Independent Statesman

THE CRISIS AND OUR DUTY.

We published last week, in our correspondence columns, a communication from Dr. Kinsley Twining, one of our editorial staff, giving the result of his investigation in regard to the Cleveland scandal. The grave and serious part of this scandal, which he declares that he found to be true, is that which imputes personal impurity to Mr. Cleveland in the specific instance that has come to the knowledge of the public. We cannot, in view of all of the facts, resist the conclusion that this part of the scandal is true; and this is quite enough to determine our course.

The damaging charge came upon us wholly unexpected, and with the sudden, stunning force of a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. None were more surprised and overwhelmed by it than the Governor's friends and intimates among the Independents of Buffalo, and it was a case that called for thorough and fearless investigation.

That we felt this in every fiber, and that we intended to impress this feeling on our readers, and to hold ourselves absolutely free to act as circumstances required, is the simple truth; and our silence as to the Cleveland nomination from that day was intended.

We utterly refuse to accept two standards of character. We repudiate with contempt the doctrine that a public man's private life is not to be inquired into. Dr. Twining's investigation went on the recognition of this principle.

On this subject, as it now stands, we will not be slow to give advice.

The conditions have wholly changed since the Independent Conference. Then we were ready with a real enthusiasm to support the tried and, 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 the 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 a candidate upon the people would, in our opinion, disgrace the party which nominated him, and the whole nation, 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 smother their consciences and disgrace themselves by engaging directly or indirectly in any such movement.

We are now in serious difficulty as a nation, in regard to the unchecked progress of Mormonism; and shall we now, in the face of threatening evils and perils, plunge into a deeper gulf by any seeming indifference as to the private character of one who has been nominated to fill the highest office in the gift of the people? We say No! a thousand times No! Governor Cleveland should positively decline to be a candidate, and withdraw immediately from the canvass, and be compelled to do so if it is necessary. The party which nominated him through its chosen representatives should then reconvene and select a new ticket that will command the hearty support of the people of all parties. "There is time enough to do this, and there is no hope or safety in any other course. To stand still now or attempt to go blindly forward with the present ticket, would, in our judgment, be an insult to the Ruler of Nations, sure death to the Democratic Party, including also its leaders, and an everlasting disgrace to the Republic."

N. Y. Independent.