The New York herald., 1874-08-16


Sloan ,lurch neditatlng upon the effect OF 'he
ADvVe publication.
Rev. DR.. w. G. SteeI's Views.
The Rev. DR.. william G. Steel, the pastor OF tho
Fleet street Methodist Episcopal church. late Of
Beekman Hill, N. T., and prominent as temper
ance advocate, was visited last evening, at his
residence adjoining the church in Fleet street, by
HERALD reporter, who collected his views upon
the popular bearings of sentiment regarding the
Beecher statement. The reverend gentleman
said he was glad to have an opportunity to gave
public expression to his views upon the case.
RRPoRTsR-What win be the eneci Of the pub
lished defence Of M. Beccheri
Mr.. SrEEL-Well, you win md tho Brooklyn
clergymen are all in favor of Mr.. Beecher. have
only been in this city since last spring, but ind
during this period Of excitement thai the general
opinion OF the Christian people has been favorable
to him, believing him to be entirely innocent. Mr..
Moulton and Mr.. Tllton have used him. and the
feeling against them nnd Is very strong have
been about the town considerable to-day, ana
have heard this matter discussed; and the unani-
nous opinion upon all sides Is tnat the statement
OF Mr.. Beecher is full aud explicit and complete
v1ndicatIOn. The brother OF Mrs. Tilton, Mr.. Rich
independents before Mr.. Bowen purchased
IT, was at one time sunday School
Vng % n my as M
as a oright-eyed little girl who used to be an AZ
tendant at the SANDS street Methodist Episcopal
she grew up and married Mr.. nlton sne was very
proud Of her choice. He was young and ambitious
lie. She lacked decision Of character. however,
but was loving, gentle aneclionate. Iul OF honest
II naasne her to 'S. be- she 0 had gre great aa
nlrauon FOR her pastor, Mr.. Beecher. There
S %ns and % D' vspy
about every that Ia said on the subject Of the
scandal feeling grateful for any expression In his
night when several Of his parishioners were pres.
ent think his statement is Q very clear one and
was over at the h,deDemdent ONCE just before Til.
ION left At that time Is was just IKE the firing OF
usSe's Letters came my
who was then connected with the paper, 10 regard
to Mr. Ttltons moral character, he had so fallen on
To say any thing aDout 1t. Eggeston shortly alter
took Nlton's place, as his heterodox articles mad
West. 1ilton would not accede to the request Of
Mr.. Bowen and his associates, and having SUI
preme control OF the paper. wroie Whatever he
chose.
REpoRrEn-what do you think win be the erect
OF the report Of the committee when made public
Mr. srEEi-I think 1t will be accepted by Mr..
Beecher's friends, and there are large number
who count Mr.. Beecher innocent The pubic gem
orally will be very lenlent toward him. There
VIII, Of course, be a strong anti Beecner party-a
VIII be In the minority, though.
REPoRrER-Do you think toe blackm mail illusions
III the defence published are true9
Mr.. STEEL Yes. Mr.. Iilton received s., 600 ON
the Union and $4,000 on the independents and he
also wrote articles for the Recolution wnich made
his income about 1000. Now, take this from him
suddenly and where does ir leave the man
Thton was an elegant writer. and when he started
the Golden Age IL seemed 10 have good clrcula-
ton. TOOK Il, but soon gave 1t up.
REPoRTER-Think you Titon ana Montop will
E Mr.. sTKHlMi Ell suppose sup they viii, but the sympa.
thy is with MIR. Beecher and his statement will De
MT @ oss says IS ne ra,1sr SaESS ns
know, and excites sympathy Tor him. The black
mail viii Ds brought out. WEy, Carpenter tried TO
get money from HIM on the plea OF sending Triton
Co Europe. The very idea OIL 1t Is abnorreut This
is one OF the strongest Methodist churches In the
city, and the people stand firmly Tor Mr.. Beecner.
Last sunday night preached o sermon, taking or
my text Galatians vi, 1:-"Brethren, II man be
such one in the spirit OF meeSness, considering
thyseif lest thou also be tempted" read the
editorial in the HERALD on the gathering OF the
Ravens" and consider 1t one or the beet articles
tlat has been written upon the SUBJECT.
A Colored Presbyterian Clergyman.
representative Of the HERALD last evening
interviewed Rev. Henry Highland Gsrnett, the
well known eloquent and popular colored Prespy-
terian minister, at the iatters residence on Amity
street, near sullivan, in relation to the Beecher-
Titon controversy. The following conversation
ensued:-
REpoRr.R-Have yon read Mr.. Beecher's recent
statements
Mr. GARNETT--I have read everything that re.
ates to the matter. 1t has had painful interest
to me as u man and Christian minister, for was
friend TO both parties. ior they have been friends
to me and my people. l am not biased, for In my
view OF the case 1 have endeavored to be able, at
the conclusion OF the testimony, 10 form correct
opinion as to the merits.
REPoRTER-Do you think Mr.. Beecher guilty.
AAuA
oped, Judging from ali the testimony, am unable
TO see anything that could convince nae OF Mr.
Beecher's guilt.
RRpoRrER-You have not allowed any OF the de.
yelopments to prejudice your mind in iavor Of Mr..
Beecher, have yOus
Mr. GARNETT-NO, OF course not DO not wish
20 condemn Mr. Tilton exactly when ailirm my
honest belief in Mr.. Beecher's innocence Both
MIR. T1lton and Mr.. Beecher, for many, many years,
have been my friends and friends OF my race.
Their service In the anti-slavery cause Ia too well
known ana cannot DO disregarded or forgotten.
But looking without prejudice at Mr. Beecher's
statement must say think It furnishes
CoMPLETB vINDIcArIoN,
an entire refutarton OF the charges brought
against him.
REpoKrER--n would seem natural for one 10
condemn Mr.. niton II he believed him guilty OF
such gross ISLANDERS against the fair name and
mme OF Mr. Beecher, would IL mott What can
excuse hs course,
Mr. GARNYrT-I believe Mr. Ttton u mistaken
There B
HIDDEN HAND soMEwHBRR
and he has been instigated-perhaps driven-by
secret party to accuse Mr.. Beecher. That hidden
hand has famed the nams In secret and urged
him on in secret and now is awaiting the result
OF the bitter war.
REPoRTER--Do you shink is possible that your
theory Is correct - ,
Mr. GARNRTT-I DO believe Il to be 90 Il u
quite possible that rltOn he's not been himself
lie is an ardent poetical iudivtdual-tskes aorld
| view Of almost everything he looks a. Juoee
| connection win the class OF people ne mas 0I
late years associated with that his IDEAS, 70 SPEAK
| the 11lton OF other yeara when ne wrote thss
| naming biography Of Victoria woodruff He nss