New-York tribune., 1875-07-13
TRIBUTES TO MIR. BEECHER.
ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION AT PEEKS-
KILL.

JUDGE WRLLS-MR BEECIIER'S FRANK REPLY
ASPECTS OF THE TRIAL REyIEwED-MR. BEECIER
DECLARES THAT HIS HONESTY OF CHARACTER
AND HIS COUNTRYMEN's CONFIDENCE IN 1T CAR
EIED HIM TuROUGH-HE WILL NOT BE MUZZLED
IN THE FUTURE-HIs CONTINUED CONFIDENCE
IN MEN-ENORMOUS EXPENSES OF TIE TRIAL
COST TO THE DEFENDANT OVER $75,OOO-RE-
MARKS OF CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw
PEEKsKILL, July 12.-" Rest Hill," Mr.. Beecher's
residence at this place, put Oft its wontcd air of quiet
tonight, and of the most interesting and sgnii-
cant demonstrations which has occurred since the
trial was made by citizens of Peeksk and Mr..
Beechers more immediate neighbors. Yesterday
and to-day the village agitated by
preparations for visit ell masse to Mr.. Beecher's
residence and about dusk a military band and Com
pany of the Sixteenth Battalion, National Guard,
took up their march through the main street,
accompanied after joined by many of the
most prominent men of the village. To the process
sion proper several hundred persons were added by
the time that they reached Rest Hill, where had
previously gathered about 40 or 80 ladies and gen.
temen escorting them, who had come in carriages
from distance.
BY o'clock between 800 and 900 persons had
gathered around the entrance of MI Beechcrs cot
tage, where he stood apparently little surprised
and evidently greatly gratfed at the magnitude of
the demonstration, which from the reports previ-
ously brought him he had expected would be an in-
formal gathering of perhaps 100 friends,
or enough to fill the modest single par
lor of the homestead. He had to receive
them on the lawn, and the hour or more
of extempore speaking which followed in the
open air. Mrs. Beechcr and Mrs. Col. Beecher, to-
gether with Mrs. Moses s. Beach, Mr.. Kittridge and
family and several ladies, with Henry NJ. Clcye-
land who had come up from New-York, sat on the
lo1ao rI I'm,
the crowd before him the Hon. Chauncey
NJ. Depew, Judge Edward Wells, Albert Wells,
s. r. Knapp, the Rev. Mr.. Page, the Rev. Mr..
Yocom the Rev. Mr.. Lyons, Prof. Howe of Boston,
c. l.. Fowler. c. W. Wadsworth, a. A. Starr John
Paulding, John Gray Col. Hyatt, j. NJ. Shipley, Eu-
gene travis and others, who described to your
correspondent as fairly representative men of the
town.
The band played two or three a
serenade and then judge Wells spokesman.
addressed a few WORDS in explanation to Mr.. Beccher.
lie said that those present had broken in upon his
retirement for the purpose of giving expression to
their confidence in him as man aud as IA Christian
minister of the Gospel. He said. referring to the
trial that the circumstances OF the past few months
had only served to increase their long cherished
confidence and love in and for the char
acter of Mr.. Beecher. lie desired further to
say that it was always the duty of the
citizens to truth, purity, and goodness of
character and to prize highly the rank, reputation,
and character Of a Christian minister He felt that
in expressing this sentiment he expressed the seni-
ment of the churches and Christians of Peekskill.
They loved the mobility of "A man who had rendered
snc services not only his country but to the whole
world.
Mr. Ycccher, who during the remarks Of Mr.. Wells
had stood with his head uncovered by the side oi
the speaker then made very remarkable address,
speaking almost all hour. lie thanked thosc present
for this visit and said that it one most pleasant
to him. He remarked that he could scarcely be ap
proacLed in a way more tendery touching to his
heart and feelings by his fellow citizens. Ii was his
hope TO die there in Icekski and be buried in their
midst. He said
NV life perhaps more than that OF any other man. has
been ont 0foor life for 20 years past cOd ScIceg
make casual conversation IN cars, could scarcey say
anything knot Of halidozcn persons; could say
npirstn Ir lectnrcro"m nothing in prayerInecngs
my church that has not found It's way more or css per
mrth jocose very frank who sits down by the side of
any stranger as II he were an old eld-for such uan
be reported in and out OF season H. no snall
searching test and although admit III looking al thc
past that, according 10 the papers, nave salu q
be willing to tahe my plaee, ana have al MS Ioy i eH
| feel that il bad myself up for great man. wise
man il had set myself up to be any sort OF lui "a
eelt an hoiS % , Ind M the , cncr nitting down which
/ have received but when began my lie had no in.
renon Of being great and eloquent and wise man. but
did mean to bc a good man and an honcst man ana
mean spend all tine strength God gave me III mahIs
NY fellow-mcn better. tAppausel This has been my
ambition This have by the help of God: maze
this assertion more emphatic because ho y IL" i'Ms
papers seem think that have done i 10y tio heI ana
PERMISSION OF newspapers. but have done it in
spite don't AK that they should care , or my
future My future IN the keeping 3t f1 % hTIa iu @ 70 70
whom my mother directed me- ana shonid IKE nk9 10
know who is going to stop my mouth WIN a. Il
gwen to me To say things which men "Int i.,d 10
hear. and to write things which make h. eh a oSrTr
Every that Is man lh3t nas neP % "nd 'nldEc our n
and patience, and that is right at heart ana htt .s bis
future his hands lApansc ask lIor n" n.r@s' dn@
viii take care the rest. You have attended Sir me
me- ~ long ago that icel ;le Israees would hayclct
hen, going over Jordan, sOiie one Iitu tth "
sa Int il was a long time ago The fact is, eentlcm,n
that about 1870 and 1871, and for three OF four yedL
d to 20 10 !"I"En To@ e yea"n of to mankind came
within year but had got through IT, am receiving
scores and hundreds o letters coached III most earnest
and afcctionate coincidence for fiery trials through
which going; but, bless yol tle asi' Oh inht @ iid
were scattered long ago gaming III strength anu
elasticity of body. am all right APPLAUSE on,
Allow me to siy that while tle.c have been many sad
and unfortunate aspects, there are great any of Tie
other sort sad thing To have the "ofId Oh 'hiseu-
J"n drnced win the details OF the infamous scandal
%ut' %,t on the other hand there has been com
parativcly speaking, very M nttio M rapos'a % . ,',
was y9 to Tie pure a .nacs the V details all Raye
b. EN- Kept rcmai kaby clean thhK ne esii eeLeih,h
who have conducted the trial On both sides are To c
thnukrd for that give it my testimony that tie
LAWYERS OF botn sides have made as hllie exposure
~ things as Was consistent with tho ends OF
Justice wncl they were endeayoring TO serve. Inc
whole world has seen how man not uphelu py nir SECT
assaulted by TIE newspapers, by snIe"d euiiims, ana
e,Irrieuecd men, brought into court on an infamous
charge having ariaycd against MN he pst esai t, M
that city and country Afforded has stood under the
prce II mas not been by wirepulng, 1t has not been
by social conbln,ons. II has not been by innu'n nces
ii has simply because my counti! men have i9 con
idcnce in my honesty and integrity nave had the
honest opinion OF my IN rcrson t by mauV
OF my counrymcn was k.own ,hionsh iny pun pup. ~, anu @