Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-17

say, but plainly exhibited his satisfaction with
what had occurred at Mr.. Beechers. The
counsel were absent hardly more than half
an hour and then the cross examination was
resumed. Mr.. Beecher, it is said, spoke with
dignity and perfect calmness of manner, and
replied to the questioning frankly and with
no hesitation. No time was lost. The ques-
tions of the committee were put thick and
fast, and the answers were equally ready.
This was continued until few minutes af-
ter o'clock, and after congratulations were
given Mr.. Beecher, all the Committee made
their appearance at the outer door. What
ever the verdict of the people was to be, there
was no installing the sentiments of the Com
mittee. For some days they had been bur
dened by their vain attempts at secrecy, and
had shown themselves to be wearied with
their work and troubled by the severe crti-
cism which their delay had occasioned. But
the agony was now over with them, and min
Cling their jokes and laughter, they stood a
few moments in the doorway talking with Mr..
Beecher, and then fastened away with cheer
full faces.
Mr.. Beecher stepped outside the door, and
stood for some minutes upon the steps,
speaking with his friends and others, who
caught at his words like diamonds. To inn
pertinent questions relating to the scandal
George Washington the greatest man of his
time, Abraham Lincoln very exalted
character, and Jupiter man of might"
Then he wondered what effect the present
controversy would have upon his chances for
for the Presidency, and told of a time when
he was lecturing somewhere in the West,
where an anxious local politician, with an eye
to his trade, wanted to know "what Beecher
was after, and if he had any political scheme
on hand" He thought that this affair must
have given him notoriety enough to make him
eligible for the Presidency. He was curious
to know by what means the newspapers OBJ
tanned so much regarding the very private
meeting of the Committee the previous even
ing at his house. and expressed his conviction
''that if the Darwinian theory of development
were correct, reporters would some time be-
come corkscrews, able to draw the stopples
out of every bottle and find out its contents"
He commended ''the study of character" to
one of his questioners, as "a very good men,
tai exercise" Mr.. Beeeher was in fine spirits,
and, however he may have appeared during
the past month, seemed to have been relieved
of a grievous trial. The excitement of his
cross-examinatio had left his face almost
fire-red, and he looked to be somewhat wear
led, but the natural wit and laughter which
spiced his conversation as much As ever, indi-
Gated that he was by no means broken down
by the excitement through which he had been
passing. The singular query that was put to
him by one of his listeners Of chow he was
feeling" seemed hardly necessary, and was
met with the quick reply that he had 'just
bought him new white vest and was feeling
proud" which was as near description as he
gave in words of the state of his mind. AT
ter five minutes or Whereabouts of converse
ton, he babe his auditors good evening, and
went inside for an hour or two of rest
Tribune l4th.