In the course of his remarks he had
occasion to refer to ex-President Hayes; some one in the audience
called out: "He was a softy!"
"No," was Mr. Beecher's quick response. "The country needed a poultice
at that time, and got it."
"He's dead now, anyhow," responded the voice.
"Not dead, my friend; he only sleepeth."
It convulsed the audience, of course, and the reporters took it down in
their books.
After the meeting Edward drove home with Mr. Beecher.
After a while he asked: "Well, how do you think it went?"
Edward replied he thought it went very well, except that he did not
like the reference to ex-President Hayes.
"What reference? What did I say?"
Edward repeated it.
"Did I say that?" he asked. Edward looked at him. Mr. Beecher's face
was tense. After a few moments he said: "That's generally the way with
extemporaneous remarks: they are always dangerous. The best impromptu
speeches and remarks are the carefully prepared kind," he added.
Edward told him he regretted the reference because he knew that General
Hayes would read it in the New York papers, and he would be nonplussed
to understand it, considering the cordial relations which existed
between the two men.
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