Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-08-12
A NEW ISSUE IN POLITICS.

had been nominated ana the 1alfcSt,
ablest and most influential Rcpubh-
can papers of the country had pro-
nounced his record unassailablc and
the managers of the Republican par
ty trembling in their boots were
forced TO the conclusion that "Some-
thing must be DONE" Thereupon
they procured the services of a cleri-
cal sandercr of Buffalo, Geo. Ii. Ball
by name, who began to pour out
upon Gov. Cleveland delugc of vile
and scandalous vituperation, too
filthy to find place i'll decent news
paper. lie was charged with the
seduction of a poor innocent orphan
girl and that he had her child put in
an orphan asylum and when the
mother became clamOrous for her
offspring he had her put into an in
sane asylum. This was quickly
proven to be lie of the vilest and
most malicious character and tie
story was then modified. The ''ln-
nOcent orphan girl" was changed in
to a widow named Maria IIalpin,
with two half-grown children, she
herself being 40 years old and Of
character very different from Caesars
wife. This story was also proven to
be a very highly colored version of
an incident that occurred some four
teen years ago. Decent papers of the
Republican party excluded the mat
ter from their columns and reproba-
ted this attempt to smirch the char
acter of Gov. Cleveland, by erecting
a standard of morals never before
known in politics. The Buffalo Ex-
press, Republican paper published
in his home city said of him "that
the people Of Buffalo had known him
as one of their wolthicst citizens, one
of their manifest men and faithful to
his clients, faithful to his friends and
faithful to every public trust"
The Buffalo Commercial, another
political opponent, said that in oppos-
ing him for President, lit would not
detract one jot or little from the well
learned fame Of the distinguished
gentleman who honored the opposi-
zion by bearingits standard, a good
son aud good brother, and unmarried
in order that he might be the better
son and brother, against whom moth
ing can be said except that he has not
been proof against one of the most
powerful temptations by which hui
man nature is assailed."
These papers published at Gov.
Cleveland's home have known him all
his life and they refused 10 sanction
the work of the base slanderer, Ball
but defended him while opposing
him as the nominee of the Democrat.
ic party. The people of Buffalo
elected him sheriff and then mayor
knowing all the facts, the great State
OF New York elected him Governor
by $4,000 majority in the light o
past events, and now after the laps,
Of IA years the scandal-mongcrs have
suddenly discovered that Gov. Clcve
land in his private life has not beef
different from Washington, Franklin
Jefferson and Hamilton, who wer
honored by their country to the high
est extent. lie is charged with bein
no better than Blaine, Deecher, Conk
ling, Plat and other leaders of tn
Republican party. But it is not GU
aim to defend Gov. Clevelan,
! for sowing wild oats i'll his younge
days, nor do we intend to recite til
!, charges against Blaine's early iii
e Enough far more damaging tina
t those against his rival whic
j can be substantiated
the testimony of scores of men no
living in Scott county, Kentuck
Z We are willing to admit that neith'
of the candidates were models
chastity in their younger days. Bot
. Of them may have had their little G
q capades, but both got out of Il
: scrapes honorably, and there the ma
:. ter should end. Years have elapsC
: since then. Both Cleveland al
! Blaine have lived upright lives al
have been honored by their felloy
I men, and why should the scandals
the past be revived at this late day
Is the devout minister of God to
held accountable for the sins commi
ted before his conversion? Must d
temperance apostle be judged by i
acts before his reformation Mu
" Logan be judged by his record as
Democrat thirty years ago, or W
Republicans point with pride to i
!, career since he changed his polite
u principles? Is Blaine to answer aft
III thirty-five years for youthful ind
crctions, and shall Cleveland be ce
sured because in early life he was Il
a. as clrcumspect and continent
SC some men might have been (? y
H. pity the nation whenever such an
y, sue is to be an element in our po
in tics, and we pity the man who dal
Il to become q candidate for any off