The New York herald., 1874-08-30
'he Glory OF Old Tammany In
Plymouth Church.


Plymouth Church.
In the good old times before the war
ratification meeting in Tammany Hall was
a spectacle which excited the admiration of
"the big Indians" and the utmost terror and
CONSERVATION to the struggling Puritan within
the walls Of the Wigwam. 1t was scene Of
indescribable enthusiasm and confusion, of
strong patriotic outcries, fierce imprecations
and of terrible profanities, grim jokes,
'cracked crowns and bloody noses" For
many years we have had nothing in these
parts to compare with those glorious jubilees
of the Empire Club; but now let the alumni
of the Pewter Mug rejoice for has not the
lofty inspiration OF Old Tammany, and to the
soul-stirring music of sold Hundred" been
revived in o grand ratification meeting of
Plymouth church,
At this ratification of the lofty, enthusiastic
and incomprehensible report OF Mr.. Beecher's
committee, exalting their Immaculate pastor
to Mahomet's seventh heaven, there were all
the elements of regular old time Tammany
''jamboree.' But there was something more,
ouu bouiCtulh3 DCteSk " WuIm up
the whirling dervishes at this Plymouth rati-
fcation than anything in the proud record of
Old Tanmany. There was the religious ele-
ment, all alive with the holy fire and fervor of
high revival, and this inspiring element Old
Tammany never possessed or professed, and
seldom respected. Nevertheless, at this
Plymouth love-feast there were outbreaks of
ruffianism and manifestations of ruffianly in
tolerance worthy. the best days Of the Wgwam
There was one man in an assemblage Of two
thousand who had the hardihood to object to
the committees report and the temerity to
stand up against it, as in the midst of an ex-
cited mob, and unmoved by the hostile clalnor
around him, and, perhaps the only perfectly
cool and self-possessed man in the house.
But his opinions were not wanted, for he had
come, perhaps, ''to bury Caesar. not to
praise him." and the presence OF this daring
intruder, like an unwelcome aud unexpected
guest at a wedding, was offensive, and '.Put
him out |" and "Give him hell 80 were the
cries which warned him Of the danger of per-
sonal violence from the latter day congrega-
tfoHat cafuto HfouAu AiA. Lucy uau ttSSeW-
bled for thanksgiving and praise for the tri-
umphant vindication of their exalted pastor,
by committee of his own church and of his own
choosing, and they were not in the mood for
listening to disagreeable objections. And so, to
the dying echoes of "Old Hundred" and in
the midst Of hostile uproar like that of
nest of contraband whiskey distillers invaded
by revenue official, and under the protection
Of the police, this obn6xious intruder retired.
And this was called by the saints ''the peace
OF God which passeth all understanding.
Was there ever such mockery of sacred
things? Was there ever such shocking pro-
family as this in the widest diabolisms of
Tammany Hall? Call you this triumphant
vindication Of Mr. Beecher? Is it anything
better than senseless mockery, wild and
roaring extravaganza, which would BE exceed
ingly laughable if it were not so seriously de-
plorabe? In short, the vindication of Mr.
Beecher from his church committee and by
his church goes not beyond the boundaries of
his church To stand approved, clear and
spotless before the outside world, he needs
broader and stronger vindication.