New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-24
MR.. BEECHER'S RETURN.

A PARTY or FRIENDS GO TO MEET HIM AT NEW
BRUNswIcK--HE RECOUNTs THE IMPRESSIONS
RECEIVED IN HIS JOURNEY-HIGH OPINION on
TIE WESTERN PEOPLE-HIs ENORMOUS AUDI
ENCEs.
Henry Ward Beecher returned last evening
from his Western lecture trip escorted from New-Brins
wick on tic Pennsylvania Railroad by an enthusiastic
party OF Plymouth Church friends Several days ago IL
was proposed that OF his parshloners should go TO
their pastor leaving Jersey City by the o'clock
train number Of notices and invitations were sent OUT
but IL was not known who would accept, and 10 was
pleasant surprise to those who suggested the vel
come to meet at the CortIandt Street Ferry Austin
Abbott H. J.. Pratt, L. A. Parsons, c. I. Christensen,
Thomas q. Sherman, II. g. Reeve, +. L. Smith, T. NJ.
spelman F. A. Van dustin. Dwight studwe, the Rev.
Lyman Abbott, Horatio c. King and Francis jenkins OF
The Christian Union, Mr.. Beeehe-s paper A T. skerry,
Aonzo slote, II. W. b. Howard, James H. Lloyd, ID. +.
Blair, Isaac s. signor. and Jacob b. Murray.
The Western Express board which Mr.. Beecher was
known be- does not regularly stop at New-Brunswck,
but an order from the Superintendent OF the road was
obtained before leaving this city, and the train was
tagged As it to stop at the station Mr. Beechers
friends rushed into the rear car and as many az possible
crowded into the apartment where Mr. Beecher
was doing lounge. IL was complete
surprise to him, and after shaking hands
with all he looked around for moment and then asked,
"we have you your tickets, and is this your treat or
mne" He appeared to be In excellent health and spr-
it's and said that he enjoying the best OF health
Hc had not missed a neal train, or lecture In q
weeks tour during which he had Travelled several
thousand miles and spoken in public 40 times Seating
himself in the middle of the group OF his friends, Mr.
Beecher began his talk. He was full OF anec-
dote, "reminiscences and reflection. He said
that lie was in o constant state OF
establishment what he about him on the trip Tho
States OF Wisconsin. Minnesota and Iowa. were reyela-
ton to him. He had found everywhere not alone
material prosperity and progress but wonderful degree
OF intelligence and culture. He had uniformly re-
marked the "big heads" in his audiences He thought
that the average Western audience was mentally
superior to that In the East His hearers did not come
to tire lecture enthusiastic as to be ndlscrin'
mating They were self-respecting men and women,
prepared be impressed just far as what they heard
impressive and those were the people to whom he
best liked TO speak. He had spoken everywhere and
under all conditions lie had felt II he were unl'er
sal chaplain all the legislatures"
Beecher very happy TO got ack and said the
West splendid region to go to, II one cOud rcturn
BY the way" he added met In Griunell, Iowa,
Mr. Grinne the identical man to whom Horace Greeley
said Go West, young man." The hotel arconnoda-
lions he had found the whole good, especially IN the
Northwest where the hotels supported by com
mercal travellers 1t was very interesting TO note tho
different classes which in different sections made up
tie mass OF the American people, ana 10 SEQ
how people OF all races by birth becoming Ameri
cans by adoption and education. In Minnesota, where
there were mutitudes OF Swedrs, Norwegians, and
Orkney Islanders, the parents desired to retain their
own institutions and remain they were born. But
The children" said NJ. Beecher, ago to the common
schools and settles il. The schools tho
stomach Of tits country, and what goes INTO
them comes out good pure blood" lie had not
given great deal Of time to politics on tho
trp but he had observed in Indiana and other Western
Democratic states ready though quiet acqucscencc In
the final result Of the elections The editors grumDled
good DEAL but that was their profession 1t ike tho
Old sailor who sad to his bishop. Why Sir, YOU pray.
souc and swear some, but the Lord knows VIC don't
mean anything By it," In Indianapolis where Mr.
Bcechc preached 10 years, he had most cordial reeep
ton He left the place with only about 5000 inaD-
tauts, and now there were over 10000. He could
recognize only 0l buildings, MS old church, now nall,
TWO banks, and an old market
Locking around the car Mr. Beecher expressed again
his pleasure 40 the welcome home and said that when
he saw a crowd pouring in at New-Bruuswck he sup
posed it was nothing than the usual multitude Of
stare1s which had greeted him everywhere
Mr. Pond OF the Rcdpath Lyccum Bureau, who man
AGED the lectures said that the enthusiasm had been
literally without limit People had Travelled from
100 to 600 miles hear single lecture and scores
had gone fIOm 80 to 100 miles. At Chicago 5000 tex
cts were sold three hours, and he thought 10000 peo
le started for the church where Mr. Beecher preached
on Sunday. The squares and avenues were black WIN
the svarms In Columbus where on Thursday evening
Mr. Beecher dcv red his last lecture, there was vast
an dlence and the platform bank Of flowers and
papts After every lecture hundreds remained to shake
hands with Mr. Beeeher and the only way to bring these
informal receptions to a close was of TIE gas
The trim. IN word had been wonderfully successful
and crowded with impressive scenes