Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-09-06
BOYCOTT NOT THE WORD.

SINCE the Atlanta Constitution sounded the boycott" in the south as a force measure to compel northern sena- tors and representatives to vote against the Lodge election bill, the word has beenl thoroughly discussed. Later 1t was suggested as an appropriate cudgel to apply to all newspapers and others who favored the Louisiana Lottery scheme. The New Orleans Picayune has the following somewhat lengthy but certainly able digest on boycotts in gen eral. It will repay perusal:
 The announcement of a boycott against the public press or any portion of it would be a new departure m the proceedings of public representative bodies of citizens
 Nothing is more common or more proper, when occasion may demand, than for individuals to ar raign and denounce, and for pubic bodies to adopt resolutions of dlsap- proval, condemnation or denunciatlon against particular journals. This IS Tn strict conformity to the right Of expres- sion of sentiments or belief which re- sides = with every citizen m the community, and makes up the real pub lie opinion which is the boast of our free institutions and is the bulwark of constitutional liberty.
 Every public journal, if it be read at all, will have following and a patron age among those who approve or toler- ate the principles 1t upholds or the opin ions it expresses. The people to whom it is displeasing or to whose interests It is hostile, will not commonly be found among the supporters. Many people will read the opposition paper m order to see what it may say concerning them and and their affairs, but they can scarcely be classed among its friends and packers. These things always set tie themselves.
 A "boycott" in its strictest slgnitica- tion, is something far more serious than any open denunication against people and their offensive or objectionable acts. It is an engagement by all who enter into it, not only to oppose ln every way the persons and institutions under condemnation, but to extend this Oppos- ition and hospitality to every person and thing that may be in any way con- nected in business or otherwise with the prescribed and virtually excommunicat- ed persons. Thus, it will be seen that a real boycott deals damaging and hostile blows not only upon the direct objects of indignation and displeasure, but upon a great number of innocent persons who have been brought by force of circum- stances in any sort of connection with the parties upon whom 1t Is desired to retaliate.
 Thus, it must be apparent that real boycott is much more in the nature of persecution and prescription of class than it is a punishment and direct re- taliation upon the individuals who have called forth resentment or who may merit retribution. The boycott was adopted by the peasantry because 1t was the only weapon they could use against
 the powerful and wealthy land holders who, supported by the most despotIc laws and backed by all the power of a monarchial government, were grinding the poor peasantry With the most severe and merciless exactions.
 But such measures are not necessary among the free citizens of this repub- lie. They are cntrary to the spirit ol our brave people; they are out Of har- mony with American institutions, and when, in great representative assembly of the American people, they talk of q boycott as a weapon to be used ID domestic political campaign, We feel sure that nobody thinks of its real signi- fication. but it is only intended to eX- press disfavor and displeasure; nothing more. We are glad to say so too, be cause We believe that serious mlsun- derstanding may result from the neon siderate use of terms.
 4 newspaper IS as much responsible for what it says as IS an individual
 The enacted statutes of the country de clare this, as do also the written laws of
 human right to self protection. A lie entous, slandering and scandal monger- ing press always deserves reproduction and should be held to strict account but anything which would tend to de stroy the free expression of proper crlt- icism of the acts of public men and the merits of public measures; anything that would abridge the privileges or a brave, outspoken press, would De as great a calamity to the liberties or the people as it would be in violation or the American bill of rights enacted into solemn constitution.
 Denounce the press, individually or
 by resolution in mass, as much as may
 please our people, but let it be done ID the true American style, not by the process of prescription and persecution These do not become a brave and free people and do not express their feelings or intentions.