National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-30

st. John-not the candidate for the
presidency-was subject to visions, but ho
never saw any quite SO surprising as the
vision Of two married men seen by Cleve-
land, and whose story was related by him
to Horatio G. King, and told by helatter
to Mr.. Beecher on his return from Buffalo.
The story WAS a great boon to Beeoher.
He had made up his mind that Cleveland
rOuld not be guilty of breaking the par
ticular commandment cherished by the
plymouth pastor as tho apple of his eye,
and was lovable person nyhow, so whom
the revelation Of the two married men
came to him the self-sacrificing benevo-
lence of the democratic candidate loomed
up before him in the largest proportions,
and caused q considerable amount Of un-
restrainable gush. The story, as put
forth by King, was that in Buffalo were
two naughty men, who had forgotten
their marital VOWS, and became involved
in an affair which it were better should be
hushod up If possible, and in looking
about for party on whom the odium
could be fastened without danger of de-
lection they fixed upon Mr.. Cleveland as
Il suitable candidate, and he was unani-
mously elected by their joint vote.
In ordinary cases OF this kind the ef-
fort usually is to select some one to bear
tho burden whose course Of life will war.
rant the presumption of guilt, and con-
sequently who will not deeply suffer by
taking on little additional infamy but
in this case the two men had no scruples
about casting their shame upon one Of
the exalted natures of the period, and at
tho same time asking him to pay tho
damages which might arise in an affair
of this sort. Mr.. Cleveland accepted the
nomination aud tho infamy and for
several years assumed paternity that
belonged to others without protest and
with resignation becoming one in SO
peculiar situation, while the two mar
ried men laughed in their sleeves at the
neat way Of their escape from disgrace
and their happy manner Of maintaining
domestic felicity in their own homes,
which had been by them imperied.
But in course of time James Freeman
Clarke, of Boston, saw the astounding
improbability inherent in the King story
and took the trouble to call on Cleve-
land, possibly with view to get an in.
PRODUCTION to the two men to administer
to them a wholesome reproof for their sin
against the woman, and their other sin
against tho reform candidate for the
presidency. Now, Cleveland being a re.
int
obstacle to the Boston missionary's work
without exposing himself to the charge
of insincerity, and the only way to gel
out of his dilemma was to own up to the
guilt, and consequently to confess thai
the story told King was II lie made out
of whole cloth, and this he did
This confession acted like charm
upon Mr.. Clarke, and forgetting all about
the sins of tho two married men he turned
back in his journey and hastened to Bos
ton to proclaim that Cleveland was ex
actly like Washington, because he coull
not tell lie This turn in matters dumb
founded Beecher at once, as 1t caused thC
King narrative to collapse like the one
horse shay, and knocked the magnanimity
theory of Cleveland's character higher
than u kite, SO he sot Mrs. Beechor t.
writing beautiful letter TO tho governor
SO much like his mothers letters that thc
governor cams near melting on the in
slant; and he wrote back that other re
markable statement that his poor mother
had not known Of his particular sin which
had "neyer been denied"
Beecher was now in possession Of King
story that came from Cleveland, aud 0
Cleyeland's confession giving the lie t
it, but ut the moment ho was not in soarcl
Of continental liars, 1t not being goot
day for that kind of fish, and he decidec
that in the face of the two statements thl
cause of reform could be best promote,
by maintaining that, as Grover had con
fessed the adultery, no must DO too goot
man to speak untruthully, and hence
the two married men were only spocrypha
characters, whose appearance at the tim,
Mr.. King was in Buffalo was duo Il
mental excitement undor phenomena