The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-08-15
A FILTH CAMPAIGN.


which it develops. Politicians and
political newspapers feel that they
are licensed not only to dig down
into the private lives and histories
of candidates and expose to the
eager and scandal-loving world al
the dirt ana nastiness they can find,
but also draw upon their imagina-
ton for matter upon which to
hang ecandal. There has never
been candidate for President from
Washington down to the present
time, who has not been the victim
of the Vilest and most scandalloHs
abuse; the traducers did not stop at
the public acts and records of the
nominees, nor has anybody,
especially in late years, thought
Of combining himself in such
matters, to decency or facts. The
present campaign opens with
greater mslignancy in its scandal
branch, than perhaps any CT its pre-
decessors. The Democratic nominee,
almost before the convention which
selected him had adjourned, was
subjected to one of the most Vicioua,
one Of the dirliest assaults upon his
moral character that was ever at
tempted. Hithe to Grover Cleve-
land had borne reputation of which
the purest and very best in the land
might have felt proud; there was
not stain upon him, although for
FIVE years he had been before the
public, and no one had thought of
attacking his morals. His private
conduct was his private effAir, and
the public rightfully had to
do only with his public scis.
He comes before the coun-
try az the almost unanimous
choice of a great party for the chief
Office in the nation, and at once he
is painted blacker and made more
foul than the depraved wretch VINO
neither regards manly honor nor
respects the virtue of woman. If
he were guilty Of the half that has
been charged against him during
the past month. he would be fit
companion only for the vulgar, FL
thy, criminal 1abble of the gutter
and slums. So far the distinguished
gentleman has thought it proper to
do nothing in regard to the assaults
upon him, perhaps deeming his life
the best REPUTATION that could be
made Of the vile ISLANDERS.
Mr.. Blaine has also been cruelty and
viciously maltreated in tue press
and on the stump. In his case the
attacks have been somewhat differ
ent from thoss upon Cleveland.
With Blaine the assaults have been
largely confined to his public record.
His honesty as an official has been
assailed, and letters and actions
which were rightful matters for
pubIio discussion, been referred to
though in malicious, wicked man.
ner. Now, however. an indianapolis
journalist has gone down 10 the
level touched by the lecher of the
Buffalo paper which invented or
circulated the Cleveland and Marie
Halpin story, and sends to the world
q tale in regard to Blaine, which
If true, is a vile scan
dial, and if false a horrible
SANDER. Our telegraphie columns
contain the ugly details. II Mr..
Blaine is dishonest, if he has been
unfaithful to 8 trust, if he has
ever used Office or position coIruptly,
the facts should be laid before the
voters that they might renudiate
him at the pol S as one unworthy
the great and responsible trust with
which he wants to be commissions
ed; but how or why he married his
wife is something that il no way
concerns the people of the republic,
Candidates usually feel that it is
beneath their dignity to tired
seriously these campaign ISLANDERS.
The rule is to accept them as somes
thing which belongs 10 the
nomination, and suffer in
silence, leaving the public to
believe much or little as is pre-
ferred. Mr.. Blaine has departed
from the rule. snd all good men
should applaud him for doing go
While the attacks were confined to
matters with which the voters to
whom he was appealing had right
he remained silent. but when his