The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
THE MORAL ISSUE IN PoLIrIcs.
Why Religious Papers Refuse to Support Mr..
Cleveland.

Why Religious Papers Refuse to Support Mr..
Cleveland.
New York Independent, Sept. L.
The Independent in its last two issues, has
spoken of Governor Cleveland, the Democratic
candidate for President in terms of severe con
demnation, and declared its purpose to do what it
could to secure his defeat 1t is due to- our
readers that they should know, somewhat in
detail, the reasons which have led to these utter
ances; and this is what we now propose to give,
as briefly as possible.
The charge of Governor Cleveland's impurity
came first to our knowledge in the form of a ru-
NOR, and, without then deciding upon its truth,
we instantly said that if the accusation in it's
essential substance, be true, this is a most con
elusive reason why the American people should
not make him President of these United States
We had not adopted and do not now adopt the
absurd theory that the private character of a.
candidate for Office, on grave question of social
morals, is matter of no consequence, provided
his public record appears to be right
The Evening Telegraph of July 21, 1884, pub
lished at Buffalo, the city of Governor Cleve-
lands former residence, put this rumor into the
form of "a terrible tale,r setting forth, as was
declared, his character as known in the city of
Buffalo and fully specifying the case Of Maria
Haipin in a variety of disgusting details in rela-
ton to times, places, persons and sundry trans
actions. We read the statement without atonce
accepting it as true, but with the fullest CON
viction that it was the slest lie ever told if not
true. The specifications were so numerous and
various as to alleged facts, and these facts were
so recent in occurrence, that the whole story if
mere fabrication, was capable of an instant and
overwhelming refutation. AS a pure falsehood,
it could not live O week without having its real
character exposed, and certainly Governor Cleve-
land and his political friends had the strongest
possible motives to brand the whole story as an
outrageous lie, and stamp it into the dust by
prompt and abundant proof Nothing of this
kind has been even attempted. and the omission
is virtually confession that the attempt, if
made would prove failure.
Soon after the appearance Of the statement in
the Telegraph wo had long conversation with
a clergyman, resident in Buffalo, who, while
processing no knowledge as to the specific facts
set forth in this statement, declared that the
character Of Mr. Cleveland, as known in Buffalo,
and illustrated by these alleged facts, cor
responded with the facts. Mr.. Cleveland while
not more than second-rate lawyer, was
bachelor lived hotel life, was member of a
club of sifast men, was not associated with the
better class of citizens, and was looked upon as
man of loose morals and habits in respect to
the other sex. Such is the picture drawn by this
Clergyman and it has been confirmed to us by
several other similar statements, coming from
persons entitled to respect We could not dis
miss such statements as mere partisan lies, got
up for a political campaign, especially in
view Of the course pursued by the avowed friends
of Governor Cleveland. Their conduct, as we'll
as his, has appeared to us as virtual admission
of the truth Of the main charges against him. 1t
certainly has been most unnatural if the charge
is false.
The Boston Journal, of July 30, 1884, published
a statement of the case as the result of an in
vestigation which it had made by sending a
special messenger to Buffalo for that purpose
This statement contains an interview with the
Rev. Mr.. Ball. Baptist minister Of Buffalo, to
which he affxes his name as being correct, and
refers to several persons in that city as cognzant
of the facts, and also interviews with DR.: Ring
Mr.. Baker and Mr.. Whitney, These interviews
especially that with the Rev. MIR. Ball. charge
upon Governor Cleveland most gross offense
and being published in the journal, they have
been scattered all over the country. They con
sttuted an Imperative occasion for an instant
and easy refutation If they were false The
leaders OF the Democratic party, including
Governor Cleveland himself have made no at
tempt tc furnish such refutation to the public,