The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-30
A ParaIyzing Stroke Dealt.


a man worthy of personal respect Is
dropping away from him. The first
blow has been struck and its effects
are almost paralyzing on the Demo-
cratic leaders. For several days past
it has Eeen known that the leaders Of
the Independent Republicans had
been in consultation and that it was
known too that they were none too
well pleased with the matter that
called them together. Private inves-
LEGATIONS, which were kept secret,
have been prosecuted in Buffalo, and
it was to consider the reports of 4hes.
that the meeting was held. YdsteE
day it was whispered that the Inde-
pendents had decided to make de-
mand for Cleveland's withdrawal. 1t
was TO be made to the Democratic
National Committee, asking that
body to take Cleveland off the ticket,
reconvene the convention and put Il
man of good reputation in his place.
That this course was decided upon
seems to be true beyond doubt. but
the exact line of action in all its de-
tails is not yet settled. The irst step
was taken to day by the L1adepen-
dent which shows how the wave
will spread. The independent is
the leading religious paper of the
country, is not denominitiOnal, and
draws its support from al classes. 1t
announced an intention disappearing
Cleveland when he was nominated,
giving as its reasons that he was a
pure man who would conduct pure
administration. TO-diy, in double
loaded editorial, the Independent as
serts that it cannot support Cleve-
land, and demands mis- withdrawal.
At Democratic headquarters the
terror struck by the independent is
visible at sight. Chairman Barnum
refused to talk on the subject nor
would his lieutenants consent to be
interviewed. Their orders wer, keep
quiet" Messengers were dispatched
at once to Beecher, Colyer and other
leading divines requesting that hey
withhold anything they may havs to
say on the matter for a few days.
There is no doubt that very strong
pressure will be brought to have
Cleveland pulled down, and it looks
now as though the drift will be to-
wards Randall, Of Pennsylvania.
1t is not at all surprising that the
Democrats were appalled, by the In
DEPENDENTS editorial. 1t is as follows,
under the caption:
1.-THE CRISIS AND OUR DUTY"
1--WE published last week in our
correspondence columns a communi.
ton from DR.. KinsIey Twining, one
Of our editorial staff, giving the re-
suit of his investigation in regard to
the Cleveland scandal. The grave and
serious part of this scandal, which he
declares that he found to be true, is
that which imputes personal impur-
ity to Mr.. Cleveland in the specific
instance that has come to the knowl.
edge Of the public. We cannot, in
view of all the facts, resist the con-
clusion that this part of the scandal
is true; and this is quite enough to
determine our course.
"This damaging charge came upon
us wholly unexpected, and with the
sudden, stunning force of a thunder
bolt. out of clear sky. None were
more surprised and overwhelmed by
it than the Governors friends and
intimates among the Independents of
Buffalo, and it was case that called
for Thorough and fearless investiga-
ton.
"That we felt this In every fibre,
and that we intended to impress this
feeling on our readers. and to hold
ourselves absolutely free to act as cir
cumstances required, is the simple
truth, and our silence as to the Cleve.
land nomination from that day was
intended.
1--WE utterly refuse to accept two
standards of character. We repudi-
ate with contempt the doctrine that
a public mans private life is not to be
inquired into. DIR. Twining's inves.
tigation went on the recognition Of
this principle.
"On this subject. as it now stands,
we will not be slow to give advice.
The conditions have wholly changed
since the Independent Conference.
Then we were ready with real en-
thusiasm to support the tried and, as
we then believed, honest refOrmer,
Grover Cleveland. Now, without
one word in derogation of his record
as Governor Of this State, our enthu-
siasm is wiped out by the discovery
ofthe acknowledged and awful facts.
1--WE hence desire TO have all our
readers plainly understand, once for