The Portland daily press., 1884-07-29
Cleveland's Character Impeached.

Cleveland's Character Impeached.
We received last Thursday copy of a
paper, not on our exchange list. published in
Buffalo. The paper, the Buffalo Telegraph,
contained an article three columns long set
ting forth with much particularly two dis
tinct charges against the morality of the
Democratic candidate for President. In
plain terms the charges are that he is both
Incorporate and licencious, and that both
faults are gross and habitua'. Something
of this kind has been in the air ever since
his nomination, hinted at in various quar-
ters, but it is first distinctly and def
initely alleged, with specifications of time
and circumstance, by paper published at
his own home, which gives the names of
some of the persons, said 10 be reputable
citizens, who have supplied the information,
and states that the names OF others will be
forthcoming if any denial of the charges is
made. The principal part of the article re-
lates to single case of betrayal, abandon
ment and shameful treatment, all the cir
cumstances of which, as they are said to
be known to many, are narrated with a plaus-
ible appearance of truth. We do not propose
to reproduce the story in the PRESS and we
hope that it, and all the rest, are capable of
= complete refutation. If they are inven-
tions the editor of the paper in which they
appear deserves execration and condign
punishment. If they are true Grover Cleve-
land is not man whom good men and
trl g. L.
United States.
We have not alluded to the matter hithe r.
to because we do not care to give swift ere
dence to a scandal of this sort. There are
some things which make against the credi-
bility OF the story. The New York Tribune
has ignored it, as have some other journals.
1t is said that the whole matter, with the
authority on which it rests, was laid before
the Republican State Executive Committee
of New York when Mr.. Cleveland was a
tion was suppressed. 1t is certain that the
people of Buffalo have given repeated and
extraordinary proofs of rspect for Governor
Cleveland electing him Mayor by the votes
of the best citizena of both parties and Civ
ing him, when candidate for Governor,
the largest majority anybody ever obtained
there. The paper which puts the story in
circulation not long ago published similar
scandal about President Arthur. And on
general principles it is safe and wise to dis
credit charges of immortality which are FIRST
heard of after person has been nominated
for high Office.
On the other hand, the Chicago Tribune
publishes letter from Presbyterian cler-
gyman of Buffalo, who says the story sis
| not a campaign lie, but the saddest and
chester Democratic paper who was Demo-
cratic candidate for Presidential elector
and has withdrawn from both positions,
says he cannot support Cleveland because he
is ''a moral leper." The Catholic Universe,
the organ of the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio,
says the charges "must be met, either by
Governor Cleveland or the Democratic
party;" and if they cannot be met the party
must demand 'his immediate withdrawal
from the head of the ticket" The Boston
Transcript may be supposed to voice the
sentiment of the Massachusetts Independ-
ents, when it quotes with approval the de-
claration of the Boston Journal that be-
trayer of women, man of shameless and
profigate life, should never be elevated to
the Presidency, and, adds: SIS Governor
Cleveland that? That is the only question,
and the Independents will insist on the
exact truth being known"