The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1891-03-06
SALUTATORY.


the inhabitants of Friday Harbor
and of San Juan county.
1t is customary on occasions OF
this kind for the editor to declare
himself---in other words show up
his platform and state Of what kind
of timber it is built This we pro-
pose to do now and furthermore we /
will always keep copy ofthis very
article for reference, and if one Of
the constituents of THE ISLANDER |
ever is able to point out that we
have acted contrary to the letter
and spirit of the principles here
written down, we will submit a
prominent portion of our person to
be booted all around town and
thank the kickers who wear the
heaviest cowhides.
Firstly, the editor of this paper
is thoroughly and absolutely indie
pendent in politics. He will never
submit to dictation in regard to his
expressions of opinion, and he will
permit no clique or party to use
him as a tool or stool pigeon-if he
knows it. He will always fight
with his whole power for the best
good of the County Of San Juan.
Local jealousies will meet with
little sympathy in the columns of
The ISLANDER, and those who may
imagine that San Juan Island will
be doomed by us to the disadvant-
age of the other islands of this
y beautiful county, will find them
selves grievously mistaken. Occa-
sions will undoubtedly arise where
we shall feel conscientiously forced
to take grounds and hold opinions
contrary to those of many of our
friends. In such instances we can
only promise you that we will write
no word that will not be dictated
by sincere conviction. and single
hearted honesty. We will never
shake with the right hand, and stab
with the left.
On re-reading, the foregoing
seems to express THE IsLANDER's
sentiments pretty we'll, but there
remains more to be added. This
paper will not condemn a merchant
or farmer who visits a saloon for
relaxation, nor will he set the dogs
on a saloon or hotel keeper, because
he knows that the business has
been legitimatized and licensed by
the United States Government, and
therefore has legal right to exist.
THE ISLANDER will not eXtol one
merchant who puts ten dollars in
the contribution box at church, and
cry down another equally good
man, who does not happen to be-
long to his denomination or creed.
In fact, we believe that America,
and particularly San Juan County,
Wash, is free country, and that
we all of us have certain inalien-
able rights that we are free to exer-
else so long as they do not interfere
with the well-being of others. In
this connection we must not be un-
derstood to decry religion, or to
uphold the liquor traffic. One is
the greatest civilizing engine of the
age, and society's strongest bulwark.
The other is unquestionably an
evil-but it is licensed and paving
the state a revenue devoted to edu-
cational purposes, and cannot
therefore justly be criticised, and
still less attacked.
In conclusion the editor desires
to express his very hearty sense of
appreciation of the way in which
he has been met by the inhabitants
of the of San Juan. County Every
man who has approached us so far
has done so with a cordial shake of
the hand, and honest expression of
good will that made us feel at once
at home IN the community. This