St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-25
CoNDONING IMMoRALIrY.

CONDONING INN ORALITY.
The Christian Union referring to the chages
made against the private character of Mr..
Blaine, remarks
Charges, no matter how specific, are not
proof; and in this particular case they are i'm
pertinent, inasmuch as, if proved true, they re-
late to an otfense wholly past, and therefore do
not in the least concern the voter, who has only
to consider the character of the candidate to-
day."
The soundness of the foregoing doctrine,
that lapse oftime condones personal immor-
tality, may be cheerfully submitted to the
consideration and decisions of theologians
and moral teachers. Personal reputation is
Of very delicate fire. Once stained by any
act of grossness, the stain is ineffaceable,
! however much, when followed by subse-
qucnt life of purity, the sharpness of GEN.
sure may be blunted and mitigated.
1t is unfortunate for the reputation of the
country, in the eyes of the world, that the
present Presidential campaign is being
fought over the private reputation of its
leading candidates, rather than in specific
reference to questions and issues pertaining
to administrative and governmental interests.
This personal warfare was begun by assail-
ing the private character Of the Democratic
candidate with the most vehement exagger-
alton and false imputations. These charges
were seized upon by the Republican press
with great avidity, and commented upon in
all the cadences OF offended virtue. Even q
clergyman was given as authority for the
| gross ISLANDERS, whose character subsequent
Investigation has shown to be no better than
that of the wearer of the cloth ought to be,
and the gross falsity of whose charges has
been fully shown. The Democratic press
warned Republicans against this vicious
mode of conducting the campaign, alleging
that their candidate was not invulnerable,
and that retaliation would be sure to come.
The warning was UNDECIDED, and the swift,
avenging Nemesis took up the moral trail in
the track of the Republican candidate.
The allegations made caused great unhap-
piness in the family of Mr. Blaine, and in
spirit of pardonable chivalric defiance be
commenced suit for libel against Demo
cratic journal. This step, as the sequel is
proving, was most unfortunate for Mr..
/ Blaine, his family and the Republican party.
| The public is astounded, and the Republican
party thrown into CONSERVATION, by Mr..
Blaiue's own admissions in answer to inter
rogators put on the part of the defense in
the libel suit, and in letter written to Mr..
Phelps of New Jersey.
The admitted facts seem to be that Mr.
Blaine was twice married TO the same woman,
both times secretly, that the first marriage
was not legal one, therefore, cohabitation
unlawful; that the second marriage, was
legal, and made that the unborn child, the
| fruit of previous Capitalization, might moi
come into the world as an illegitimate off.
spring.
So much this forced admission or comics
sion establishes. Better for Mr.. Blaine
would it have been had he not impulsively
commenced his legal proceedings-had be
ignored the charges, now in substance ad
mitted. Two secret marriages, under the
circumstances given, certainly are not cred
liable to the parties. Better far, for the
reputation of the parties and the country
and the Republican party itself, had this Ions
ago personal history, these secret transaction.
been covered by the mantle of oblivion
This unseemly mode of conducting polit-
zeal campaign, this fostering in persona
should be received on all sides from th,
revelations now made. To the shame of th,
country be it said, the tongue of persona
scandal has been busy with the names o.
nearly all the prominent men of all parties
past and present. Not & single one of the cleo
ted presidents, from Washington down t.
the last, has escaped imputations Of persona
impurity, more or less well, or i'll founded
But until now such an element has not beer
made prominently an issue in the presiden.
tial campaign.
Men are not always what they seem. It /.
clear enough that private, personal historl
will not always bear creditably, exposure t
the light.
II the Presidential candidates were, indeed
(Which is neither her affirmed nor denied)
guilty of imputed youthful errors and indis
cretions, followed by correct morality, in thi
spirit of the theological dogma OF the Chris
tan Union, win it not be best and more Just
to pronounce forgiveness for the past, AM
give due credit for the personal position an.
character of the presentl What can be don,
that is betterl Which course will give u
the greater personal satisfaction. the bitter
relentless, unforgiving objurg2fions of tn,
Iadpesdezst, or the more human, Christlike
forgiving temper OF the Christian UIs on, il
regard to offenses wholly pastl'' nmay no
be inapplicable to remember the spirit AM
Injunction of the Master: ''Neither do
condemn thee. 6o and sin no more"
There appears to be occasion for sympathy
for the Presidential candidates of the grea
parties The spirit OF the times seems t
tolerate. If it does not justify these foul as
PERSONS upon personal character It is al
mo st as much as q mans life is worth. Ger
tainly ss much as his personal comfort an,
character are worth to become 4 candidate
for the Presidency, at the present day. A
soon as nominated, the Eultures Of defama
ton and foul personal sspersion cOnmenc