The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-08-21
CLEVELAND A MORAL LEpER.


For Christians TO Support Him
WOuld Be nm Insult 10 the Ruler
OF NntiOns-Whnt the New York
independent" Says.
Tho Independent, Mr.. Bowen's great rolig-
Gus weekly, which has hitherto looked with
favor on the candidacy of Mr.. Cleveland, in
to.days issue says:
We published last week, In our correspond.
ence columns communicatlonfrom Dr. Klns.
ley Twining, one OF our editorial stan, giving
the result OF his investigation IN regard to tho
cleveland scandal. The grave and serious
part Of this scandal, which he declares that he
found TO be true, Is that which imputes per-
sonal impurlty to MIR. Cleveland In the specific
Instance that has come to the knowledge OF
tho public. We cannot, In view OF all the
facts, resist the conclusion that this part OF
the scandal is true; and this ls quito enough
to determine our course.
The damaging charge came upon us wholly
unexpected, and with the sudden stunning
force Of thunderbolt out OF clear sky.
Mono were moro surprised and overwhelmed
by II than the Governors friends aud init.
II was case that called for thorough and fear.
less Investigation.
That We felt this In every fiber, and that
we Intended TO Impress this feeling on our
readers and TO hold ourselves absolutely free
10 act as circumstances required, is the simple
truth, md our silence as TO the Cleveland nom
ination from that day was intended.
We utterly refuee to accept two standards OF
character. We repudiate with contempt tho
doctrine that public mans private life is
not to be inquired Into. DR.. Twining's invos.
tigalion went on the recognition OF this prln.
ciplo.
on this subject as It now stands, wo Will not
be slow TO give advice. The conditions have
wholly changed since tho Independent confer
ence. Then we were ready with roal entnu.
siasm TO support the tried, and, as we then be.
lieved, honest rcformer, Grover Cleveland.
Now, without one word in derogation OF his
record Governor Of tltg Etafn. al
asm Is wiped out by the discovery OF the ac-
knoweledged aud 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
IHdtl6ndtnt favorable to the election OF Gov.
ernor Cleveland was said prior to tho recent
tickening disclosures In regard to his private
character, which have Justly shocked the
moral sense OF all pure and right-minded peo.
pie. The attempt now TO force such candl.
date upon the people would, In our opinion,
disgrace the party which nominated him, and
the whole Nation, II he should be elected. We
VIII have no hand or voice In helping on this
matter, let the consequences be what they may,
and Will not advise The readers OF the IHde.
leHdent TO smother conscience and disgrace
themselves by engaging directly or Indirectly
In any such movement.
We are now in serious dinlculty as q nation
In regard 10 the unchecked progress OF Nor
monism: and shall we now, in tho face OF
threatening evils and perils, plunge Into a
deeper gulf by any seeming indifference as 10
the TTtCdt6 character OF ono who has been nomi.
mated TO MI the highest oflce In the gift Of the
peoplc2 We say mol n thousand times No
Governor Cleveland should positively decline
to be candidate, and withdraw Immediately
from the canvass, and be compelled to do So if
necessary. The party which nominated him
through Its chosen representatives should
then feconvene and select now ticket that
will command tho hearty support of tho people
OF all parties. There Is time enough 10 do
this, aud there Is no hope or safety In any
other course. To stand still now, or attempt
TO go blndly forward with the present ticket
would, I'm our judgment, be an insult 70 tue
Ruler OF Nations, sure death to tho Democratic
party, including also Its leaders, and an ever.
lasting disgrace to tho Republic.