The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-01
Mr.. Beecher's Political Consistency.


From the ". Y. World.
The newspapers are giving currency to
recent letter by Mr.. Beecher, which ends in a
libellous fling at Governor Seymour-a libel
lOus fling of which no clergyman should be
guilty, and least of all Mr.. Beecher. We copy
the closing paragraph of his letter.
'Since all the men who sought to destroy this
Government are rallying around Seymour, IL is
fit that all the men who stood up for the Union
should gather about Grant IL is an honor that
have a chance to vote for such a man as Grant
No young man can we'll afferd TO throw away
his chance. Even If done, 1t ought to be in
favor of some better man than he, VINO through
all the years from 1850 to 1868, studied how TO
help Southern treason without mourning the
risks and pains of overt and courageous trea'
sonable acts. l am very truly yours,
"HENRY WARD BEEcHER"
This is the same Mr.. Beecher who, two years
ago. poured scorn upon the policy which he
has since supported, which General Grant sup
ports, and which Governor Seymour has
steadily opposed Mr.. Beecher was bullied
out of the good sense and manly sentiments he
then expressed by rebellious commotion in
the Plymouth Church. Is it quite becoming
in a minister of the gospel who skulked out of
a position he had deliberately taken for fear of
losing his salary-is it quite in accordance
either with decorum or proper sense of his
own personal infrmities for such man to
wantonly accuse Governor Seymour of disguis-
ing his sentiments from apprehension of con-
sequences What he falsely accuses Governor
Seymour of doing, Mr.. Beecher has himself
done in a manner as conspicuous as it was
pitiful and humiliatipg.
Two years ago a Convention of Soldiers and
Sailors was called to meet at Cleveland, in
support Of the reconstruction policy of Presi-
dent johnson. committee, consisting of the
late General Halpine, General Slocum, and
General Gordon Granger, sent to Mr.. Beecher,
then in his rural retreat at Peekskill, an ipvi-
tation to attend the Cleveland Convention and
act as its chaplain. MIR. Beecher replied in
letter OF great eloquence and vigor, declining
the invitation, but indorsing the objects of the
proposed convention, and arguing with admi-
rable force of logic in support of President
Johnson's policy of reconstruction. Nothing
of equal power has ever proceeded from
Mr.. Beecher's pen. All the Democratic
! papers printed and commended the letter.
The Tribune whined and stabbed him under
the fifth rib. "There is Sadness" it said, in
many hearts where the eloquent pastor of
Plymouth Church has been loved and honored
"a mournful consciousness that they have
trusted too confdipgly and loved uuwisely.'
| The Tribune went on to tell Mr.. Beecher that
there were many faithful clergymen who would
sooner die than change places with him. Mr..
| Beecher paid no attention to this; it did not
touch his enormous salary. But when, soon
after, he found Plymouth Church in storm,
| raging with wild denuncatiOn OF its renegade
pastor, he wilted and succumbed. And this
man has the face to appear in print and ac-
cuse frmer and mofe intrepid man of dis
7 guising his opinions for fear of personal con-
sequences.
Governor Seymour needs no defense against
such an accusation coming from any source
certainly none when it comes from such a
source.