New-York tribune., 1874-09-19

PERSONAL RELATIONS 10 NIX. BbEChEh
l will begin by showing the kindly nature OF
my personal relations with the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher down to July 1870 the date OF Mrs nltont
confession Of their criminal intimacy; disproVng by
authentic documents the charge that was animated
toward him by vndictyeness or any other hostile
feeling.
First: During his absence in England, Mr.. Beecher
sent to me- under date OF Sunday Oct 49, 1863 the long
and memorable letter which Mrs. stowe afterward in
corporated her biography Of him. In this letter he
says:
MY DRAR THEODORE: Should die on sea or
land wanted to say TO you who have been near aud
dear 70 me, &c.
The single phrase which have italicized Is sufficient
10 chow that Mr. Beecher, while travelling in foreign
land having left behind him greater multitude OF
friends than most men could have claimed. and seeking
TO choose from a these TO be the custodian OF bis
special and secret thoughts. chose me- Aud his anec'
tionate reason for doing is stated Dy hlmseh 70 Do
that was near and dear TO him."
Second: Two years later, the arising OF political
differences between Mr.. Beecher and me- resulting In
nv publicly crtcising his course, addressed to him
private letter Nov. 80, 1865 containing my heartfelt
assurance that these differences did not becoud my love
for him. In this letter said:
III should die leaving you alive ask you TO love my
children for their fathers sake who has taught them 70
reverence you and 10 regard you as the man of men,
The above tribute derives the greater force because
paid 1t to Mr. Beecher when at political vari-
ance and in public antsgoDism.
Third Three years later he sent TO me GIFT copy OF
Norwood" inscribed by his hand with the follow
ing afectionate wordsi
THEODORE TuroN-
who greatly ENCOURAGED tue aatno to begin ana perse
seyere-with the afectiOnate regards VI
HENRY WARD BREcHER.
March IS. 1868.
distinctly recall several warm illusions which Mr.
Beecher in conversation with me at that PERIOD made
10 the good cheer with which he said inspired him dur
ing the composition Of that book.
Fourth: A year later such the respect in which
held Mr. Beecher that spent money than could
afford IN order to possess his portrait painted BY the
first artist Of our day. The following receipt VIII
speak for itself:
Received from Theodore Tlton by draft from Aurora,
portrait OF the Rev. Henry Ward Beecner. WN PAGE
April !. 1862.
STAMP canceledJ
Mr. Beecher that he sat times for this
portrait at my request-a fact which puts to flight the
charge that either he Mrs. Tlton regarded his
enemy or as anything but his admiring friend.
FYhh: In the Winter OF lS6e7O published volume
called sanctum sanctorum," which contained pumer'
Gus aectouae references Mr. Beecher, OF which tho
following taken from editorial OF mine 10 Ihs ids
pendent is q sufficient specimen-one OF many
with grateful pride look back TO our joint connec
tion with that good In this Journal as golden Pc
Rod in our life aud lapor'
Such words the above are she unmstaxaDie uipuso
OF q friend 70 friend.
sirh: Coming down still later, received from VIII
liam LLOYD Garrison o letter dated Roxbury, April o.
1870 from which quote the following line:
You say Of Mr. Beecher shat he would honor the pres
dency OF any socety.
This brief extract shows that not only honored Mr..
Beecher myself. but sought 10 make my friends honor
him likewise.
ssrsmM. On the 18th Of Mayi 1870. public and ira
ternai correspondence passed between Mr. Bcesher ana
me In our capacity presidents Of two sufase soeie-
ties holding their public meetinEs simusaueoa'v ~
New-York and still possess bis sutoTrapn letter seos
TO me on that kindly OCCASION have gwen tne ABOVE
brief extracts (which might multiply 10 show the
uniform friendliness Of my feeling toward MI Beecher
down 70 the time when tho discovery was made TO me
:. "a. t.,sI .s..u, on the honor Of my house. These
eytdsnces disprove Mrs. rltou's extraordinary and
oot,,ous charge, whereinspeating Of what abe calls
Tie Last ten yeass" whose stDgs and pans she daily
sehooIed hersef 70 bury and fosRive"sbe said shse
one OF thess "stipgs and pains" wss tho fass
that her husbaaA hsd mace sn "siwsss seSy