The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-07-20
From the Christian Union.
HENRY WARD BEECHER DE.
PINES HIS POSITION.

From the Christian Union.l
HENRY WARD BEECHER DE-
s FINES HIS POSITION.
POLITICAL CONSISTENCY.
The Cincinnati Commercial
takes us to task for not advocat-
ing Mr.. Greeley's election:
Few people expected to see
Bescher fighting against his old
friend and co-laborer Greeley.
Be cher has often praised Greeley
from his pulpit, % . model for
young men, an example at industry
ixHgrity, and devotion TO princi>
pie. But now be has found out
that these characteristics do not fit
him for the Presidency Perhaps
he believes Grant to be man of
greater industry, higher integrity,
and more unflinching devotion to
principle. II he does, he is jus,i~
fed in fighting for Grant against
Greeley. If he dosen't how hap
pens he to be fighting on that
side.
AIR. Greeley and bis friends are
fighting General Grant, and We
refuse to Join them. We believe
that Grant will during the next
four years, make q better Presi-
dent than Mr.. Greeley would
much az we estimate his good
qualities. We see no reason for
changing our candidate, and many
against it. chiefly, and notably
this: That we should break up
party that, with all it's faults, is
prudent in administration sound
in principles, and safe in the vital
point Of our affairs-our fiscal in
terests; and bring in an inchoate
macs of new men without agree
ment among themselves, not cohe-
ring to any central and dominant
( principles, but subject to intestine
conflicts out of which no one can
tell which element will come into
ascendeacy; whether the advan.
ced notions Of Liberal Republic
ans, or the conservative views of
War Democrats. or the malignant
reactionary tendency of the old
Pro-slavery Democratic party
We don't fight Greeley But we
do contend against breaking up
the Republican party, and putting
the Government into the hands OF
the Democratic party.
Beecher himself vas once spok-
en- of as q candidate for the Presi-
dency. We feel sure that if he
had received the nomination
Greeley would have supported him
OF course this is no reason why
Beecher sEoult. support Greeley,
but is reason why he should trca,
him fairly.
If Mr. Greeley had received the
nomination of the Republican party
we should have supported him
But what if Mr. Greeley had re.
manned in the Republican party
and Mr.. Beecher received sbs
nomination Of the. Democratic
! party, would Greeley have sup
ported Beecher then The Tri.
buDe would have BEEN summer
threshing-hoor, and no fail woult
have been long enough OF tousI
enough TO beat Beecher small a.
the very dust. 1
Beecher is not reliable guide i,
politics. He has changed groun,
repeatedly on public questions
: After Andy Johnson's accession h.
came out in favor of my policy,
including the Constitution, ant
wrote strong lie ter in support oil
it. There was a tremendous up
roar about this in Beecher's churcl
When it was at its height, Beeche
suddenly turned against Andy
policy and wrote . strong letter il
| opposition to it. The ungotll,
laughed, which WAS only whs
might have been Expected o
them.
This is absurdly wrong in it
facts. But it is not, perhaps wort
while just now to go into the de
tailed correction. Suffice it to sa
that Mr.. Beecher has not sci him
self up as guide in politics. H
has always sought to perform tt
common duties Of citizenship. an
to contribute the best thoughts b
had for the solution of dangerou
!. questions, and all the iufiuenc
he had to secure liberty for all, i
this Republican land. Doubles
he made mistakes; but there wa
one mistake which he never mad,
and tina. is to refuse to change hi
ground when he saw q mistak,
from an absurd notion of consist
J ency. The only wise consistenc
J compatible with the human condi
, ton is in the constancy with whic
one seeks tho great ends of justic
, liberty and intelligence in til
whole common wealth. One ma
err in judgement as TO the be.
means Of securing such publ
ends. 1t is honorable to CORE,
Q his mistakes. To claim infallibili
ty, and refuse to change ground,
to allow diseased vanity to "a
: up ones moral sense. -
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