The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-16
r z L T q I o U S /.
BEEcHER ON PUBLIC SENTIMENT.

pit-Fraud and Corruption Triumphant
Hard Knocks Mt tho Whislkey Ring
Assemblynen Crificised-Judgcs Weighed
and Found Wanting.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher last evening treated his
large and fashionable congregation to one OF the
racest sermons he has preached for . considerable
period. At times Indignation was depicted on all
sides, and again universal smile would sulruse
itself over the vast sea OF human faces. The sub
ject was unuuesiona6y popular, and was appa-
rently relIshed by every one in attendance. The
usual exercises having been concluded the reverend
gentleman read the text from twelfth Romans ninth
verse-"Abhor that which is eyil.n Having dwelt
at some length on what he considered the demora-
lizing public sentiment which prevailed
he adverted briefly to the mania which
existed during the Presidential contest. What was
the condition OF affairs at the present day. He
would say 1t was simply disgracefu. Presidential
pardons had only to be asked for in order TO be OBJ
tanned. man has only TO be a counterfeiter
swndler, the agent OF the so-called "rlngsn or an
ex-rebel and he Is sure OF pardon from the Presi-
dent. The general character of the applicants was
admittedly notorious Let men steal through the
customs counterfeit, rob and plumber; let them be-
long to ring" and they sure TO be on the right
path. Corruption holds direct influence hroughout
the land, while the state OF the community Is de-
moralized in the extreme. Gigantic dishonesty struts
forth unrebuked. And to what may this be attri-
buted: The money power OF the country. Then piage
and plumber yet the stern voice OF Justice the frank
expression OF honesty never reach their ears. Coun
terfeters and polished swndlers are received with
smiles ON all sides. Their friends meet them with
kindness and tokens OF esteem. Men are ashamed to
mention their ideas give utterance their indig-
nation, and thus TO degree acquesce in their VII
those public plunderers are committing stupendous
frauds. They viii not be allowed 10 be sunk and
Frustrated, and thus crime rides triumphant. but
there should be honest In the community 10 let
these punderers know that they are watched and
scrutni1ed. They should be singled out aud
denounced and hold up to public degradation.
Alas 1T was otherwise. Those very villains were
received with smiles, and honest men with whom
they sometimes mingled thanked them for coming
to see them and iet honored in their presence.
WhyY Because the plunderers had money enough
to so through the whole calendar OF ransgressi0ns.
We are not accustomed to honesty or bodily express
sing our convictions or applying such epithetS as
would finally crush the public robbers OF the time.
esty. If honest men did their duty there would be
no punderers. ("Amen," cried an Old lady, emphat-
lcay.) This government, like new boat, was built
on lucksand and could not stand so long as the
rup'on OF the present day was so garing. The
events within the last fourteen days had aroused
worthy indignation and given to sober minded
men causes for anxiety. No man was true to God
who would conceal such fraudulent doings or fail to
upset them lie was sorry to say that those persons
led as sheep to the slaughter. Their engineers
were native born men. 1t not the ignorant man
who was guilty and snubbed besides, but 1t was he
who sat IN his embelished house and planned, who
had hordes OF agents to scout aud skirmish and
carry Out designs-he was guilty, and should be en-
countered, wrcstled with and knocked down. Talk
about patriotism While men were mouthing large
words while men proclaimed sentiments That At
tractcd applause, they were cutting the garment OF
justice and taking sway the grand foundation OF
was another stage OF corruption in the egls.
lative halls. He did not think he sandered
when he said that the general rule to-day in the
Legislature was buying and selling. Money was the
cry and men were undisguisedly bought ana sold
Men formed plans cliqucs or rings, in which the
great public interests We're bought and sold amid
hi.iin MI
appalling character. Those men were not denounced.
Corruption triumphed. Every man who went to
solved in the great caudron OF dishonesty and II an
honest one did proceed there his voice was sc
e Of plu nc r. After ' datng at length Or
into the conduct OF their representatives the
speaker proceeded to demonstrate the fact that al
men sending forth an assemblyman should be thor
oughly acquainted with his character; for where
the known recipient OF bride was allowed t
pants in the crime When corrupt viilhn was
to Albany 1t must be taken that he represented
his constituents. Adverting TO the judicial system
Mr.. Beecher proceeded to say corruption does mo-
dwell only in Albany 1t travels In another direction
the last refuge q tSo, courts
nothing arouses my indignation, nothing so far
strike him down. The judges plumber and are
known to plumber. They make decisions and hold
them up for SALE They auction justice and grow fat
on brides. Our courts are becoming more and more
corrupt and our judges more and more Infamous.
Some time ago was written to by young man, the
son Of judge, who complained of observations
had made. Alas no one Will write now, for that
would be sign that some conscience still left.
1t Is useless to soy they care not But am worthy
OF notice; this will go into the newspapers will be
copied abroad, and worthy public sentiment Will
be aroused. They may revile, but their acts
will become known by men. The Judges will be
retcent, because they arc lost TO rectitude.
The community is 80 low In It's moral tone that ndg-
justice OF the courts, repeat Is rotten, rank and
foul. ! say are In more danger now than before
slavery was wiped away for truth, justice and hon
esty have departed. Our most sacred liberty and
institutions are being destroyed. Money rules su.
preme and our courts OF justice stink with corrup-
ton. We are in more danger now than by being
overwhelmed by slavery. Money ia our danger and
the corruption which follows IL. Friends and brch
rem, ] have borne my testimony, | have not
oyerstated anything; l have not been extrava-
CANT In marking out your line OF duty.
Your indignation must be aroused. You
must learn to speak that which you feel
and be known by discretion. Let right be pitted
against wrong. No matter under what circum-
feelings You must do your duty in all public
affairs do not think we are 30 far gone yet as TO
be wholly ilTevocabe. There may be still lightning
IN our community to strike forth and annhiate the
abuses that exist. We are not iRnoble enough 70
corruption that abounds. Ar0se the expressions Of
perish. 60 forward fearlessly and root out the
your Indignation. Redd the air by appealing tc
truth and cling to that which Is right Inc aeve
gentleman concluded with Nh earnest prs.,esss, aid
byrip having been sung the congregation 'QhVersed
wondering In what world they lived. -.