Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-28
Grover Clevelands Personal Char.
acter.


From the Boston journal, 25th.)
We have been repeatedly and warmly assured by
democratic and Independent journals that the present
campaign is to be prominently one based upon
character The independent platform opens with the
declaration: 1.-The paramount issues Of the Presi-
Dental election Of this year is MORAL rather than
political" The New York independents based their
call upon "the interests OF public morals" The New
York Evening Post, few days since, remarked ::
ave presume there very few observers of the
political field to-day who doubt any longer that the
personal character Of The candidates is to be the
great issue and the chief topic of discussion in the
canvass" We have therefore the very highest in
dependent authority when we urge the Importance OF
investigating, and not Of investigating merely, but
of indicating If that be possible. the personal char
acter OF Grover Cleveland the democratic candidate
for the presidency. 1t cannot be said that we have
intruied the personal issue into the canvass; I
has been pushed forward by the other side. The IN.
measured audations of Governor Cleveland and tn e
unsparing and malignant aspersions ot Mr.. Blaine
which have constituted. up to the present time
pretty much all there is Of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
dent campaign. not only justify but compel an ex
animation of the personal character of the demo
cratic candidate.
TO what disclosures ia such an examination likely
the solution of the question.
The Morning Star. Baptist paper published at
Dover. N. H.. aud for nearly sixty years infuen.
eatal and respected representative of its denomina
ton, in Its issue for July 49, in an editorial article
upon the democratic candidate, used the following
xtraDrdinary language:
Historians agree that lust in high places is one
Of the greatest perits TO pujiir mDrais an lti)n1
security. ,couid be a most alarming symptom OF
ruin to this Republic il personal crimes pere to be
'gnored ~ candidates for office The SAFETY OF the
Republic, The msrdis Of the people. the best interests
Of goung men, require that the riilaiRs should be
exposed and the penalty Of uniform defeat be risted
upon erery man rho is c0Hricted Of crime. There
ar" papers il, NeT York Stite that openly accuse
the democratic candidate for the Presidency of com.
Knitting crimes against chastity Which, Uhe is guilty
ofthem, make the mention This name in connection
NTH the White House a gross saeriiege. Soieiy in
the interests Of morality d0 refer to this sicken-
ing subject. II Mr.. CiereiaHd is innocent. let be
made 10 appear. Such charges as these are notl,tO
be- ignored. WIth such eriience lies before us at
this wrtiag, rouid be criminal for US 10 Gorbedr
saying fhIs much. ne ioafhs Mormonjs,a, but not
hair much as ioathe kindred crime that does
not eren seek the sembidace Of lar Of taaItcis
for Us juStifcdtioH."
This is not the language of malignant partisan
ship. but Of the outraged moral sense, crying out
against sickening iniquty in character paraded be
fore the public eye as a model of integrity. 1t is
scarcely be supposed that conservative religious
journal would such words of candidate of q
great party for the president Of the United States
unless it had in its possession evidence which made
It imperative duty to speak, and to speak plainly
What the evidence is we have authority to say
What 1t may be. it is not difficult to guess. from 9th
er material at command.
Last Monday evening n reputable Buffalo journal
published at Gov. Cleveland's home, devoted three
columns of its space to plain, straightforward and
explicit narrative of the Governors immoralities
Gross RIGHTEOUSNESS and drunkenness the of
fences positively alleged against Gov Cleveland. and
the details given of particularly heartless
case with which the Governors name is connected
Prominent citizens of Buffalo are named specifically
AS possessing knowledge of the facts, and ready,
necess ary, to substantial tie them in court.
If these assertions are true, It Ia time that the
masquerade of Grover Cleveland as the embodiment
of personal integrity should come to an end. We do
not believe that the American people, IL these state
ments proved to be true, would elevate TO the
presidency of the United States betrsyer of women,
man OF shameless and profigse life. But il these
assertions are not true, it must be easy thing to
disprove them They are not vague, but specific the
persons concerned in them, with definite knowl-
edge of themare named The charges not TO be dis
posed Of a. idle scandal campaign calumnies. Re
spon,ible parties behind them. and can be held
accountable for them. We submit these three prop
ositions, and shall be pleased TO maintain them
against all corners:
First, that Grover Cleveland cannot ignore these
accusations,
Second. that if they true, he is not fit for the
position which he holds, and far less fit to be
placed at the head of fTty five millions of people.
Third, that the failure TO meet and disprove these
charges will be a confession or guilt.