The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-15
THE LATEST SENSATION.

Hyacinthe has disappeared, is one of very differ
ent character The papers, secular aud religious,
come laden with details respecting the case Of
one Richardson, who was recently shot by one Nc
Farand for the crime Of seducing his wife. Let
US be excused from pOlluting our columns and in
sulting our readers by copying the disgusting min
utia Of this matter. There are, however, some
good reasons for not passing it by altogether The
sum of it is, that after Mcfarland wife became
estranged from her husband, it was understood and
declared by Richardson that he would marry her
as soon as she might be divorced. Having no
chance, as she thought, to effect this measure in
New FORK, where the facts were known and could
be produced, she went to Indiana, where, as Dr.
Moniort told US some years ago, it is about as easy
for person to get divorced as to get married.
There seems no reason to doubt the truth of his
statement, since this divorce was obtained not only
without hearing from the husband but even
without any knowledge on his part that it was APP
piled for After her return to New York, the
outraged husband shot the seducer, who fingered
about week and died The fact Of guilt is un-
doubted, and the circumstances under which the
whole matter was conducted are not only revolving,
but may well give rise to pungent questions con-
corning a certain part Of New York society called
fashionable, and which while pretending to be of
the most respectable sort, saye the mark , did yet
with the full knowledge of the facts, accept and
cherish two such guilty characters. Whatever
blame or guilt may be attached to the deed of Nc
Farland, it should ever be remembered that the
sixth commandment is no more sacred than the
seventh, or the tenth, and where the two last are
freely tempered WITH the day is probably far hence
when very strict observance of the first can be
expected.
But the main reason for any notice here Of this
affair, is the part which others took in it. First
we haye the notorious preacher of Radicalism,
Beecher, figuring as chief performer in marrying
this bad man, just as he was dying, to this bad
woman, whose divorce was such mockery of any
thing pretending to be law or justice as to make
it absolutely null and void in the sight of God and
all decent men. Then we have him not merely Off.
ciating at the funeral of Richardson, to which no
blame can be attached, but also delivering defence
and eulogiUm over him.
Next we have, mingling in these scenes, the
Yiee-President of the United States Schuyler
Coltax who has been ostentatiOusly paraded be-
fore the public, these years past as most proper
mantle soul Of radical honor and piety 1t
seems that Richardson and he had long been bosom,
frjaldS-a fact which may be taken for what it
bears on its face As soon as he heard this infa-
nous seducer was shot, he sent him a telegram of
sympathy, and fastened to his bedside. He was
among the foremost in helping Horace Greedy
(the Fourierite, OF sort of free love advocate of
thirty years ago. and others to introduce Beecher
4 IL
go through the solemn farce of q marriage cere-
mony. This is the same Golfax who lately bearded
Brigham Young in his den at Salt Lake City, and
the MormOns generally, for their ofense against
good matrimonial morals, and who read them a
round lecture as to what they must do, and what
he would have done to them if they refused
Very good preaehing-yery poor practice.
1t is very gratifying to find the leading journals
Of New York pouring hot shell into this detesable
exhibition and upon its exhibitors. 1t has already
frightened the Brooklyn performer into an attempt
at explanation. He pleads that he was misled by
Greedy and others, to the character of the par
ties-that he was not aware of what had been said
by newspapers, not being in the habit of reading
them or at least such subjects. That is to say,
this man, the breath of whose nostris consists in
dOOut III VI suoolp III AN6W L Ih
and elsewhere, was called to perform marriage
0ver trather than tor parties whose case was ring,
ing through all the newspapers and families of the
city, yet knew little or nothing about it, or any
objection to the shameful wedlock 'Credat ,Tt-
deosl'
People and things viii sometimes turn about,
and turn over wonderfully in the providence of
God Men and women viii generally find their
true characters after while, and have to accept
them, sometimes very strangely, unexpectedly and
uuwilhngy, at the hands Of those they may have
aattered aud deceived, and whose applause was
for the time an incense so precious.
About sixteen years ago Mrs. Harriet Beecher-
Stowe wrote the fiction of Uncle Toms Cabin.
She had her reward for it-pubic applause and
pile of gold But the thirst for such things, once
started, is not easily Quenched. Another fiction
was adyentured under the pretense Of truth, and
every effort made to whet the public appetite for
the forthcoming feast, which was expected to be
greedily deyoured, aud good price paid for the
dinner. But deprayed instincts and passions are
sure to work their own exposure. Never, proba-
by, has a character more completely revealed it.
self The attempt to stamp with iniamy the sister
and children Of Lord Byron, known and proved to
be pure and innocent, has completely recoiled
The whole world cries, shan,eP And one who
was little while ago exalted to the skies as the
embodiment of all that lady OF true delicacy and
purity ought to be, will henceforth find retired
place, as testimonial by the public of its convic
ton that it is not pleasant sign for her to unfold
under any pretense, such prurient desire for low
scandal.
In the winter Of IS64-5, another of the Beech
err declared publicly, if our memory serves, in re-
gard to a notorious old cut-thrOat, who was Justly
hung for his crimes near Charlestown, Jefferson
county, Va, that he hoped the day was not far
distant when he could take his stand under the
tree where be met his fate, and pronounce his Gu
Ioovy The sentiment was loudly applauded, and
we often hear, even now, concerning the poor old
executed wretch, that his soul is marching on. -
Ifany one under the garb Of q munster of the Cos
sI was to be brought in on the occasion mentioned,
to make mock Of sacred marriage, by blessing a
union of adulterers, there was eminent fitness that
he who headed the party prOclaiming John Brown
model martyr and hero, should be the very man.
However greatly public opinion and feeling are
shocked, and make an cutlery through the public
Journals, there are many who have been quiet
lockers on for these many years who viii probably
saw it is no more than might have been expected
II Is only the mans soul marching on. A mans
true character will work itself out some day.
THAT which is of the earth, is earthly" No nor