Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-02-25
A BLAST FROM BEECIIER.

Council, OF one uunuleu anu oeNeh'y
members, which is now in session in
brooklyn, New York, in connection
with the Beecher business, is not so
large body as Congress, but its de-
bates are likely to be more highly
seasoned. That is, if we may judge
from the way which Mr.. Beecher him
self opened the ball on Friday last
We publish below passage from his
speech. We doubt whether any OF
our good staid people can read it with
out a cold shudder of horror. 1t will
startle even though it may excite the
applause Of the abandoned denlzens of
the slums Of New York. Most PEG.
ple will be inclined to regard it as
little less than downright blasphemy.
Vice., before last we gave an extract
from Henry G. Bowen letter denoun-
cling Mr.. Beecher in very square
terms as a perjurer, hypocrite, and
adulterer. That was indeed bomb
shell. But Mr.. Beechers reply is
something more terrible. The bomb
shell is mild in comparison with such
q nitro .glycerins explosion Of wrath
and defiance. And yet it is more
than likely to recoil upon hlmselt.---
Fearful perjury there must be some
where IN this Bsecher- Bowen Moul-
ton case. The community of rea,lers
stands aghast with horror at the
thought OF it. Whether the truth
will be brought TO light by the Coun-
ell, remains to be seen. The Council
as we understand, was not called for
the purpose Of investigating the great
scandal, but simply to consider GER
tain questions as to whether Mrs.
Moulton and others were expelled
from Plymouth Church according to
due form. But the great scandal is
irrepressible. 1t will not stay down.
Like the Jack in the box its ugly
head flies out at every touch Of the
springs. The work OF the Council is
to consider apparently unlmportant
questions. Before it gets out Of Ply
mouth Church, however, it is likely to
have the whole Shiny scandal sprawl
ing in its midst, like a monster But
We hope the Council will deal sternly
with it, and bury it out Of sight and
out of mind.
According to the papers this speech
of Mr.. Beecher was delivered with
highly dramatic effect. In the dis
cussons of the Council on Friday, he
had been questioned concerning an
interview with DR.. Storrs, but which
Mr.. B. denies having taken place
At this point he rose and walked slow
ly to the edge Of the platform. With
head erect, and one hand resting on
Bible lying on the table, he COM
menced to speak:
II should like to know he said,
show much longer a man need be at
the focus Of a polar microscope, with
the sun in the heavens concentrated
upon him for six months, and every
thing that could be raked from the
North Pole to the South pole, ana
round the earth forty times clrcuited,
raked up and brought in; and to
have it raked up and brought in.
How much longer does a man want
to have his willingness to have the
truth come out indicated to be put
at that point? If there is any man
on earth that has any thing to say
if there is any man on earth that has
any thing to say to my detrlment, |
am here and now challenge him to
say it. Cries Of good, good" and
loud applause. l go further than
that. If there be any angel of God
more president and omniscient chal-
len.e hun to say aught. | 50 beyond
that, and in the name Of our common
Redeemer, and before Him who shall
Judge you and me, | challenge the
truth from God himself great APP
rlause>; and what is all this going to
do? Tomorrow morning it will be
said in the luminous journals We'll,
Mr.. Beacher, how rhetorically he
managed the matter, and it will be
put in the religious papers; oh, yes,
that was a very plausible statement,
but, but, and | am in judgment be-
tween two devils, "but," and "if. ="
Laughter. Nothing that | said is
token to he true, and | am put upon
a perpetual trial on my veracity, for
although I am willing to DO tried |
Sat lsr lie from myself, suppress