Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-23
BEECHER ON CLEVELAND.
His Comn.on.scnse Letter TO Young NAN
Asking Advice.

His Conn.on.scnse Letter 10 Young nan
Asking Advice.
A few days ago the Rev. Henry Warn
Be- cher received letter from young man
who logan ly saying that be had lust pr
gun 10 practice hi, profession, and that no
was somewhat ambitious for honorable po-
I,ticI prcfsmcnt. Referring to Mr.. Beech
er's recent letter published IN an evening
psper. the correspondent says: q IL seems
10 me that we young men are reading y
most terrible lesson in your course OF
acton rs to the political candidates
for the presidency" He asks whether
Mr.. Beecher would bave them believe that
thew might become common libertlnss aiiu
flsunt their vices in The popular gaze sun
mixing the people for their su;friges. ~,
ferrirg 10 Mr. Beccher's denunciatoh OF
Mr.. Blaine. he asks il he could ADVISE
young men to vote for Grover CleYeliha'
and severely criticises NJ. Bescher's acton
~ 2 Christian minister for his attempt 10
gloss over or disregard such sins A. Grover
Cleveland is altered TO be guilty. In reply
to that letter Mr. BePcbcr writes from
Pctksknli. under date OF September l6th'
a. follows:
Ny Dear Sir: when yon are Older ana
have had a larger experience OF puOhc
STAIRS and political ethics you will regard
the letter sent 10 me with far different eyes
than yOu do now.
WHO told you and by what authority do
you state That Cleveland is libertioe IA
notorious lihertine? Do you regard SIAN
Ger as 4 part Of morality! That story Is
slsnder. Net Il particle Of evidences ms
been adduced TO prove that Cleveland II
now an immoral man. That he Tell IN one
instance, twelve years ago. he frankly al
nits. All the stories OF continued dlsslpa-
ton rave been searched and trsccd to the
cro.sbOp and the brothel. Not single
witness has even pretended that he knew
anything personally. and only hearsay EVIL
Gence has been bruited by men who ought
10 be ashamed 10 offer their ears rs sewers
to dens OF infamy, and TO suffer their
tongues to commit adultery Win nOt0fi'
Gus lies.
As il regards the sin Of Cleveland in the
Ualpin case, when diveSted OF the eXig-
gera'ions-So far from being an encOursg'-
ment to sin il will he vivid example and
warning 10 ambitious young men TO avoid
evil and 10 maintain social purity. Cleye-
land has already suffered loss. modification
and damage for the commission OF griev-
Gus SIN, snd to-day il stands in his path
10 gain the highest place in this Govern
ment il will be by reason Of that very trans
erosion. That he Will be elected I both
hope and believe, hut the chief danger to
his ambition to-day springs from that sin
OF twelve years ago. l. there no warning
in that9 No voice to Young men:
II believed Cleveland to bea libertine |
woGld drop bin instantly. | do not be-
leye Il. Ircgard him ~ A grossly-sandared
nan for political purposes, aud that abuse,
instead OF dtsrriOg me from supporting
him, appeals very strongly to my generosity
and chiyalry. That be is a prudent man,
honestly and earnestly desiring 10 minister
every trust faithfully and Ioyaily. have no
doubt. Ny message to every young man
ia. beware Of his mistike Of years ago and
initiate his virtues Of to-day.
HENRY WARD BEECH2R.