The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-08-28
That Settles 1t.

sixties and fools will demand, when a
man is accused of anything wrong,
that he prove his innocence. How
can any one prove a negative? All
the accused has to do is to say mot
guilty" That throws the burden OF
proof upon the accusor.
When Gov. Cleveland was accused
of the crime of fornication, by Demo-
Gratis, we were cautious about believ-
ing it. We wrote to the N. Y. Inde-
pendent, asking whether the report
were true. The editor answered us in
a couple of lines, saying he had no
evidence of the truth Of the. charge,
and he went right along, from week
to week, supporting Cleveland.
The Independent of August 18th,
had an article by Kingsley Twining,
D. D., which started out as follows:
"Letters having been received at the
office of the Independent from two
reputable clergymen in Buffalo, N.
Y, charging Mr. Cleveland. the can
didate of the Independent Republic
cans, with habits of gross immortality
which, if true, would render 1T lmpos-
slble for any Christian man or decent
journal to support him, it was thought
best, on consultation, that | should go
to Buffalo and make personal and
thorough investig gation of the facts.
Accordingly, [ went to Buffalo, and
spent two full days in the most thor
ough investigation. One day | spent
with the gentlemen, journalists, cler-
gymen and others, who are response
bic for the dissemination of the sto-
ries, and following up lines of. lnvesti-
cation suggested by them, and another
In visiting the leading citizens Of Buf-
falo. Republicans and Democrats, who
best knew Governor Cleveland, and
who know all about the stories, and
in getting their judgment as to his
character. This investigation | made
absolutely thorough. | depended on
no reports of the newspapers. or OF
local clergymen or others, but only on
nv own personal investigation of the
case. | am satisfied that | know the
case from fuller information than do
any of those who have given it pri-
vate or public currency"
Then DIR. Twining goes on at great
length, giving the facts, as he found
them, showing that the charges are
true. We. have not space to give his
article. He shows that he puts it in
the most favorable light possible.
Now comes the Independent of
August 21st, with the following edi-
torial, double loaded, to give it promi-
nence and emphasis. Will Democratic
papers please copy?
1.-THE CRISIS AND OUR DUTY.-We
published last week, in our correspond
ence columns, communication from
DR.. Kinsley Twining, one of our edi-
torial staff, giving the result of his
investigation in regard to the Cleve-
land scandal. The grave and serious
part of this scandal, which he declares
that he found to be true, is that which
imputes personal impurity to Mr..
Cleveland in the specific instance that
has come to the knowledge of the
public. We cannot, in view of all 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 unexpected, and with the sud-
den, stunning force of a thunderbolt
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 thor
ough and fearless investigation.
That we felt this in every fiber, and
that we intended to impress this feel
ing on our readers, and to hold our
selves absolutely free to act as circum-
stances required. is the simple truth /;
and our silence as to the Cleveland
nomination from that day was in
tended.
We utterly refuse to accept two
standards Of character. We repudiate
with contempt the doctrine that d
public mans private life is not to be
inquired into. DR.. Twining's sinves-
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 reaIenthu-
siasm to support the tried and, as we
then believed, honest reformer, Grover
Cleveland. Now, without one word
in derogation Of his record as Cover
nor Of this State, our enthusiasm is
wiped out by the discovery Of the
acknowledged and awful facts. !
We hence desire to have all our rea-
lers plainly understand, once for all,
hat whatever has been said in the
of the Independent favorable
% the election of Governor Cleveland
vas SAID prior to the recent lssickening
disclosures IN regard to his private
;haracter, which. have justly shocked
he moral sense of all pure and right
minded people. The attempt now to
orce such candidate upon the people
would, in our opinion, disgrace the
'arty which nominated him, and the
Whole nation, if he should be elected.
We will have no hand or voice in
lelping on this matter, let the conse-
uences be what they may, and we
will not advise the readers Of the In
'ependent to smother their conscience
nd disgrace themselves by engaging
irectly or indirectly in any such
movement.
We are now in serious difficulty as
nation, in regard to the unchecked
rogress of Mormonism; and shall we
ow, in the face of threatening evils
nd perils, plunge into deeper gulf
y any seeming indifference as to the
rieate character of one who has been
ominated to fill the highest office in