The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-18
PROBE THE STORY TO THE BOT
TOM


didates for the presidency but to dis
prove clearly and emphatically the ugly
stories affecting their private lives and
character. Already have Mr.. CLEVE-
LANDS friends been at work and traced
down the Islander about him until they
have relieved it of the element of seduc-
ton entirely. Let Mr.. BLAINR's sup
porters at once do likewise for the honor
,of the country.
The HERALD, in common with the
better, more conservative journals OF
the land, would have reioiced TO see
this campaign based upon an inspection
alone of the public records of these two
prominent men. AS they were,
one or the other, to fill a pub
lie position, their public records
and intellectual qualifications and fidel-
ity to public trusts should have been
the special subjects of inquiry, but the
indiscreet adherents of the Republican
candidate precipitated the campaign Of
personal inquiry and abuse and the mat
ter has become part Of the campaign,
in spite ofgood mems wishes or the pref
erences of conservative journals.
ThisBLAINE story now fairly launched,
must be investigated and the facts sown
broadcast as much so for the country 5
sake as for Mr.. and Mrs. BLAINE's.
Because a man is candidate for the
presidency is no reason why the press
should not discuss an ugly
story about him when once
it has become public property.
No reputable journal would vol
unfairly publish an ugly story about a
private individual, simply for the sake
of the sensation, however humble or
high the citizen. 1t would only be ex-
cusable to subserve some public end, but
when once in the papers as n matter OF
ncws and of public interest, no senti-
mental ideas of delicacy should prevent
a full publication and discussion of facts
whether the man be a day-laborer on the
streets or minister of the Gospel or can.
didate for the Presidency.
If Mr.. BLAINE seduced his wife he is
no better than any,other seducor and his
wife is no better than any other poor
seduced woman. Why shield them and
eXcoriate the lowly and humble with
| public condemnation and scorn? Why
shut the door of society against
some poor, 81 unfortunate CIR
whom seduction has driven tC
the bad or to an outcast's life and
throw a veil ofcharity over the slip o
wife of a candidate for the Presidency
Such sentimental distinctions in socia
ethics are not only unjust, but they are
absurd. Let the sinners against chast
ity suffer the same penalties and the
same ostracism, whether clothed in thu
purple and fine linen of the royal anC
great, or reeking in the filth and rags o
the gutter.
This is justice, and that common
grand impartiality with which society
rs a whole, should view its individual
members. 1t is in the spirit OF tina
unbiased charity and justice tina
CHRIST taught nineteen centuries ago.
In the light Of this story it is absurd T.
say that Mrs. BLAINE is not factor il
the present campaign. 1t is one Of tn
penalties of Office seeking that those VIII
ask the public's support must stand I'm
der the electric glare of public scrutiny
I Il Ia Iii
an applicant for the honors that clusto
around the Mistress of the White HOUSE
as the first lady, socially and politically
of the land.
Is it of no consequence to the Unite
States that the Mistress oftho Executiv
Mansion shall bear an unspotted reputi
ton? Should Il woman with astainupo
her virtue preside there? Should tn
guilty high be exalted, while continuin
to despise and debase the guilty who al
lowly and unfortunate?
All these questions are directly il
volved in the truth or talsity of tn
: BLAINE story. Let it be probed to Il
, bottom, the consequences being whit
o they may. And it is as much due
i MRs. BLAINE as to the country that tn
story should he proven SANDER, if
e he such.
And in the investigation, from its i
- cipiency to the end, no journal in Anne
q lea will hope more sincerely than Il
q HERALD that the character of Nh
4. BLAINE may come out unscathed, pu
a as the lilies, and emphasized as that
II one of the best and highest ladies OF 4
~ land. But if not, lot the country llnC
it, as it has right to do, though t
fact may prove a doubly cruel fate, att
o. so many years of honorable station.