New-York tribune., 1874-08-01
MISS CATHARINE BEECHER'S OPINION OF
MRS. WOODHULL.

The following communication to The TRIB-
UNR from a sister Of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
expresses the opinion in which Mrs Woodruff was held
by the Beecher family year ago:
TO the Editor OF The Trtbune.
SIR: An emergency involving the deleacy and honor
OF my makes 1t my duty to submit the following
facts to the ladies of this city
Nearly two years ago, at the request OF friend who
had perfect confidence in her truth and purity, ac-
cepted Invitation from Victoria Woodruff to ride
sion that insane or the hapess victim OF ma
gnant spirits. For she calmly informed me that sew
eral distinguished editors, cersyhon, anu ,auy au
thors Of this city, some OF them my personal friends
and all of Intm models OF domestic purig d
free love, but practced accordingly ana hat was
only lack Of moral conrage which peyeated m hSr men
open avOwal Of such opinions c9hceaieu al rms
excepting from few personal friends, because IL ls
cruelty ana .neaiy TO adie to have their names
and character publicly subjected 70 inquiry as to such
sOcistes have been carrying out pan ion liakanS @
money by rnalgnlng or threatening conspicuous per
sons OF purity and sensbihty hat would DO eX
pected they or their friends wJud pay Iarge SUN, ,
rather than collision with such antagonists ana
Such an operation carried out in New-YOrk, woud
extend indefinitely. The proper way OF meeting TINS
which an officer OF the State, aud not the person
assaied, may prosecute who circulate aspersl0ns
made in such shis penientiary ofense When
law is well executed. and when imprisonment Tor
life, without power OF pardon In any human hands.
shall be the penalty for murder lhen the present
peratng surges OF society Will be assuaSed and the
dove and olive branch appear. American women pos
sess a power little appreciated exercised for 1t Is
certain that there benefcent law which they would
unite in asking enacted enforced which would
not readily granted. For this reason the influence OF
the ladies OF tins city is besought this
splcuous the enforcement OF tne penalty Tor the
most cruel slander that many have already suffered,
and which still threatened To others The officers OF
law IL Is TO abate this evil at hand ana
their ear can be reached by many woman whom they
respect At the time clergymen can be en-
treated lend their cooperation by teaching from tie
pulpit (what DO not know that helping 10 crcl-
late aspersons of character which they cannot prove
20 be true violation both Of the decalogue and the
| civil law. CAIHAhsL T. bBECHEh'
| Nelo- York, March 90. 1873.
1t known, however that the publication Of this let
ter was source annoyance 10 Mr. Beechers friends
IL has also been widely reported, and is generally be
eyed Brooklyn that another OF his sisters Mrs lisa
bella Beecher Hooker OF Hartford. who has been on ex
| ceedIngy intimate terms with Mrs. woodruff has
| ayowed her belief In the substantial truth OF Mrs
Woodhuls sores and had gone far as to urge upon
her brother public confession OF his sin In Plymouth
Church. she proposing 10 appear on the platform In ms
place occasion receive his confession. and herself
conduct the services Mrs Hooker has been VI the
| conspicuous Woman Suffrage ieaders