Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-23
A DRAMATIC EVENT.
HENRY WARD BEECHER'S CHILLY
RECEPTION AT RICHMOND, VA.
Incident OF His Lecture After the War.
Tho Ladies Coldly Curious and the
Men Cooily Eapectant-Appiaudcd to
tho Echo. :.

Tho Ladies Coldly Curious and the
Men Cooily E1pectant-Appiaudcd to
tho Echo.
Gone Of the most dramatic events in tho
oratorical career Of Henry Ward
Beccher,' says Mayor Darlington, Of
Richmond, Va, occurred in Richmond
five years ago this spring, during his lee
turing tour through the south. The an
nouncement that he was 10 lecture at
Mozart hall on The North and the South
filled the old building. Ii was his FIRST
appearance in Richmond since the war,
and he was rather doubtful about tho
kind of reception he would get. When bs
walked out on the stage he saw before
him distinguished audience OF southern
ers, including several leading generals on
the losing side. In the fourth row Of the
orchestra sat Gen Fitzhugh Lee, and Just
behind him Gen. RosSer, while near by
were Ex-Governor Extra Billy Smith and
Governor Cameron. No applause greeted
the great preacher "a he stepped before
the footIights The ladies leveled their
opera glasses at him with cold curiosity
and the men looked coOiiy expcctant.
Some misses from a few rowdies In tho
gallery did not tend to dIspel the chiiliness
Of the reception
''Mr. Beecher surveyed the audience
calmly for moment, and then stepping.
directly in front Of Gen Lee, he said 1
have seen pictures Of Gen. Fizhugh Lee.
and Judge that you are the man Am I
right"
''The general, slightly taken back BY
this direct address, nodded stifly, while
the audience bent forward, GREATNESS with
curiosity as 10 what was going TO follow.
Then said Mr.. Beccher, his facs
lighting up. i want 20 offer yon this right
hand which. in its own way. fought
against you and yours twenty five years
ago, but which would now willingly
sacrifice to make the sunny south pros
porous and happy. VIII you take 1t, gen.
erali
DEATH-LIEE sTYiLsEss.
''There was q moments hesitation. .
moment Of dcath-like stiffness IA the hall,
and then Fitzhugh Lee was on bis feet,
his hand was extended across the foot
lights and was quickly met by the WARM
grasp OF the preachers.
cat first there was a murrnuT, half Of
surprise end bali Of doubtfulness, from tho
audience: then there was hesitating
clapping Of hands and before B~echsr had
unloosed the hand Of Robert T. Lees
nephew-now governor of YiIginis-thers
were cheers such sc were never before
heard IN old Mozart, though IL had been
the scene Of many a war and political
meeting
But that was only the beginning Of
the enthusiasm.
When the noise srbsided MY BreehsY
continued: When go back home shall
proudly tell that have grAsped the hand
Of the nephew o. the great southern chief
tain; shall tell sny people that I vel, 70
the Confederate capital With . heart full
O: love for the people whom my principles
once obliged me 20 opposs. and tha: I vas
me. hall way by the brave southsrnsrs,
who can forgive a. web - sAsy can egh,'
Five minutes 0! Applause follgvsd,
and then Mr. B~echer. having RnAnsd Tho
hearts OF bis scd.snos. begun bis isseure,
and was spplauded 10 the srho. That
night be entered his earriAss and drove 70
his hotel amid shouts such - had never
greeted northern man in Richraoed
s4nce the war.-Nsw York Home Journal