New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-29

DEF4U4TION AND PUBLIC MORALS.
Republican success this year will be
triumph of public morals. 1t will be a
vindication of private character from series
of wanton assaults made by persistent ana
implacable enemies. Mr.. Blaine escaped
the posoned shafts of calumny during
the war period and while he occupied the
Sneakers chair. 1t was not until he became a
candidate for the Presidency in 1876 that MS
reputation as one of the most honorable men III
American public life was assaied. The attacks
then made bv a group of spiteful prosecutors
were cunningy designed by envious rivals anu
unconverted rebels for the express purpose Oh
defeating his nomination. The investigation
ordered by the House Of Representatives was
fraught with bitterness and passion, ana alter
his hostile critics had had every chance 10 prove
their reckless caumnies, he established MS IN
nocence BY the most unmIStakabie proofs
Even when the evidence was fresh in the minds
Of the delegates to a National Convention, MS
followers voted for him without flinching and
he lacked only twenty-siX votes OF nominal
ton.
From that day to this his personal enc
mics have been merciless ana perseVerlhS
in malignant attempts to destroy his reputation
They have made no new charges nor have they
had any new evidence of the old charges; DIt
fancving that they could succeed by mere ltera-
ton in ut last controlling public sentiment they
have periodically repeated the stale scandals
This wear the attack was made as soon as 1t be-
came plain that Mr.. Blaine was the foremost
candidate for the Republican nomination; ana
a. the evidence of the case was no longer fresh
in npoDle'S memories, it was natural Tor these
vospish assailants to presume upon public lg-
norapce. to trade upon credulity, and to assume
Mr.. Blaines guilt by the processes OF false IN
ferences. artful insinuations and innuendoes, and
defamatory menaces. But the attempt to break
down an honored leader of the Republican
Marty ended in miserable failure. The people
had grown weary of this persistent plotting to
assossinate private character. 1t was in the
interest of public morals that there should be
collapse of this niquitous campaign of defaml-
ton.
The immunity with which private character
is attacked in political campaigns has long Deeh
4 reproach to American public life. 1t was ba ii
enough when merciless assaults were made
mon candidates from the opposite political
| camp after the nominations had taken place.
| Unhappily, the most malignant libcls now Orlgi-
nate with envOus rivals, spiteful critics or sell
| Opnionated censOrs, who are normally OF the
same political faith with those who are maligneh
and the attempts to defeat nominations by
| wauton libeS and systematic defamation are
| more pertinaciOus and diShOnOrable than any
| that are made to prevent elections. ms year
the passion for defamation has been not only
| blind and unreasonable, but shallow and reck-
! less. Certain journals have been so intent upon
iuiuring Mr.. Bane's canvass and have so per
| sistentlv misrepresented his chances and under
rated his following that they have ceased to be
honest and reputable agencies for the collection
of mere news. They have resorted to some of
| the lowest tricks of the political trade, mis-
| representing well-knOwn facts with shameless
| effrOntery, and when their own spurious ana
| pettifogging arguments were cOncluslvely
answered, throwing out vague menaces II fu-
ture disclosures far worse than anything yet
known. Since the nomination OF Mr. Blaine,
defamation has become senseless as well as
| maley0lent. The plain facts OF the political
situation have been deliberately msrcpresent.
His popularity and strength as a candidate have
been minimized The opposition to him has
been grossly exaggerated. In a carnival of cant
and hypocrisy, scandal mongers have chartered
until their wits have deserted them.
And these forsoOth, have been the methods
of so-called refolmers-of men who are seeking
TO make politics respectable! This is the most
disheartening feature of this campaign OF
defamation--the assumption of superior virtue
and immaculate responsibility with which these
disreputable tactics have been accompanied.
For this reason it is a matter for congratulation
THAI the triumph of popular government and
representative institutions to be won next
November will also serve the high ends OF pub-
lie morality in marking the collapse of scandal
Gus warfare'upon private character.
DIR. GLADSTONE'S TACTICS.