
your denunciation, but the Implication was
strong that 1t was because it did not agree with
your ideas of maguanmity, forgiveness, and
overcoming evil with good. You Would restore
the Rebels to power greater than that of loyal
men, honor them, conGde in them, royalty load
them with benefits and gifts, and then WORK
through them in their prosperity to elevate the
freedmen, whom you have stripped OF all power,
This. you think, is Cbrist-lke, and any policy of
penalty, deprivation, and restriction to wards
traitors is satanic"
In conclusion Doctor Beecher says:-
80 far is il from being true that there is no
dancer OF retrOgressiOn, that ii the policy of
Johnson prevails, the South will have a balance
OF power. IN connection with Northern allies;
and by following his principles rs to CONGRESS-
up to their logical issues, viii be able to in
| validate all the legislation of the war, restore
slavery, assume the Rebel debt and repudiate
that OF the nation. If all the States have an
| times; if all the amendments TO the Constitu-
| tion Eshould be initiated in a Congress COM
| posed of the representatives OF all the States
| to be valid; If the present Congress only as
sumes to be q Coreress, hanging on che out
| skirts of the GoVemment-and all this John
| son aud his partisans have taught-what surer
| premises are needed TO lead logically to all
| the results which have been specified? And
| are we to trust to the honor or moral in
| tegrity OF those who through perjury initiated
| the Rebellion, to avert the result? There is
| no safety but IN firm adherence to the funda
| mental principles of justice and honor. If we
| deviate from them God will make our sin our
punishment.
| "If we believe that there is God, and chat
as nations SOW so shall they reap-if Justice
| honor and humanity arc not mere empty
| names, let us not dare to do it.
| Il am your alfectiOnate brother,
edward BEECHER.n