The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-08-21

columbus Sunday Herald.I
That Cleveland SScandaI."

Carl Schurz, g. orge William Curt
Henry Ward Beecher and other So
called Independents" both lay and
clerical, (men who affect to favor pur-
ity of principles, and purity Of NOR
ais, manners and methods in public
oficials,) have issued an address to
the American people in which they
hold uD Grover Cleveland as stand
ard of American manhood; as an ex-
emplar for the young men of the ma
ton; as man of pure morals; Of ire
proachable private life; as fit per-
son to be chosen President of the
United States.
At the time when this address was
sent forth the men who prepared it,
approved it, and ordered its publica-
tion, were thoroughly cognizant Of
the antecedents Of Mr.. Cleveland,
They knew (for the fact was notori-
Gus and admitted) that nine or ten
years ago their manly and moral hero,
Grover Cleveland, under promise of
marriage, seduced Maria Halpin, a
virtuous and accomplished young
lady, his social equal in every par
ticular; that subsequently, he abduct-
ed their child, and caused the "woe-
full mother, crazed and frantic be-
cause Of the disgrace brought upon
her by heartless libertine, to be i'm
prisoned in an insane asylum. These
pure and just men must entertain
singular notions as regards purity Of
morals, human faith, mans rights,
and woman's wrongs.
IF that young lady's father or
brother had shot Grover Cleveland
to death because Of the fragrant crime
against womanhood-against human
itv-no jury in America would have
suffered one hair of the slayer's head
to fall to the ground. American
manhood revolts at the idea Of pun
ishing'a man for so avenging the
wron gs of daughter or sister. Yet
because white-livered male relative
Of the victim compromised the mat
ter for money, under pretense of avoid
ing public scandal, it is assumed
that the offense has been ''condoned, -
and that Mr.. Cleveland's reputation
is as pure and unsullied as though he
had never wrecked human life; as
though he had never departed from
the paths Of honor, rectitude and de-
cency!
Reasoning such as that may satisfy
''pure men" and great ''reformers,' ~
such as Schurz, Curtis and Beecher,
who have lived so long in moral at
mosphere contaminated by the pesti-
lent teachings of Victoria Woodruff.
Tennie G. ClaAin, and people of that
sort, that they are no longer able to
distinguish between vice and virtue,
crime and innocence.
So long as there was reasonable
doubt as to the truth of the story the
Sunday Herald declined to comment
upon 1t or give it prominence. But
there is no longer doubt of the SUBJ
stantial truth of the narrative origi-
nally printed in a Buffalo paper, and
copied by the Cincinnati Enquirer
and other Democratic and independ-
ent papers in different parts of the
country. Neither Mr.. Cleveland nor
any one for him, has ever denied the
accuracy Of the story. The facts are
youched for by substantial business
men and respectable clergymen Of
the city Of Buffalo, Cleveland's home.
Some Of our high-toned contempor-
aries, both Republican and Demo-
cratic, while referring to the fact that
a scandalous story is afoat about Mr.
Cleveland, decline to state the facts,
on the ground that it is an unclean
story, a filthy narrative. truth unfit
to be told; as though uncleanness and
filthiness do not pertain rather to
libertinism, lascivious conduct and
rank injustice than to statement of
facts in decent language; and as
though the people have not the ri ght
to know the truth about the antece-
dents of men who are candidates for
high public trust. A journalist is a
dispenser Of facts, a public teacher;
and every true Journalist recognizes
the fact that prudishness may be no
less reprehensible than puriency.
Because a fact is disgusting, it does
not follow that it should be ignored
or suppressed.
The only answer made to this dam
aging statement by Cleveland's
friends is that the alleged liason took
place long time ago; that he has re-
pented Of his youthful indiscretions:
that there was nothing very wicked
about the affair; and that general be-
lief in the truth of the story will work
no injury to him as candidate. We
think they are mistaken. We be-
lieve with Bishop Gilmour and other
clergymen who give tone to. the re-
ligious press Of the country-believe
with thousands of Christian men of
all denominations. and with other
thousands who adhere to no relig-
ious society-that decent women who
are cognizant Of the facts will not
care to approach the White House
should Cleveland become its master.