Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-14
Letter from New York.

1
chang the murderer" When the last ag-
ony was over and when the world knew of
the unholy act that had been consummated
by holy men at the victims bedside, there
went up such howl as would have start
led the seven sleepers. Beecher was de-
nOunced as the violator of divine law
rockingham was openly charged with a
strong leaning towards socialism in its
worst form, and the men and women who
sanctioned the improper intercourse be-
tween Richardson and Mrs Mcfarland were
branded as Free Lovers. Here is what
follows and if this letter should be devot-
ed solely to the subject, you must bear in
mind that it is to-day, and will be for many
days to come, the most prominent of all
topics discussed in relation to our modern
civilization and the laws governing society.
The public scandal then has resulted in,
first-opening the eyes of the people to
the fact that there is class of citizens, So
called, who have no regard for the sanctity
a religious examination into the response
bility of clergymen. Mr. Beecher, Mr..
rockingham, and Mr.. Field, the latter an
editor of the Evangelist united to perform
the marriage ceremony between Richard
son and woman who is certainly. accOr-
ding to the scriptures which these preach
hOlI limo n no 10, of
New York, the wife of another man. The
public say that, on the facts admitted by
both sides, the ceremony thus performed
is invalid; that it has no moral. no legal
force; and that no rights have been gained
or lost by it. These prominent clergymen
are now very much annoyed at the result.
Mr. rockingham, after his sermon on
Sunday, said:
"Of Mr. Richardson | knew very little
| of the woman | knew nothing. Their
/ friends had known for years gentlemen
and ladies | counted them, and do still, OF
unspotted character, unStained integrity
| of irreproachable truth. What they told
me | believed. | still believe Returning
on Tuesday afternoon to my home, | found
a letter telling me that Mr.. Richardson was
diving; that there was not a chance in 8
thousand that he would recover; that his
lawyer, a distinguished man in his profes
sion, a man well known for his high lega
abilities and personal character, had pro
nounced IL necessary that the marriage should
take place."
Mr.. Beecher said to a reporter: Il wa.
requested to marry Mr.. Richardson anC
Mrs Mcfarland by my intimate friend
Horace Greedy. In order to give his re
quest as much weight as possible, and be
ing unable to call upon me personally, h
sent to me his associate, Mrs. Calhoun, o
the Tribune with letter of introduction
endorsing her to the fullest extent, ant
stating that she was fully cognizant of al
the facts in the case. I listened to Mrs
Calhoun attentively, and she not only as
sured me that Mr. Richardson's conduct ha
been 6lameless, but that Mrs Mcfarland ara
roman 50 spotless that 1t lcas almost
mockery to praise ber-a derout pure, GOO
1coman as erer 6reathed. She assured M
that these f,co lored each other dearly, an
that there ,cas no reason, earthly or hearenh
lchy they shouid not be united particular
under the circumstances ofthe case"
According to this it would seem tina
Mr.. Beecher fell into his error through lac
of Judgment. Whether "the circumstance
in the case referred to by Mrs. Calhoun
were the same as those which led the di;
tinguished lawyer to pronounce the maj
rage necessary, Mr.. Beecher did not say.
Mr.. Field will offer his apology or bray
|, public opinion, in the next number of tn
Evangelist.
In addition to what l have reporte
above, Mr.. rockingham also said
"a divorce had been obtained. 1t WI
supposed to be as legal as such divorc,
usually are 1t is no uncommon thing ft
clergyman to marry people who are d
yOrced have done it myself"
/ should like to know whether, if Gle
gyman is asked to marry man and W
man, one of whom has been divorced,
is not bound, in the interests of publ
; morality, to ascertain that the divorce W
legal, and that it was for a cause which b
= own conscience would hold to be just:
+ Mr. rockingham, in the same adore
D turned sayagely upon those who accus,
n him of tampering with the best interests
society. He called his assailants I'll
n greatest enemies of social order" and d
: clared that the true crime against socie
/ is to fudge in advance ofjustice."
Now in this very argument he decid
the case against himself He is the o.
h who judged in advance of justice; for
championing the cause of Richardson
magnifed the crime of Mcfarland Al
: when one judges in advance of justice, dc
3 it make any difference whether he is for
h against a criminal? Is not the evil rest
:, the same?
l. The opinion of the great public is SON
II times rash, often merciless but in the 10
lie run it is always just. In this case it h
taken Its usual course. 1t is now conf
nearer and nearer the truth and justit
= The people are forgetting Richardson,
II noring his paramour, and willingly leavi
- Mcfarland in the hands of the law to
judged by a jury of disinterested men, I
by friends of the dead man, not by pub
characters who must justify their acti
before the world by the exercise of tn
10 wonderful powers of OratOry and logic
IL Our attention is being more and more CT
Mt centrated on principles, and on that eli
y of principles to which mainly this crime
he to be traced In public estimation
Re marriage is as much to be condemned
is the murder. Mr. Beecher and Mr.. Fro
ingham have both been heard in explal
ton of their conduct in the matter; bu
Is is only truth to say that their explanati'
- have been so feeble that the public
as more indignant than ever. Before this
or ly affair is finally settled great many p
m. pie will be heartily ashamed of themselN
~, no From the clergymen everybody has a ri
,r- to expect an open, honest and full com
Ic- sion. All that is left for the other gui
mt actors-and some of them were unpard
see ably SOS to rest quietly under the ST
in ma of having aided and abetted two PEG
en- in the preparation of an act violative
to law and decency; in bringing one Of
ses actors to horrible death in making
m life of an injured husband miserable;
on in stultifying and degrading two emin
ire divines who have hitherto been above
o. proach.