The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-20
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS
a Clergyman Defends the Report Of the
Ministers in the Cleveland Case.
The Recent Outrage at Augusta Considered
an Adroit Scheme to Throw Calumny
on Mr.. BIaine-A Former Libel.
TWO INVESTIGATIONS.
A Clergyman Defends the Report of the Buff.
faIo Clerical Association.


a Clergyman Defends the Report of the Buff
faIo Clerical Association.
They can know nothing personally Of the immoral
tiles Of mon who are not members Of their congrega
lions What they learn about them assure to be hear
saw the tatte Of the busybodes who are delighted to
be able to tell the pastor of the wickedness which Is
going among people who make no pretense of be-
ing religious, and they apt to receive it with
credulity which sometimes very unfortunate-From
the Report of the Sixteen Independents.
To the Editor of the New York SUM
The independents of Buffalo-those which re-
main even unto this disappointed a commit
tee of investigation, and upon the report of this
committee they base the verdict which they
have given to the world &c. weeks ago, the
Clerical Association Of Buffalo appointed a sim
liar committee, formed a verdict which, though
not embodied in any formal statement, has been
sufficiently given to the world.
Now, am very sure that it Is not wise in any
controversy to call Names as the boys would
say, but / greatly fear that the two simple facts
which have recited taken in connection with
the quotation from the letter-missal of the Buff
falo Independents which prefix to my commu-
nication, go very far to justify the epithet of
Pharisee, which in the present day is not uncon-
nected with the name of independent Certain
ly it is bit Of egotism which this political
nant rolls under its tongue, and with manner so
bland as to give the impression that it is their
favorite and daily food. | ask leave to justify
this inference by two or three plain and simple
reasons.
First-The Clerical Association of Buffalo are
more in number than the Republican admirers
of the honorable defendent, who now constitute
the Independents of the same city.
Secondly They are as well qualified to sit in
Judgment upon the evidence of the case. Our
critics and opponents here are made up of bust
ness men and lawyers; some of them without a
liberal education, and some others yet am
bltiously waiting for large professional knowl-
edge of evidence and its use in the courtroom.
q n ot OVnPhOl6
make when we aspire to the credit of equal hon
esty with the noble remnant
But more than this, even. We had special
advantages Of an incidental character. We had
no companion to defend nor espoused candidate
to acquit. We have not been hail fellows in
the Office and the club, and our investigation
was completed before the fatal meeting Of the
independents in the city of New York. We
also gathered our evidence at a time when its
political Importance was not suspected, and
when the original parties under no constraint,
and with no artificial hopes, were likely, if ever,
to tell true and natural story.
These are some of the reasons which make
me almost willing to charge our righteous rem
nant with a slight leaning towards pharisaic
egotlsm.
Hear the conclusion of the whole subject In
q matter of the gravest moral import and of the
deepest public concern, without any partisan
ambition or motive, we have sat as jurors and
made known, in letters written by our own
hands, our verdict
w have not invoked our office" any more
than the lawyer and the politician have invoked
their offices, but have only exercised the right
of our manhood and our citizenship-rights
which are not forfeited but emphasized by our
calling. While we make no claim Of superior
wisdom or virtue it is not in our mind to con-
cede this superiority to those who differ from us
NOT even the remnant of independently in our
own city There is neither social, nor moral, nor
intellectual reason why they should go above us
We have said to the public if you vote for the
Izlr<l
House They have said His reputation for
morality has always been good and even we,
who are political purists expect to vote for
him.
Let clean and conscientious men judge be-
tween the two verdicts
BUFFALO CLERGYMAN
BUFFALO, Aug 16.