Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1881 — “Punched” [ARTICLE]

“Punched”

Mac intimates that if we m*ke certain explanations, (hat we might jet our fcesd “punched,” and that implies that theie moat be a puncher, and we suppose from other hints of the distinguished and auis editor, th-it he wonld have u* understand tbst Rensselaer's moral instructor, Ben Reynolds, is tbe gentleman referred to as tbe puncher aforesaid. Whatever may be said of the moral acter of Mr. Reynolds or his business, it must be admitted that be has his own view of tbe matter, and that be is brave enough or at least brazen enough to carry bis views to a practical issue. The law gives him the riebt to do this in rpite of. the wishes of tbe people, and de*pi|o whst many consider fsr the best interests of our community, a Newton county jury haa declared that he has the right. We are charitable enough to concede this right, as legally considered. But it is our privilege to hold our ewn opinion of the justice of tbe law that gives him this and of his action in taking advantage of the privileges granted him by the courts, of forcing himself and hia di-reptuabie business upon an unwitting and outraged community While we willingly cnaoode to Mr. It rnolds bis rights in the case, nnd his right to differ with us, honor, if he has any, gentlemanliness, if lie is susceptible of such a virtue, would impel him to grant us the right of hoUh-g our own opinions, and not only that, but the right of expressing them as well We have pursued our own course in this s*lo»n question; we believe wo have beer, guided by our convicions of duty and uur sense of right; Mac says from a desire for popularity- So be it. We certainly da not court the condemnation or contempt, of respectable people. If Mao choses rather to consort with the saloon keepers arid the slums, he certainly has our consent. We shall maintain our position regardless of fear or favor. We hate done this while some of our best friends have held that a license system would be preferable to tbd situation of uiiiiirg that has obtained for some timep ast. they have thought none the less ol us that we maintained an bon- st adhereuce to our convtc. tions. The same consideration is due them from us. Mao tacitly acknowledges whence he desires popularity, and his desire is gratified. He printed the uotices, collects l the money, failed to rxis* hjs voice or move his fabep in behalf of temperance, aud lie has tiie encomiums of ol saloouisijs the blear-eyed praise of the gutur snipe, and the reprouthlul rxetn.svu» nt tiir.nocciit oues made to sutler by m- unsi-f the additional saloon he has aided to establish to our midst, through hi active encouragement in pnutiug the rioiieoa lor profit, ttii.l his siknt acquiescence in uot openly es. pausing the cause of temperance W> williugiv accord to the distinguished and experienced editor tne notoriety he has so gallantly won. We humbly re.-igu ouislves to the obscurity ul un. "amateur.*’ He need uot always be thus obscure, for Mac has pointed out the w.iy iu which v.e may yet g*in .notoriety. Our head is to be “punched ’ —and by u saloon keej er—and for expressing our honest opinion. Truly we shall ueeui it a high honor, aud no inure then will wu be an “stmirur.” The (Kilnin' ol th.it appellation vvili no longbr apply t-: us Freed from the shackles th-.t tiud us ; iu lowly estate, w. shall he permitted to j rise above tlie sphere tu only fur ‘femateur*- ! editors and dw.-il in the realms made gl I rious by the evaue•‘cent light that radiate* i fr* m his inlelligent countenar ce a pen uiuu- I beriers caujlius that wan nrou u bis lhr. no ' eager to catch the w *rJs f wisdom that fail, like dew, from bis honied lips. „ | We suppose that Mac’s fe..rs for our sai<*. ty Were aroused by tharemembrance of tin- | vidit he received l«st fall from a c- rtnii. | Montieello saloonist whose bills for nuiucr- I drinks our intelligent editor Could uot . i*. ! charge. Perhaps he remembered the vio lent threats made by the irate s. k. in c.v.e bclllcuient for those small drinks waa not forthcoming, uud in the gooutt, ss of bis heart, was constrained lo give us a gentle hint, that we might avoid having our beau “punched.”