The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-09-11

Thursday Rad another dOuDle-ledueu
editorial, which is as follows:
THE MORAL ISSUE.
There is no doubt that supposed
availability was the sole reas on that
controlled the Democrats in passing
by such men as Messrs. Bayard, Thur
man. Randall and others of like
stamp, and nominating Governor
Cleveland as their candidate for Pres
ident. Their theory was that he
would run best, and be surest to carry
the great State of New York, and,
especially, that he would bring to the
party large accession Of Republican
votes. This theory at the time looked
plausible. We are not surprised that
the Democrats adopted it, and put
forward Mr. Cleveland as political
reformer, hoping, by the cry of re-
form, to get possession Of the Govern
ment.
1t turns out, however, even before
the active work of the canvass has
fairly begun, that, as to a most vital
question of personal morals, the pri-
vate character Of this so-called reform
candidate has been one of such rotten
ness as justly to destroy all claim in
his behalf to the confidence and re-
spect of the American people. Wheth-
er the members of the Democratic
Convention were acquainted with the
facts in his private life, when they
nominated him, we do not know; but,
for their sake, we will assume that, If
they had known them, Mr.. Cleveland
would not have been the candidate of
the Democratic party. To nominate
such man with this knowledge,
would imply a most astounding lack
of common sense and an equal lack of
moral and political integrity.
Certain it is that the Independent
Republicans, who ignorantly indorsed
Mr.. Cleveland, and publicly declared
their purpose to support him, did not
know the man as the record Of his
private life has revealed him to be,
and which record, by Gods lightning
voice, has been sent with a flash to
every village and hamlet Of the Ma
ton, and thence to the very ends of
the earth. These Republicans cannot,
in view Of what they now know, give
him their support, without the gross
est self-stultifcation, and, indeed,
without Justly exposing themselves to
the charge of gross and senseless hy-
pocrisy. The simple and plain truth
is that the admitted offense of MIR.
Cleveland touches upon domain of
family and public morals so vitally
and so dangerously to the public good
as utterly to disqualify him for the
office Of President, or any other office
in the gift Of the people. This is the
position the Independent, after due
consideration of the facts and our duty
to God and man, took last week, and
means sternly to maintain. Any ef-
fort to evade this conclusion only
makes the duty the more obvious.
IF it be said that what is true Of
Mr.. Cleveland is no more than has
often been true Of other public men,
then we reply that it is high time
that all public men should be taught
that personal and private virtue is not
an immaterial question with the peo-
pie of this country. This lesson
should be so emphasized and proclaim
ed to the world that there will be
no mistake now or hereafter as to
what is meant by it.
The immoralities of a mans private
life are matters which do concern the
public, when that public, with the
knowledge of these immoralities, is
asked to make him the Chief Magis-
trate of a great nation. A debauchee,
known to be, or to have been, such, is
not the man to be elevated to the
office Of President of the United
States. This one fact should be fatal
to him. The people should not, and,
as we believe, will not, SO disgrace
themselves, in the sight of God and
man, and defy the imperative mandate
of sound morals as to bestow this
honor on any such base profigate.
What is our common Christianity
worth, and what is our boasted civil
ization worth, if such black stain in
the character Of candidate for the
Presidency is, in the popular estimate.
to be deemed a matter of no special
consequence? What strange spec
tacle such law breaker, if elected,
would present in the parlors of the
White House! What an opportunity
it would give to Mormon polygamists
to sneer and laugh there at the efforts
of the General Government to sup
press the monstrous denominations In
the Territory Of Utah! What a de-
moralizing lesson it would be to the
young men of the country! What a
barrier to the successful teaching Of
morality from the pulpit or political
platform or in the halls of Congress
All decent people, not to say Christian
people, would have to hide their heads
with a profound sense of shame and
disgust. No! MOI! The majority of
the voters Of this country will not
and cannot approve of any such beast
ly and heathenish standard Of moral
ity.
At any rate the Independent will
do all in its power to prevent the elec-
ton of Governor Cleveland, not from
passion or any personal animosity to
the man, not because it is a Republi-
can paper and believes in the general
principles Of the Republican party,
and does not and never did believe in
those Of the Democratic party, but
solely in the interests of sound morals
especially those of the family. Who
ever else may be elected or defeated, let
Governor Cleveland, with the knowl-
edge the public now have of his pri-
vate character, have the mark of Cain
put upon him as the fitting end of his
public career. We call upon the re-
ligious press of the nation, and also
the Christian pulpit, to speak out in
bold and emphatic language against
his election. The issue now is NOR
al one, and that, too, of the gravest
character; and this is no time for any
timid, half-hearted or half way utter
ances. When the religious press and