New York: Mr. Beecher Explains

These selections from the July 30, 1877 issue of the Pittsburgh Daily Post briefly note Henry Ward Beecher's clarification of a previous controversial statement. A court victory for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which was being sued, is also described.

NEW YORK. Mr. Beecher Explains.

NEW YORK, July 28.-The Sun will publish a letter from Henry Ward Beecher tomorrow referring to the sermon delivered by him recently and freely commented upon. Mr. Beecher says: "I have for fifty years in every conceivable form under good report and evil report been an advocate for the workingmen, and for single-handed who are struggling to rise in the world. At my time of life men do not change their views on such subjects. This whole outcry arises from snatching a single phrase from its proper connections, and giving it special instead of a general application which it had in the discourse. I said in substance that every man ought to enlarge his sphere of life and live well and amply, so soon as he could afford it; that when times of adversity come men must learn how to come down and live scantily, workingmen as well as all others; that when in this universal decline men come down to a dollar a day they ought not the rejoice or despair, that is enough to give them bread and to carry them forward to better times."

A LEGAL VICTORY FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.

A decision was given to-day by Judge Donohue in the Supreme Court, special term, in the suit of Brown vs. Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which was argued before him on a demurrer to complaint. The plaintiff, a bondholder of the Cleveland, Columbus & Indianapolis Central Railroad Company, sued to enforce a contract by which the Pennsylvania railroad guaranteed the payment of the other company's bond with interest. The Court sustains the demurrer, holding the plaintiff in absence of other parties interested cannot maintain an action on a contract made for the benefit of the Cleveland, Columbus & Indianapolis Central Railroad Company.

About this Document

  • Source: The Daily Post
  • Date: July 30, 1877