Morris tribune., 1884-08-27
A BOMBSHELL.
The New York "Independent" Aban'
dons Cleveland.

One of the first of the purist Eastern
papers which bolted Blaine and hoistee
the Cleveland colors was the New YORK
Independent (Religious). 1t wanted tt
run the campaign on high moral issues
pure personal character and conduct
without speck or blemish-and there
fore it came out headlong for the BAT
falo bachelor. No married man was
good or exemplary enough for it's editor
to support He would be satisfied only
with candidate who kept bachelors
hall.
The Independent article is as follows
eve published last week in our cores
p0ndence a communication from DR.,
KinSley Twining, one of our editorial
staff, giving the result of his inveSti-
CATION in regard to the Cleveland scan
dial. The grave and serious part OF
this scandal, which he declares he
found to be true, is that which imputes
personal impurity to Mr.. Cleveland in
the specific instance that has come TIC
the knowledge of the public. We can
not, in view of all the facts, resist the
conclusion that this part of the scan.
dial 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 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 fibre, 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 to the Cleveland nomi-
nation from that day was intended.
eve utterly refuse to accept two
standards of character. We repudiate
with contempt the doctrine that pub
lie mans private life is not to be in
quired into. DR.. TWining's investiga-
ton went Oh the recognition Of this
principle. On this subject, as it now
stands, we will not be slow to give adj
vice. The conditions have wholly
changed since the Independent confer
ence. Then we were ready with real
as we then believed, honest reformer,
Grover Cleveland. Now, without one
word in derogation of his record, as
Governor of this State, our enthusiasm
is wiped out by the discovery Of the
acknowledged and awful facts. We
hence desire to have all our readers
plainly understand, once for all, that
whatever has been said in our editorial
columns of the Independent favorable
to the election Of Governor Cleveland
was said prior to the recent sickening
disclosures in regard to his private
character, which have justly shocked
the moral sense of all pure and right
minded people. The attempt now to
force such candidate upon the people
would, in our opinion, disgrace the par
ty which nominated him, and the whole
country, if he should be elected. We
will have no hand or voice in helping
on this matter, let the consequences be
what they may. and we will not advise
the readers Of the Independent to smOth-
er their conscience and disgrace them
selves by engaging directly or Indirect
ly in any such movement.
eve are nowin serious difficulty as a
Nation in regard to the unchecked pro-
gress of Mormonism; and shall we now,
In the face of threatening evil and per-
il, plunge into q deeper gulf by any
seeming indifference as to the private
character of one who has been nomi-
mated to fill the highest Office in the
gift of the people? We say no, a thou
sand times no. Governor Cleveland
should positively decline to be a candi-
date, and withdraw at once from the