New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-28
THE MOST PARTISAN DEFENDER OF MR..
BEECHER.

Well then, all sorts of volunteer disputants
appear attacking and defending; and for the deenscs
II not for the attacks all over the country,
sort Of responsibility careessy thrown upon
the case and the person Of Mr. Beecher. The most eI
ravagant of the apologies for Mr. Beechers conduct was
in very well considered and very well expressed letter
published of the Western papers, said to have been
from lady, and doubtless it without inquiring
particularly, caring inquire whether there
was any truth in the charge, this apOogst seemed to
think that for had done much good and who
was still doing much good, and capable OF doing
more good all the other preachers In the country
expressed it, that little alteration Of this kind in
the nature of sOlace and support for the
immense drain his moral nature-it was
not to be considered improbable, and in
stead OF being excused should be justified.
Well now, have never heard anything quite as strong
in the way OF partisanshp that except In curious
anecdote of English political history John Wilkes-Jack
Wilkes as you have all heard OF himthe great liberty
agtaor OF the time Of George ILL., with his great wit.
his great audacty much trouble to the court ana
the ministry and gained equal favor with the radicals
and the opponents OF the ministry. He was man OF
profigate life, and, unluckiy, he man OF a very
ugly countenance and among other things OF very I'M
disputable Obliquity Of vision Well, parties ran
high; all were for him or against him {;
and all mpuatons upon his conduct, his patriotism, his
morality or what not by his friends boldly and
confidently and two ladies in high life, OF the Court
party and OF the Liberty party after discussing with
the heat and candor which belong to womcns love OF
Justice the respective and dement's of Wilkes, and
when champion Of Wilkes had pressed her adversary
to the wall every question Of politics, Of taste OF
morals of patriotism and Of public danger. the oppo-
nent Wilkes turns upon her and says: swell, you
must admit that he squints" daughter EYES," says
the disputant, but no more than man should"
(Laughter.l
Now. all these foies and frvolities through several
fulfill, M nj susDicons. and Of
doubts have been clustered around this controversy and
IL was only when into your presence, and with
the authority of the law and with candor and aten-
ton and patience and Of duty that we ever began
to get at what this real matter and to judge OF its
probability its mprobaby its proof or its refutar
on according live persons with real characters and
crime defined and measured that ever had any real
dealing with IT, in any that rational could
consider dealing with it, But then see how men have
reasoned about the conduct Of this defendant while this
imputat' VI in the civil courts pending. How
many men have been shocked that Mr.. Beecher
should continue to preach and worship God
when Mr. Tilton had called him adul-
terer when Mr. Mouton had spoken of him
"a a perurer. They actually undertook to shorten
the divine commission under which he acted, which
was to preach the Gospel to every creature, they
adding until men shall revile you and persecnte
Won and evil entreat you" Is that found in the
APOSTOLIC commssion Is that the character Of even
AN humble clergyman like honest Mr. Gay from Indiana.
who rather than quiet under the ewd teachings OF
this moral lecturer turning to Mr. Tlton resisted him
TO his face and fulfilled his duty at 800 year as an
humble preacher since losing his salary OF $1,000
because he in the religion that he profesed and
in the duty Of of his profession at least to meet and
erapple with spiritual wckedness in high places
And then others say "What shocking thing 1t is that
Mrs Beecher should attend this scandalous trial. where
she will be exposed to hearing much evil said OF one
whom she loves though he does not deserve her
oye" And actually vulgar and vile are pharlsaicai
judgments that they undertake TO shorten the marriage
vows MS well as the apostolic commission and when
woman had sworn at the altar TO Glove, cherish honor
and obey through sickness and through health for better
for worse for richer for poorer till death doth us part
these people said an alternative limitation was inter-
posed- or process shall be served upon you to come
into the City Court of Brooklyn"
Now believe that all these foles and scurries have
wholly faded out Of the public mind OF the public crit-
cis of the public conscience If conscience had anything
IN do with them believe that when this great preacher
comes TO give his account at the last Judgment OF the
many talents that have been conded to him. the hard
Judge named in parable will lind fault in him-tha
he did not bury his talents In Napkin even during the
six months Of Beecher trial. know that the young
hearts and conscence and DID, obdurate sinful natures
that in those six months have been searched for and
found give more Joy heaven than over all these GOOD
men that crcise who have needed TO experience