New-York tribune., 1875-02-05

speak OF SUCCESSFUL Ilfals
O. You have just described them that you found better &C.
in your esteem A. For instance when came to know
Mr. Charles Sumner ranked him very much beyond Mr.
Beecher both intellectually morally and IN every other Way
whenI came
O. About what date thatI
Mr. Beach-Iet him
The Witness-When to know M Greeley intimately
put considerable height above Mr. Beecher both 10
point of intellect of morality of sincerity and Of unseah de-
voton the public good might mention other men, but
mean to ask whether the who in my years
high in my affection and admrationf you to ask
whether ever became intimate with those men, in my
early life had with Mr. Beeche should have say
unless perhaps MI Greeley formed an exception.
Now about Of these elevations above Mr Beechi
which your larger acquaintance among assigned the
couanancs Youhaye given only when you got acquainted
with Mr. Greeley and when you got acquainted with Mr. sum
ner Now il you can give tho date-my point was-when
you began change your estimate Of Mt Beecheabout Of
coursei A. Ny only answer 10 that question Is Sir that in pro
portion as enlarged my acluantanccShp among public men,
here and there around greater height than Mr.
Beecher He stood among them be among the great men
Of the country; but great before Amemnon
and there will BE- great men after
O. Well that still leaves little vague as TO when the tme
was for we don't know all these you and
irving to get at it. A. We'll Sir the process Of change that
brought up in my estimation 70 equal rank with
Mr. Beechor aud brought Of them to superior rank
began long ago aud mpOrcepbe IN its progress that
could not ginning. should not be able 10 dx
such date in my mind
O. Now how carly did there come to be- II at ALL any cooling
or break in regard aud affections which you
entertained towards Mr Beecher' A don't know Sir. that
hpr Was ever any break between Mr. Beecher and nay
cfthrough any OF the political dyersences to some OF which
Won have alluded aud the chief OF which
ouent upon the Cleveland letter. lie would be better
authority on that subject than l am hNe
reason TO believe that he very touching the
comments which made the Cleveland letter. still It did not
break friendship remember distinctly having talk with
him only days after the publication OF thaE letter and of
nv comments on it. What l distinctly - Mr. Eyars
that ceased a. grew older TO look upon Mr. Beecher. AS
leader either in politics, art or regon not that de-
hroncd him in my respect but that he less 10
grew older leader han he had been originally
O. DO you ascrbe that change TO him. or TO yourseff n
Well Sir think quite likely was due 20 my own growth to
certain degree think eny other had occupied the same
noson in my hearts affection my youth should probably
have thought him. least ess OF his great superiority
over other men, time progressed but not responsible
for Mr. Beechers betrayal Of the Republican party IN 1888
That he was responsible for aud his church rose up against
him.
o on well now A. And he retracted it In the Academy Of
Music
0 won't 90 into any church dssensons II is only your
relations to Mr. Beechc Now, when dl you come TO pretty
firm notion that Mr. Beecher not as great and important
peson intellectually As you had supposed A. Well when
was perhaps % or IL or "a years od sun must give you As
answer very indefinitely
O. And that opinion has increased has not since then' A.
Yes, Sir.
O. Now do you remember-' A. Do not understand me-
Mr. Evarts dsparagng Mr. Beechers intellectual powers
now not at all
O. You still have certain respect for him' have re-
spec for strength respect the giants strength as hs
poet says though Is base il with giants strength
O. Do you remember coming conclusion that Mr. Beechef
had got his growth decline public power and In
nuenee Others to pass beyond himi A. do not
understand your question, Sir.
O. The Stenographer will repeat IT,
Eco Nlask eaGs.