The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-27

NFw YoRK, 21.-The Indcpen-
dent. the leading religious newspa-
per, in a doutle-leaded editorial
yesterday, said 1--WE published
last week, in our correspondence
columns, communication from Dr.
Kinsley Twinning, one of our edito-
rial staff. giving the result of his in
vestigation in regard to the Cleveland
scandal. The grave and serious
part of this scandal, which he de-
clares that he found to be true, is
that which imputes personal impu-
rity to Mr.. Cleveland in the specif-
ic instance that has come to the
knowledge of the public. We can
not, in view of all the facts, resist
the conclusion that this part of the
scandal is true, and this is quite
enough to determine our course.
This damaging charge came upon
US wholly unexpected, and with the
sudden, stunning force of thunder
bolt out of clear sky. None were
more surprised and overwhelmed
by it than the Governors friends and
intimates among the Independents
of Buffalo, and it was case that
called for thorough and fearless in
vestigation.
That we felt this in every fibre,
and that we intended TO impress this
feeling on our readers, and to hold
ourselves absolutely free to act as
circumstances required, is the simple
truth, and our silence as to the Cleve-
land nomination from that day
was intended.
We utterly refused to accept two
standards OF character. We repu-
diate with contempt the doctine
that a mans private life is not to be
inquired into. DIR. WINNINGS in
vestigation went on the recognition
of this principle.
On this subject, as it now stands
we will not be slow to give advice.
The conditions have wholly changed
since the Independent conference.
Then we were really enthusiastic to
support the tried and, as We then
believed, honest retormer, Grover
Cleveland. Now, without one word
in derogation of his record as Gov
ernor OF this state, our enthusiasm
is wiped out by the discovery of the
acknowledged and awful facts.
We hence desire to have all our
readers plainly understand, once for
all, that whatever has been said in
the editorial columns of the hide
pendent favorable to the election of
Grover Cleveland was said
prior to the recent sickening disclos-
ures in regard to his private char
acter, which have justly shocked the
moral sense OF pure ard right-mind-
ed people. The attempt now to
force such candidate upon the
people would, in our opinion, dis
grace the party which nominated
him and the whole nation if he
should be elected. We will have
no hand or voice in helping on this
matter, let the consequences be what
they may, and we will not advise
the readers of the Independent TO
smother their conscience and dis
grace themselves by engaging direct
ly or indirectly in any such move
ment.
We are now in a serious difficult
ty as nation, in regard to the un-
checked progress of Mormonism !;
and shall we now, in the fact of
threatening evils and perils, plunge
into deeper gulf by any seeming
indifference as to the private char
acter of one who has been nomina-
ted to fill the highest Office in the
gift Of the people? We say no.
a thousand times no 1! Governor
Cleveland should positively decline
to be a candidate, and withdraw
Immediately from canvass, and be
compelled to do so if it is necessary.
The party which nominated him
through its chosen representatives
should then reconvene and select a
new ticket that will command the
hearty support of the people of all
parties. There is time enough to
do this. and there is no hope or safe
ty in any other course. To stand
still now, or attempt to go blindly
forward with the present ticket,
would, in our judgment, be an in
suit to the Ruler of nations, sure
death to the Democratic; party, in
cluding also its leaders, and everlas-
ting disgrace to the Republic.