Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-12-21

times noticed statements and insinuatlOns
concerning oursc!f made by lIotchkiss.
We have, III each case, charged him with
willtul falsehood, and challenged him 20
print proofs Of his assertions. This lie
has never dCnc, nor has he ever made an
attempt, except in one instance, when he
procured 4 statement from VIM Cowan as
to conversation which we had with
Cowan, concerning Mr.. Nlegis and the
pcs,-c1icc. In his last Republican Hotcll~
kiss repeats some allegations formerly
made by him, and insinuatcs'th he has
something vet not revealed to the pub
lie, "tull Of richness"
Under some circumstances It mirht he
necessary for us, it might be for anybody,
to at least deny or explain any damaging
statements, which might be made in a
newspaper, but MIR. Hotchkiss is known
in this State to be a man devoid of truth
and incapable Of fairness toward anybody
who has gained his ill.will. He has the
character or want of character, of mali
cious slandercr. He is known TO the pub.
lie and especially to the newspaper pro.
fcssion as caluminator Of the the viest
rank, and no respectable man is required
or expected to make any defense against
his charges. What we have done in this
respect, has been done rather in Difference
to the wishes Of friends than because We
thought it necessary, or even proper. The
church to which he belongs know him to
be fraud. His Pastor, while lie pities
him for his weakness, dlspises him 70:
his hypocrisy. He has made himself
o1ious in the sight Of all good men, and
even the ccnsorious and domincering few
whose interests he came here to champion
are ashamed of having him known as their
mouth. piece, and they are tired Of paying
his bills from week to week, when they
gain nothing by it except additional NOR
LITIGATION and disgrace. In view of al!
these facts we feel that any further de-
Tense against his attacks upon us would
be considered a work Of supcrerogation,
hence we shall give but little attention to
ANYTHING which he may say about our
self; however we request him to make
a full statement to the public of any facts
in his possession, which he may think
damaging to us, but we suggest the pro.
pricty Of his keeping himself within the
records. We arc willing that lie should
publish the truth, but to what extent we
shall submit, hereafter, to his slantlcrous
assertions, We have not wholly decided
1t has always been our wish to have
peace, even it 1t were not possible to have
harmony. An honest difference Of opin.
ion affords no reason for pickering or
strife. While VIC have given publicity to
our own convictions we have sought to
do it in the least offensive manner posi-.
bic, and if the TRANSCRIPT has ut times
seemed harsh and even vlndictive, it
should be remembered that it has ONLY
acted upon the lcfensivc-that it has
struck blows only when its kindness and
forbearancc were interpreted to mean
weakness and timility-that we never
tested the value Of 'stoncs" until we
found that there was no virtue in ''grass"
when used as weapon. We have erect
cd no standard except the right, and We
vii! fight for that rs we are given to see
it, always. We have appealed to no tribu-
nal but the people, and to their bchcsts
we will ever bow subHissivcly We ask
no one to champion any scheme, simply
because it is ours-in everything we ap-
peal to the common sense and the instinct
i've honesty Of mankind, and if we are not
sustained VIC will accept defeat, believing
that in some degree we merit it. If then,
hereafter as heretofore, there is to be con.
tention and strife, we shall be found act
ing upon the defensive.