Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-08-07
is Ii True?

the Buffalo story concerning Governor
Cleveland. 1t was printed by Independ-
ent and Democratic journals, and by these
alone spread before the country. 1t has
since been widely commented upon, and
is now occupying a large share of pub
lie attention. The New York Sun, a
Democratic paper, is earnestly demand
ing an investigation. 1t neither affirms
nor denies, but it refuses, under the cir
cuustauces, to ignore the matter. 1t
very properly says it can not be ignored.
II claims that Gov. Cleveland owes it to
himself, aud to the party whose candi-
date he is, that it be met and refuted, if
it can be. while if it can not be success
fully denied Mr. Cleveland is not a fit
candidate for the Presidency.
The New York Post, which is sup
porting Cleveland upon the platform
of so-called reform, has this to say:
"We do not believe that the American
people will ever elect notorious hber-
tine and profligate to the Office of Pres
ident of the United States. At all events
we shall never lend our aid to the cleo
tion of such man."
To this every good citizen will sub
scribe. 1t would be sad day for the
Republic if the people should. with their
eyes wide open, elect notorious liber-
tin, and profligate to the highest Office in
the Nation. We do not think that can
be done.
| But the Post SAYS there is presump-
tive evidence that the report is not true,
because Mr.. Cleveland was elected Mayor
of Buffalo and Governor of New York
since the dat of the alleged occurrence,
and was voted for by his immediate
neighbors, who, it is assumed. would not
have voted for him if the charges were
true This, however, is not sufficient
answer, for the reason that the crimes
might have been committed and not
have been known. The charges can not
be disproved in that way. especially if
them. Is there another way?
The charges, it will not be denied, have
been specifically and authOritatively
made. They are net anonymous allega-
tions. The persons making them are
well known. They are as well known as
any dozen prominent men in Cincinnati.
Well known and responsible names have
been signed to the charges, and the pub
Usher of the paper in which they first
appeared announces that he is ready with
the proof. Names and dates have been
given, and a responsible minister wrote
over his his Own signature that the worst
has not been told. This can not be snuff
ed out with the remarks of the Post
about presumptive evidence. The charg
es are direct and specific, and these, if
they are to be met at all, must be met
by direct and specific evidence.
1t is well enough to say that man
must be pronounced to be innocent until
proved guilty. This is good law, and it
is equally sound in morals. But when
the accuser formulates mis- charges, and
announces his readiness to prove them,
the public will hardly hold a man limo
cent who refuses or neglects to demand
the proof, and especially when the man
is a candidate for the highest office with
in the gift of the American people.
Surely if Mr.. Cleveland is guilty as
charged, it would be worse than dis
grace to send him to Washington as the
Chief Magistrate of the Nation This is
Ia proposition that will not be denied.
Therefore it is not only the privilege.
but it is the duty Of the American people
to know whether these things are true
If the charges are not true they can be-
readily disproved. If, Oh the other hand.
they are true, Mr. Cleveland, should
cease to be a candidate, or if he should
persist in his candidacy he should be
overwhelmingly defeated.
1t is to be regretted that any cause eX-
listed for the discussion of Mr.. Cleve>
lands private character, but the caust
being there and it being of a most seri
Gus nature, discussion is unavoidable. II
can not hurt Mr.. Cleveland if he is inno-
cent. 1t should drive him into retire
meat if he is guilty.
If it is wrong to admit the betrayers
of women and libertines into private SO
ciety; if the door OF the family is to be
guarded 10y faithful parents against
these, how much more imperative is it
upon the people to guard the door Of the
White House against such characters.
The time was when royal persnnages
who ruled kingdoms were debauchers,
but that time has neasurably passed. and
happily our country has not fallen to the
low level whena virtuous woman would
be ashamed to enter the Executive Man
sion and speak to the Chief Magistrate
of the Nation.
We do not affirm the truth of the
charges against Mr.. Cleveland. nor can
we deny them. We know nothing about
them except what has been published, bul
as the case stands prompt investigation
is demanded.
There is enough in the priniples in
volved in5 Ii campaign upon which t.
conduct it, We do not think it necess9-
ry to throw what is called dirt" to de-
feat Cleveland. 1t would have been a
comfort to all decent people if there had
been no occasion for this kind of discus
sion; but If Cleveland is Il libertine and
the betrayer of women, he is not worthy
of even the candidacy of great party
flor President of the United States, much
less of an election.
The question having been raised, it
must be discusSed.-Cin. Com. GaZ.
JAY-EYE-SEE was king Of the turf, but
d., IN EridoS m,