The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-21
CLEVELAND REPyDIATED.
The New York Independent Re
pents.
CleVeland's Election Would be San Insult
TO the Ruler of Nations" and can Ever
Insting Disgrace TO the PubIie.'

The New York Independent Published today
contains the bold and awakening article we
reproduce herewith. The Independent as all
know, is one of the most influential and wide
ly circulated religious journals in the land.
For reasons which seemed sufficient to itself it
repudiated the Republican nomination, and
earnestly supported Gov. Cleveland. Its eyes
have been opened by the revelations made cor
corning that candidates character and in the
following article it strikes a note which will
quicken the conscience OF every friend of reli-
gion and morality who has for any reason cen
templated supporting for the highest office in
the land the present Governor of New York
THE CRISIS AND OUR DUTY.
We published last week, in our correspond
ence columns, communication from Dr.Kins-
ley Twining, one of our editorial staff, giving
the result of his investigation in regard to the
Cleveland scandal. The grave and serious
part OF this scandal, which he declares that he
found to be true, is that which imputes person
al impurity to Mr.. Cleveland in the specific
instance that has come to the knowledge of
the public. We cannot, in view of all the
facts, resist the conclusion that this part Of the
scandal is true; and this is quite enough to de-.
termine our course.
The damaging charge came upon us wholly
unexpected and with the sudden, stunning
force of a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.
None were more surprised and overwhelmed
by 1t than the Governors friends and intimates
among the Independents of Buffalo, and it
was a case that called for thorough and fearless
investigation.
That we felt this every fiber. 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 Cleveland
N q from hat fn40 l-I
We utterly refuse to accept two standards
OF character. We repudiate with contempt
the doctrine that public mans private life
is not to be inquired into. DIR. Twining's 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 ready with real
enthusiasm to support the tried and, as we then
believed, honest reformer, Grover Cleveland.
Now, without one word in derogation Of his
record as Governor of this State, our enthusi-
asm is wiped out by the discovery of the ac-
knowledged 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
Independent favorable to the election of
Governor Cleveland was said prior to the re-
cent sickening disclosures in regard to his pri-
vate character, which have justly shocked the
pie. The attempt now to force such a candi-
date upon the people would, in our opinion,
disgrace 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 disgrace themselves by engaging di rectly
or indirectly in any such movement.
We are now in serious difficulty as a nation,
in regard to the unchecked progress of Nor
monism: and shall we now, in the face of
threatening evils and perils, plunge into a
deeper gulf by any seeming indifference as to
the private character of one who has been
nominated to fill the highest office in the gift
of the people? We say No! a thousand times
No! Governor Cleveland should positively
decline to be a candidate, and Withdraw i'm.
mediately from the canvass, and be compelled
to do so if it is necessary. The party which
nominated him through its chosen Iepresen-
tatives should then reconvene and select
new ticket that will command the hearty sup
port of tho people of all parties. There is time
enough to do this, and there is no hope or
safety in any other course. To stand still now,
or attempt to go blindly forward with the pres.
ent ticket, would, in our judgment, be an in
suit to the Ruler of Nations, sure death to the
Democratic Party, including also its leaders,
and an everlasting disgrace to the Republic.