The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-08-29
MAKING A MORAL ISSUE.
The New York "Independent" Can't Support
Cleveland.

NEW YORK, August 2l.-The Independent
can no longer support Cleveland. 1t says:
We published last week In our correspond
ence column q communication from DR..
Kinsley Twining, one Of our editorial staff,
giving the result Of his investigation In re-
gard 10 the Cleveland scandal. The grave
and serious part Of the scandal, which he
declares he found to be true, Is that which
imputes personal impurity to Cleveland In
the specific instance th.1 has come TO the
knowledge Of the public. We cannot, In
view of the facts, resist the conclusion that
this part Of the scandal is true, and this Is
quite enough TO determine our course. This
damaging charge came upon US wholly unex-
pected aud with the stunning force Of
thunderbolt out Of clear sky. None we're
more surprised and overwhelmed by 1t than
the Governors friends and intimates among
the independents of Buffalo, and It was q
case that called for fearless and thorough
investigation. That we felt this In every
fiber and that we intended to impress this
feeling upon our readers and to hold our
selves absolutely free TO act as circumstances
required is the simple truth, and our own
silence as to Cleveland's nomination from
that day was intended.
We utterly refuse to accept two standards
of character. We repudiate with contempt
the doctrine that public mans private life
is not to be inquired into. DR.. Twining's
Investigation went on the recognition of this
principle. On this subject as It now stands
We will not be slow to give advice. The con-
dtions have wholly changed since the indie
pendent conference. Then we were ready
with real enthusiasm to support the tried,
and as we then believed, honest reformer,
Cleveland. Now, without word in deroga-
ton Of his record as Governor of this State,
our enthusiasm is wiped out by the discov-
cry Of acknowledged and awful facts.
We desire to have all our readers plainly
understand, once for all, that whatever has
been said In the editorial columns OF the
Independent favorable to the election Of
Governor Cleveland, was said prisr to the
recent sickening disclosures in regard to his
private character, which justly shocked the
moral sense Of all pure aud riglt-minded
people. The attempt now to force such q
candidate upon the people would, In our
opinion, disgrace the party which nominated
him and the whole nation II he should be
elected. We will have no hand or voice in
helping on this matter, let the consequences
be what they may, and we will not advise
the readers Of the Independent to smother
their consciences and disgrace themselves by
engaging, directly or indirectly, in any such
movement.
We are now in serious difficulty as q ma
ton IN regard to the unchecked progress of
Mormonism. And shall we now, In the face
Of Its threatening evils and perls, plunge
into deeper gulf by any seeming Indiffer-
ence as to the private character of one who
has been nominated to fill the highest Office
In the gin of the people? We say no,
thousand times no. Gov. Cleveland should
positively decline to be a candidate and
withdraw Immediately from the canvass and
be compelled to do so If necessary. The
party which nominated him through Its cho.
sen representatives should then re. convene
and select q new ticket that will command
the hearty support Of the people of all par
ties. There is time enough to do this, and
there Is no hope or safety In any other course.
TO stand still now, or attemp. to 60 IDLY
forward, with the present ticket, would in
our judgment be an insult to the people of
the nation and sure death to the Democratic
party, including also Its leaders, and be en-
everlasting disgrace to the republic.