Evening journal., 1912-04-15
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Story Of Henry Ward
BesCher and Robert G.
IRgerSOIl
By Holland

only few days before the Presi-
Dental election of 1880, Colonel Rob-
ert. G. Ingersoll, who had been MAX
ing some very effective campaign
speeches in support of the election Of
General Garfield, accepted an invita-
ton to address the citizens of Brook
lyn, n. Y, from the platform of the
Academy Of Music. The committee
which had the arrangements in charge
was anxious that Henry Ward Beecher
should preside at this meeting There
was some hesitation about asking
Beecher because Of the agnostic views
which Colonel lngersoll had express
ed so often upon the public platform.
But when some one finally took the
bit in his teeth. and made the request
Of Mr.. Beecher. that great pulpit
orator responded heartily.
Il shall deem II an honor to intro
duce Colonel Ingersoll The meeting
is not to be a religious or an anti-re-
ligious meeting; it is to be a gather.
ing of citizens, and ! have such high
regard for Colonel lngersoll as a
friend of humanity. and ] have such
profound admiration for his gifts az
an orator. that as | just said, l shall
esteem it an honor to introduce him
to a Brooklyn audience"
The night OF the meeting-it was
the Saturday before election day-tha
great auditorium of the Academy Of
Music was packed to more than its
capacity. Thousands who were disap-
pointed because they we're unable to
gain admittance, and especially disap-
pointed because it had been announc-
ed that Henry Ward Beecher would
introduce Colonel Tngersoll, stood
upon the sidewalk and in the street in
front Of the Academy. waiting patient
" until the meeting was over. hoping
that Colonel Ingersoll would find a
way Of speaking a few words to them
When the moment arrived for intro
ducing Colonel IngeKsoll. who came in
! escorted by Mr. Betcher, the famous
clergyman OF Plymouth pulpit arose
and said, in voice that carried to the
furthest gallery: The gentleman who
will speak tonight is in no conventicle
or church" Here Beecher paused for a
moment that the full meaning Of his
words might reach every hearer. Then
he continued: "I rejoice to be able TO
say upon this platform that I respect
this speaker, because he has for years
yes, more than a score OF years
labored for humanity and for the
rights of man 7 consider il an honor.
o great honor. to extend to him. as 7
do now. the warm right hand of fell
lowship."
Then. turning to Colonel Ingersoll.
Beecher held out his hand. Colonel
Ingersoll took the extended palm. nod
/ ding his head in recognition Of what
Beecher had said. And thus. still
grasping hands Beecher added ct in
troduce TO you a man who, say with
out any flattery. is the most brilliant
speaker of the English tongue Of all
men on the globe"
For some moments It was impos.
sible for Colonel Ingersoll 10 begin
He afterward said that the demon.
stration then made was the finest
with one exception, that he had ever
Witnessed At last. holding up his
hands, he commanded silence. ant
spoke as only lngersoll was able tc
speak. His closing words we're:
"Oh, I love the old republic. bound.
ed by the sea, warmed by the wide
air, domed by heavens blue and light
ed with eternal stars love the re-
public. love It because I love lib
erty. Liberty is my religion; at It's
altar I worship and will always wor.
ship
He stood silent after he had uttered
this peroration At last Beecher aros,
and, taking Ingersoll's hand in both o.
his, expressed in this silent tribut,
the deep sentiment and emotion whicf
lngersoll's address had created withir
the hearts and minds of that vas
audience.
Copyright. 1912. by 2. J Edwards
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell o.
"A Famous Orators Most mspirinJ