The Portland daily press., 1869-12-06

BEEoHER's REMARKS AT THE RICHARDSON
FUNERAL.-The remarks of Mr.. Beecher at the
funeral of the late Albert D. Richardson are the
subject of considerable comment, and we give
themI below in full: E.. 90 ~ -.....
II believed that this man had broken down
the garden walls and plucked the fairest flower
of neighbours garden, and that he was struck
dead in the heat of this moral crime 1 should
have no word to say. But silence would add
one more of those troubles that have fallen
upon him, and do not mean to be silent, but
to join myself to the number of those who be-
lieve this man to be true man, and that in
his past sad history he behaved himself moral
ly, demeaning himself SO that his conscience
was true before God, and trust one day his
name will be before men. cannot bear wit
ness to his private worth from nv own person
al knowledge; knew him without being ac-
quainted with him. But those who were NEST
intimate with him, those that cOunseled with
him step by step, both men and women, who
are themselves vlrtuOus and above reprOach
testify that both he, and she who is left to
mourn his absence, have always lived in 3 pru-
dental manner; that they behaved in the main
vrtuously and rightly; that they did not vio-
late those Christian canons Of morality which
are, and should be, as they always have been.
dear to the Christian heart of the community:
and believing, therefore, in the substantial in
tegrity and virtue of his course, was called.
and with alacity came at his bidding but day
or two before he died. went often to The
throne of grace during the anguish of INV
country's trial with those men who stood by
her most faithfully, and vowed that tbey
should be my brothers, and that as long as
1 lived, come what might, if they carried them
selves faithfully toward my native land they
should not lack friend in me-
There were two classes engaged in fighting
that rebellion-those who were in the field and
those who kept up the heart and spirit of the
county at home. Among the latter he who
lies here dead occupied a foremost place. and
did his work nobly and well. And am will
ling to stand by his side in this hour of dark
ness and dispute if it needs be, for my friends.
How strange is this hour that you and 1 see
Death settles all enmities; in ordinary cases
death reconciles bitterest foes; but here ia a
case where death creates enemies and leaves
no peace, even in the grave. The lion in his |
strength and in his own fastness is able to de-
fend himself; but no sooner has the cruel ar
row of the huntsman laid him low, than he is |
set upon by every vile thing, every beetle
every fly, every crawling worm. Now that he |
IS down, fresh flies are all around about him,
and death, that is to most men truce to old
enmities, is the very arraying of the battle
AGAINST him. 1t is a shame, sorrow and a |
uiss,ace mat 1t should be 10. All the more
hseo Is there, therefore, that those who knew
I ni.n' anu H5ew that he was a pure and true
his integrity, and should not let her who Ioars
his name 60 down in the darkness and tronhis
by reason OF the misapprehensions and Sian,
ders that have fallen upon him. He cares no
more for it himself; but oh! there are chiidran
who bear his name; there is the housebnid
which, much-loving, must such suffer much
and there are faithful friends who are witness.
IS of his integrity. For their sake we stand
here to-day, not for felon, but for man
worthy to be honored. In taking my fare well
Of this corpse, I believe take leave OF a man
whom one need not be ashamed to call friend.
Let us unite in prayer 4.L