The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-09-18

Cleveland and his political friends had
the strongest possible motives to
brand the whole story as an outrage
Gus lie, and stamp it into the dust by
prompt and abundant proof. Moth
ing of this kind has been even at
tempted. and the omission is virtually
a confession that the attempt, if made,
would prove failure.
Soon after the appearance Of the
statement in the Telegraph, we had
long conversation with clergyman,
resident in Buffalo, who, while PR
Tossing no knowledge as to the specific
facts set forth in this state ment, de-
clared that the character Of Mr.. Cleve-
land, as known in Buffalo and illus
trated by these alleged facts, corre-
~ponded with the facts. Mr.. Cleve-
land, while not more than a second
rate lawyer. was a bachelor, lived a
hotel life, was a member Of club of
fast men," was not associated with
the better class Of citizens, and was
looked upon as man OF loose morals
and habits in respect to the other sex.
Such is the picture drawn by this
clergyman, and it has been confirmed
to us by several other slmil state
ments coming from persons entitled
to respect We could not dismiss such
statements AS mere partisan lies, got
ten up for political campaign, espe-
ciallv in view Of the course pursued
bv the avowed friends Of Governor
Cleveland. Their conduct. as well as
his, has appeared to US as virtual ad
| e 1e h.
charge against him. 1t certainly has
been most unnatural, if the charge is
false.
The Boston Morning Journal, of
Jnlv 3Oth. 1884. published statement
of the case as the result Of an investi-
cation which it had made by sending
a special messenger to Buffalo for that
purpose. This statement contains an
interview with the Rev Mr.. Ball, a
Baptist minister of Buffalo. to which
he afixes his name as being correct,
and refers to several persons in that
city as cognizant Of the facts and also
interviews with DIR. Ring, Mr.. Baker
and Mr. Whitney. These intervie Ws,
especially that with the Rev Mr..
Ball. charges upon Governor Cleve-
land most gross offtnse: and, being
published in the Journal, they have
hppn scattered all over the country,
They constituted an imperative occa-
sion for an instant and easy refuta-
tion if they were false. The leaders
of the Democratic party, including
Governor Cleveland himself, have
made no attempt to furnish such a
| l. L, 10
with full knowledge that this ques-
tion was exciting the profound atten-
ton Of the whole American people.
and was proving exceedingly damag-
ing to the political prospects Of Gov
ernor Cleveland.
The New York World, of August
9Th, 1884. published an interview with
General King, who. as the friend of
Governor Cleveland, had visited Buf-
falo for the purpose Of doing some
''detecsive work" on his "own ac-
count" He says:
''The facts seem to be that, many
: years ago, when the Governor was
sowing his wild oats, met this woman
with whom his name has been con-
nected, and became intimate with her.
She was a widow, and not a good wo-
man. by any means. Mr.. Cleveland,
learning this. began to make inquiries
about her, and discovered that two of
his friends were intimate with her at
the same time as himself. When a
child was born, Cleveland, in order to
shield his two friends. who were both
married men, assumed the responsible
ity Of il"
: General King, as reported in this
interview, claims that Mr.. Cleveland,
being the only unmarried man"
among ''three of her four admirers -
, acted honorably in shouldering all the
responsibility of the whole affair, "af-
ter the child was born," and thus re-
; lieving the others of embarrassment" "
The General also adds that Governor
Cleveland himself, in subsequent in
: terview, assented to the substantial
truth of his version Of the Cleveland
scandal. The New York World, of
the same date, in commenting upon
) the interview with General King,
said: ut has been asserted and is
true that Governor Cleveland once had
sporadic association with a middle
aged female, and that an illegitimate
child, born to the woman, whether
his own offspring or not, has been
cared for and protected by him" The
World inquiries whether this is ''an
offense objectionable"
The Democratic papers, in resorting
to various forms of apologetic casuis-
try for the offense, not only concede
the substantial truth of the main
charge, but also the necessity of MAX
ing an apology for it, in order to
break, as far as possible, its force as
an objection to the candidacy of Gov
ernor Cleveland. We, then, assume
as fact, admitted and known to the
people, that, some ten years ago, Mr..
Cleveland, when he was about forty
years of age, was guilty of the offense
imputed to him, and that he is the re-
puted father Of bastard son, now
living in Buffalo, and who, to the day
of his death, will be stamped and hu-
mlliased with the disgrace Of his lille
gitimacy.
The question, then, is not whether
God or man will or should forgive
Mr.. Cleveland upon his sincere repen-
tance for this sin, but whether, with
private character stained with this
disgusting infamy, he should, by the
deliberate act and voice Of the people,
he made the Chief magistrate of this
great nation. That is the question
which every voter must face. If the
facts were not known, or if there We're
grounds for reasonable doubt about
them, the case would be entirely diff
ferent. The facts, however, are known.
There is no pretense Of any denial or
refutation of the chief facts in the
case; and if the people Of the United