The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02

exultant eloquence. But there are three greaS
questions that cannot be put down, that as
sert themselves in every section OF the coun-
try, and will have dominant influence on the
next canvass for the Presidency.
These three questions are the finances
reconstruction and the third term. Let us
see how for Senator Morton is false or true
to ''the great principle involved in them, OK
whether he is cowardly in their presence.
On the finances he favors imitation, which Is
only the alphabet of reputation, and de-
nounces free trade, which is as necessary IN
time to our greatness as freedom of speech.
On reconstruction he says harshly that II
the white men in the South complain OF tho
negroes they must remember that the negroes
are what they have made them. The mis-
government of the Southern States is not to
be compared to the miseries of slavery. In
other words, because the white men owned
the negroes before the war, the negroes
have right to rob the white men now,
and not merely rob them, but bring dishonor
to the American name by shameless and fire.
quent acts of reputation. Upon the third
term Mr.. Morton is silent. In the presence
of the finances he has only demagogue's
proposition that would bring measureless mis-
fortune to the country, and he is ''false to tho
great principle Of national honesty and scru-
pulous regard for the obligations of the public
debt In the presence of reconstruction he is
brutal, and before the third term "cowardly'
and silent
Senator Morton is distinguished republican,
and as brave as any of the leaders in that party.
His "cowardica" and silence are only so many
new indications that the day of the party
usefulness is coming to an end, and that its
best and boldest men cannot save it.
The Religious Press Returns to the
Brooklyn Scandal.
The religious press having waited week or
two for something to turn up that would give
them better insight to the secrets of this
now notorious topic which engrosses the at
tention Of all the people of the land from
Maine to Texas, but having waited in vain,
they return this week to consideration Of
certain lessons which this great trouble may
have in it for the benefit of others who may
yet stand on slippery places 1t is strange
how differently the denominational press look
at this scandal and how varied are the lessons
they draw therefrom. For instance, the
Observer reads a sermon to its patrons on the
mawkish sentimentality that prevails among
religious women toward clergymen 1t GEN.
sures ministers who encourage women to come
to them with family matters. 1t reiterates tho
thought that the alleged drawing out Of
SOUL toward pastor is carnal and of the earth
earthly. God is not in it. 1t is simply the lower
nature, the human passion of one creature fox
another. at is q travesty of the Gospel"
says the Observer, ''to hold that this 'yearning
after an affinity which sacrifices the obliga-
ton of society, family and honor, is anything
even akin to love-" 1t is an insult to every
pure emotion to call it by that name. Lust is
not love. Love is Of God, for God is love, and
religion is not passion, but principle-an
intelligent belief of truth that leads to right
doing.
The Evangelist refers to the scandal to show
that the pivot on which the whole controversy
revolves in the public mind is the reconcilia-
ton of MI. Beechers humble pie letters to
Tl!on and Moulton with the theory of perfect
innocence, II it were simply question Of
veracity between Theodore Titon and Mr..
Beecher and Mrs. Tilton the matter would
have been settled by the public verdict long
ago in favor Of the latter. Even the theory Of
an unwarranted interference in the domestic
affairs of Tilton's household by his pastor,
the Evangelist thinks, does not warrant the in
tensity of language used by Mr.. Beecher in
these epistles. But the Evangelist takes heart
from the darkness of the present hour that il
is only the precursor of the day, and hopes
that Mr.. Beecher will be able fully to explain
himself to the public mind and conscience.
The Methodist makes the scandal its text foi
o discourse on "The Value of Character"
and pays the secular press the merited COM
plment of giving the lie to the charge against
it of disposition to promote scandals against
good men, and particularly to cherish those
in which clergymen are involved. It cites
the almost universal position of the secular
press on Mr.. Beecher's side as proof that
character is an element of strength to the
man who possesses it. 1t stands him as de-
fence against irresponsible persons, and com.
mands the fcrbearance of the public against
tue one-sided disclosures of responsible men.
1t receives sympathy in the hour Of trial, and
is worth working for and living for 1t is,
therefore, more than ever incumbent on good
men to take care Of this gem of character.
A few journals treat the matter indifferently
or base an assumption of guilt upon Mr..
pooob.r,o corraspnndence. Int there ia moth.
ing Of particular moment or stirring interest
in those journals Jewish or Christian, local or
distant. They look after matters of political
or religious or commonplace gossip, which
they treat in an ordinary way.
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.