Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-23
The Crisis and Our DUTY.

We published last week in our CORES pond
ence columns communication from DR..
klnsley Twining, one Of our editorial staff,
giving the result Of his investigation in re-
garl 20 the Cleveland scandal. The grave
and serious part Of this scandal which he
declares that he found to be true, is that
which imputes personal impurity TO Mr..
Cleveland in the specific instance that has
come 10 the knowledge Of the public. We
cannot. in view of all the facts, resist the
conclusion thar this part OF the scandal is
true; and this is quite enough to determine
our course.
This damaging charge came upon US who'll
~ unexpected, and with the sudden, stun
ning force of thunierbolt out OF 4 clear
sky. None were more surprised and over
whelmed by it than the Governors friends
and lnumates among the independents of
Buffalo, and it was a case that called for
thorough and fearless investigation.
That we felt this in every fibre, 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 nomination from that day was in
tended.
We utterly refuse to accept two standards
of character. We repudiste with contempt
the doctrine that public mans private life
is not 10 be inquired into. DR.. Twining's
investigation 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 we're ready with a real
enthusiasm to support the tried and. as we
then believed honest reformer, Grover
Cleveland. Now, without one word in dero-
CATION of his record as Governor of this
State, our enthusiasm is wiped cut by the
discovery of the acknowledged and awful
facts
We hence desire to have all our readers
plainly understand, once for all, that what
ever has been said in the editorial columns
of the Independent favorable TO the election
of Gov Cleveland was said prior to the re-
cent sickening disclosures in regard to his
private character. which have justly shocked
the moral sense of all pure and right minded
people. The attempt now to force such a
candidate upon the people would,in our opin-
ion, disgrace the party which nominated him
and the whole nation, II 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 con-
science and disgrace themselves by engaging
directly OF Indirectly in any such movement
W. are now in serious difficulty as A
nation. IN regard to the unchecked progress
of Mormonism; and shall we now, in the
face of threatening evils and perils plunge
into deeper guilt by any seeming inditfer-
ence As to the pirate character of one who
has br nominated to fill the highest office
in the gilt of the people We say no. a
thousand times No Governor Cleveland
should positively decline to be candidate
and withdraw immediately fr m the canvass,
and he compellt to do so il 1t is necessary.
The party which nominated him through its
chosen representatives, should then reconvene
and select new ticket that will command
the hearty support of the 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 for
ward with the present ticket, would, in our
judgment, be an insnlt to the Ruler of Ma
tons, sure death to the democratic party,
including also its leaders, and an everlasting
disgrace to the republic.