Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-07-24

TuE SHAMELESS CHARACTER OF MS IRA
DUCERs-A TRIBUTE TO MIR. BEECuER-
SECOND JUp As-AN INTERESTING HIS
TORY or THE INDEPENDENT AND ITS ED.
TORS = MIR. TILroS ArFEARs THE
DLATH or THE sLANDER-TIII MEAN
Isl MAN IN TIE WORLD.
New York, July 18th, 1873.
1t is credititablc 10 the newspaper
press, that the rumors affecting the good
name of Henry Ward Beecher, which
were put in circulation by disrepuia-
bic weekly journal, some eight months
ago, have elected little comment, and
have been universally discredited. The
eminent divine ihns rnihlossiy assailnd,
has maintained throughout, the diguiiicd
silence which best comported with his
self-rcspcct. "Who excuses accuses, :"
and the effect of a denial of allegations
too gross for human crcdulity and too
absurd for discussion, would have been
10 lift a couple of brazen romances into
adven iitious consequence.
But the public Indignation against the
shameless scandal-mongcrs, who sought
to give currency 10 a licentious sheet. By
spicing ii with slanders upon the most
eminent clergyman OF our times, has
been from the beginning, pronounced
and emphatic. Mr.. Beecher is popu-
lar idol. Elevated. by his great talents
and matchlcss eloquencc above the envy
or rivalry OF contemporaries in the cleri-
cal profession, his broad humanity, his
genial aiiability, and his ingenious ma
turc have served 10 endear him 10 all
classes OF people, and 10 make his name
and fame precious 10 men oi every creed
and In every station in life. The wrath,
which was provoked by the attempt to
blscken a reputation held in such honor
and reverence found expression in de-
maud for the speedy arraignment, con-
yiction and punishment of the guilty
parties. But prosecutions for libel In
city, wherein libellous insinuations con-
siitute the daily pabulun with which at
least two morning journals Of extensive
circulation, regale their sensation loving
readers, generally come 10 naught. Ii
is not surprising, therefore, that New
sign brace Of hali-crazy women to the
penitentinry, who were merely imitat-
ing, albeit indiscreetly the example of
male "professors of journalism who
"bear false witness against their neigh
Dor" six days in the week, and employ
their intervals of leisure in writing hOm-
lilies to college graduates on the beau
ties of truth, and the importance OF in
flexible adherence to "the golden ruleW
The women were not tried on the
charge of libelling Mr.. Beecher. but for
uttering gross obscenities, in the paper
in which the lies about him originated.
Neither that gentleman or his immedi-
ate personal friends had any part or lot
in the prosecution. They have never
felt that he stood in need of vindication.
His character is sufficient answer to
all charges from irresponsible and
worthless sources. For more than q
quarter OF a century he has been the
pastor of one OF the largest churches in
the country. During that extended Pc
riod his life has been an open book which
all men might read. In visitings or
journeyings at home aud abroad, in the
lecture room, on the political platform.
in the editorial chair, in the authors
study, in the pulpit and in the cOnfer-
ence meetings, he has led an existence of
tireless activity and conspicuous indus
try. He has had as little opportunity
for privacy as for leisure. He has lived
constantly under the scrutiny OF the
public eve. How admirably he has
borne himself in all these years, the
faith. the homage, the affection of his
parishoners, aye of the great communi-
ty ia which he dwells, tOuchingly at est.
Aduiation has not spoiled him, praise
has not abated his christian humility,
nor stimulated his self cOnceit, He is
the same simple hearted, kindly nstured,
generous and sympathetic lover Of his
fellow men that he was twenty-seven
years ago, when he took charge of the
little parish in Brooklyn, which, under
| his inspired pastorate, has become such
a power in the land. His ministration:
have borne abundant fruit in the liberal
contributions with which his people
have aided every enterprise Of philsn-
thropy in behalf of which appeal hai
been made to them. They have giver
freedom to many slave in the dark day
before the country was free-hsve
sent Bibles and Sharpes rifles to TIN
struggling heroes on the Kansas bordel
have supplied ammunition to the gal
liant soldiers who conquered rebellion
and comforts TO the hospitals in whicl
the wounded sought refuge and healing
The cause of right never pleaded +
them in vain. There may have been Al
occasional flaw in their orthOdoxy-I d
not profess to be an expert in such mat
ters-but OF their catholicism in goo
works, there are nyriads Of gratefu
witnesses.