New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-10
THE REV. HENRY YARD BEECHER.

CARD FROM PARISHlONER.
To the EDITOR Of The Tribune.
SIR: You cannot imagine with what pleasure
read the eighne editorial about Mr. Beecher In this
mornings TRIBUNE; especially the following portion
thereof The efforts making TO poison the public
mind against him are futile, and might as well be aoan-
doned."
Being member Of Plymouth Church, aud. while resld
ing in Brooklyn attending punctualy all the meetings
in the church edhce and lectureroom' remember wei
the following occurrence, for took part in the discus
sion:
Mr. Beecher was teaching the great Christian duty
OF doing good for evil and OF full forgiveness Of our enc
miles, when one OF the members OF the church asked
If according that rule. so great an enemy as Jeh
Davis should be forgiyen" "Ncs,' Mr.. Beecher
promptly replied and the magnanimity OF such an act
OF forgiveness the part OF our Government would
sneak more trumpettongued in behalf OF It's greatness
and power than would or could the hanging OF ten thou
sand such malefacors: honor Mr. Horace Greeley
he,rt nm 6eroninr one OF Dayiss bondsmcn; and II 10
had been necessary, had been asked 70 90 DO, l.
too would have become one Of his sureties.'
T led 10 quite a spirited debate. for number pres
sent believed that. although orHving our enemies IN
general was all we'll enough yet IN the ease OF Jtn ia
Sis ttc hcmp would be the best remedy for curing hs
fearful disease-treasOn against gov efnmeht Whc mao
done much for him. personally, as wen do ioI nloNS
Those Views Of Mr. Beecher's did not inure him IN the
eyes OF his people then. notwithstanding large
majority would have voted for the punishment OF Jeh
Davis, nor VIII the marriage by him Of Mr. Richardson
ton FOR We all know Mr. Bceoher % be ~ Ingenious a.
child and know that he never knowingly dld or Wl 40
any wrong whatever a.! hl, eIIoIs' Ae ANA'' H'''
arc Of the hcad-none Of the heart. .
We look upon him "a leader, and none OF ms expect
him 10 follow IN the wake OF any otheI mortar "a t
ever he says does ho honestly believes To be rg aud
ninety times out OF each hundred events prove MN
TO be near right, even In things when AT tne Lio
caused criticisms, that We nave All learned 10
calmly for the full development TO show how firmly
he stands by justice and right.
You dId right MI Editor. to say that The efforts now
making poison the public mind against HIM ale fuilet
and might as well be abandoned"
He passed through the "ordea OF fire" after writing
ms Cleveland Letter" but the smell OF scorchlng never
adhered 10 his garments.
have seen accounts in the papers OF the scene. and
occurrences connected with the cleveland LHttei,
which the charge u made Ihat he was comIeile Dy
his church members TO back down from his position then
taken or give up ms pulpit ms j. simply S aIe sysP
a meeting held 20 consider the affair by the church
Twice and only twice was there ever anything sad IN
any meeting OF the church, or the members thereof
upon that subject, and they were as follows:
A meeting was called for the purpose OF considering
the question OF buying the grounds and erecting the
Bethel Mission" building, on Hicksst near Fulton.
Some dreaded mourning tho responsibility They be.
eyed the object good and proper one, but could not
see where the 600 TO come from TO pay the bulls
They thought mat as the times were hard the chach
much had then just been realized Mr. Beecher N a
laughing manner remarked tha u necessary ne %oul'
write another Cleveland letter. when caused al,
present join IN hearty laugh but not one WORD OF
comment was uttered. - - q.
for the purpose OF advising with Mr. Beecher upon the
subject 81 his accepting the nomination which had been
made day two before OF him as candidate for dole
gate TO the Constitutional Convention.
one timld friend remarked that he would not nave
Mr. Beecher beaten for any earthly consideration, and,
therefore he advised him not 10 run for the Cleveland
letter would defeat him" To this Mr. Beecher replied
Well far that Is concerned AIN willing 10 take
all the responsibility. That Cleveland letter was ught,
and II IL be done would be done quickly
as my pen could write IT, You will all live 10 the day
when you will cheerfuly indorse It. am 80 very well
satisfied with ITS correctness that am willing to stand
or fall by It,"
utteranCe OF "a trimmer or tmeserveri Remember too,
thai uttered 20 those who were anxious that he
should become their candidate for position OF honor.
No no Mr. Beecher Is all right now, has always been
right with those who know HIM best who love him most
and whose good opinion he values most dearyhs own
Plymouth Church flock EERYA.
Manuel, N. J., Dec 7, 1869.