Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-10
Letter from Miss Beecher.

In the New York Tribune Of Saturday morn
ing the following letter appears:
Until recently had supposed that the sccu-
lar, and especially the religious press, would
maintain the sacred rule OF justice that estab-
lished character is full evidence against unpro-
voked attacks. | had supposed that charges
against such character would be treated as
SANDER till fully proved.
II am the elder sister of seven ministers of
Christ, OF whom | can say that from their early
childhood never knew Of au impure word or
act by any one of them Aud therefore, when
the one who from early youth has proved "a
model lover and husband was accused by a
hap!ess woman, tortured into sef-accusation in
temporary insanity. and | supposed established
character was his sure protection, and felt it an
insult to him, his family, aud his church that
IAN investigation" was demanded to prove bis
innocence.
And it has been with shivering sense of
danger to every delicate and pure woman that
it is SO often claimed that 10 this case there
must be suspended judgment" | regard
this treatment Of my brother as declared war
Oh womanhood. 1t is practically saying, let
any vile woman or vller man accuse any lady
of the most disgusting crime aud she shall be
suspended before the public as guilty until she
proves her innocence. ln the public papers
already pure and distinguished ladies are being
assaulted as is my brother aud | ask every hon.
orabe man who has mother, wife, or sister
he respects to come to the rescue by maintain
ing that all persons shall be treated as SANDER
Gus who circulate improved attacks on estab-
lshed character
This is not written 10 aid of brother who is
sure to be still more belo, I'd and respected than
ever. 1t is an appeal for the protection of my
sex. CATHERINE E. BEECHER."
BROOKLYN, n. T., August 7, 1874"
THE DRoUGHT. This county has rot had
| the misfortune of such drought as the pre-
sent, since the memorable season of 1854 when
| the corn crop Of the county was almost total
| failure. No difference how much it may rain
| now, the corn crop of the county will not aver
age two barrels per acre. If the corn is not
well advanced by the hot days and lights Of
July the cool nights Of August seal its fate
and such being the situation, we must content
ourselves, and prepare for, probably, the short
est corn crop ever known to the present gener-
alton in Loudoup. 1t is great misfortune, as
corn is the main reliance of all claSses-and Of
late years has become the most profitable crop
to the farmer. Man and beast are more de-
pendent upon it than any Of the grains raised.
Another serious feature of the drought is,
the drying up of the pasture fields, leaving
many uf our farmers without sufficient grass to
feed their stock From some Of them we learn
their stock has been driven to the woods, as
| their pastures have failed to sustain thcm-and
nearly all are fearful such will be their tate, if
We do not have rain in few days. The abun-
dant rains Of last spring, which filled the earth
with water, still keep our springs wells and
streams supplied with water, but they are be.
ginning in some localities to feel the continued
drought.-LeesJ~g Washngtonian
SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The Washington correspondent of the Balti-
more Sun says :-"Ciizcns who have substan.
tial interests in the District Of Columbia are
signing papers, addressed to the joint commit
tee of Congress appointed to frame form Of
government for the District, expressing their
wish that in the new organic law suffrage may
be dispended with. The reason for this course
is that they are disguised with the former per-
version of the ballot, and therefore wish to be
asved from repetition Of such abuses, beIiev-
ing that government can be framed answer
ing all desired purposes without periodical cleo
tions, which heretofore have not reflected the
wishes of those who most largely contributed
TO the support Of the local government, and
which have been 10 the interest of mere polili-
clans.
Resident EngGshmen in New York city state
that the English crcketers allow no betting on
their games, aud never bet on any of their
matches, claiming that none but gentlemen
comprise the team that contested and were
beaten by the Americans Oh the 3rd and 4th
instant