The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-21
The Blame Scandal.

Jews of charge which makes the
ace of every true man in the demo-
ratio party burn with shame. The
indianapolis Sentinel, a democratic
PAPER published at the capital of In
llama, gravely and substantially
charges that Blaine seduced his wife
before marriage. and this horrid story |
IS enthusiastically given ss part of the
literature of the campaign. Doubtless,
It was intended TO counterbalance
the cruel SANDER of Cleveland,
published sometime since. If so,
it was sad mistake, a beastly
method of meeting wrong. AS though
two wrongs could make one right.
This dreadful act must arouse the
Indignation of every'honorable man
in both parties in all this wide nation.
We believe Mr.. Blaine to be no better
personally than any other leading re-
publican. He has shown himself a
man without nice business or politi-
cal determinations, and careless in
the pursuits of the objects of his am
Dition. In the ough-and-tumble
fight for political distinction these
latter days men do many things which
do not and will not bear a
close scrutiny. But that any
man can be so lost to all the
finer feelings of the human breast to
hatch up from the depths of an incon-
ceivably wicked heart such a charge
as this, seems unaccountable, mon
strously unnatural and improbable.
Yet it has been done. In the name of
all that is pure in this life, is there to
be no stopping place, no depth at
which the distress of politics will call
halt? Even had the miserable charge
been true, Blaine has done all that
mortal man could do to atone for the
dreadful fault. He married the lady,
has lived with her ever since, and has
raised respectable family. In regard
to the vice so common and so dread
full at Washington, he has fal
better record than most of the public
men of the nation. No scandal ha;
ever been attached to him in this way
that we have ever heard of. The fact
is, we do not and cannot believe {
single word of this horrible charge
made by the Sentinel. We refuse tt
believe and have only the severes
consideration for the man who con
ceived it and for the paper which
published it. 1t is terrible, it is hu
initiating and it surpasses human ere
dulity. MOTTO beat Blaine THOUSAND
times, not to insure the permanent.
of democratic power forever, not t,
elect Cleveland or to be president o
the United States would we be willing
to sully our columns with such
charge.
| We are quite sure that the manage
ment of the democratic campaign
knew nothing of the thing and tina
it would regret its having occurred a
sincerely as will the most attaches
friend or ardent admirer of the repub
lican candidate. We are glad that
was not southern paper which CAV
birth to the dreadful charge
| that the paternity of the COW
ardly attack is not locate'
south of Mason and Dixon
line. Now, that it is done, ma,
we not stop to reason on the mode
prevailing at present in this country
The cruel, needles aad wanton charge
made against men in public life
Blaine. unfortunately for him ha
been ever too ready to resort to thi
weapon of defamation. 1t is crue
lesson AMI doubtless it will induc
reformation. He has brought actor
against the paper for Islander. Blu
should he win it, what can ever atom
to the cruelty slandered lad
and the innocent children TO
the vast and unfeel1ng wroni
done to them. Mr.. Blaine should pun
sue this matter to the bitter end; it i
all he can do, legally, but what b
ought to do is to take a double-barrele,
shotgun and go hunting in Indians
while there remains a man abov,
ground who is connected with or re
sponsible for this outrage in an,
way.
AS matter of policy, and even i
the charge is true, it was the yer,
worst thing that could have beeI
done. There are thousands of men il
Indiana and throughout the nation
who will vote for Blaine afte
this, who probably have neve
yet cast anything but
a straight democratic ballot. W,
loose in every way; we have nothing
to gain by tactics so reprehensible
The people of this country fight hare
in politics and give and take blows O
great force, but no man has yet eve
made such a charge as this, involving
the good name of an innocent lady
and bringing the blush of shame tt
the cheeks of innocent children.
A cordign punishment only will
meet this case, and ten years in tht
penitentiary would be light in view Of
the enormity of the thing.