Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1917-06-02

TO Ine uquOf interests. GU insert
advertisements for them, among them
an especially prominent one on the
great and wonderfully recuperative
qualities of beer.
In case of continuance, much as
they regret it, the board will feel
obliged to withdraw patronage from
the "Palisadian."
Respectfully submitted,
w. S. Foringer,
Church clerk.
Mr.. w. S. Foringer,
Church Clerk,
Congregational Church,
Grantwood, N. ].
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 18th is received.
l note that you say you have been
instructed to inform me that unless
/ eliminate the advertising of beer
from the columns of the "Palisadianv
all patronage from your church board
will be withdrawn, "as much as they
regret it."
In other words, your board would
institute boycott against US, which
is violation of Federal Statute.
Now, l do not mind meeting any
issue in the open, and l am answer
ing your letter that way. l have no
defense for printing whatever adj
vertising we may feel is not menace
to public morals, and on the question
of beer, there is too much divergence
Of opinion for me to draw the line.
Your board is privileged to adopt
whatever action it pleases on all mat
tiers, and l reserve the right to do
the same. l have never had the
slightest thought of violating public
morals, or of offending the public con-
science, by printing the character of
advertising about which you COM
plain or any other. In fact, any idea
of its being morally wrong to print
beer advertising never entered my
head. Aside from the so-called food
value thought by many of the best
experts to be in matted drink, l hao
not thought of the subject even from
that viewpoint. AS moral agent,
beer is scarcely more of a menace
than other kinds of food or drink,
taken in moderation. In a public
debate some months ago in your own
church, at which l was an interested
listener and participant, on the SUBJ
ject of strong drink, there was ac-
tually decision rendered in favor of
anti pfohihi tion. and this inside of
your own church walls. This, of
course, meant only that on the merit
of the arguments presented, the anti
or negative side won. This only
proves fair minded contention that
there are two sides to all questions.
Personally, on the saloon issue, l
have my own views. | never visit
saloons, and have nothing in common
with them. Therefore, | am not per-
sonally an agent favoring them one
way or another. | am against Sum
day opening, principally because it
is against the law. But one does not
solve the evil of drink by shutting up
the saloon Sundays or any other
day.
l shall not demur against your de-
cision to boycott this newspaper, if
you feel that you are in duty bound
so to do. The opinion seems to pre-
vail in the minds of many that have
catered to the Congregational Church
interests, and yet you have not done
anything of great moment towards
extending us patronage. Besides, if
you did extend us patronage merely
because you thought l was catering
to you for this specific purpose, l
would not want it. l am not built
that way.
For your own and your boards
guidance, let me say that the ''Pali-
sadian" clearly recognizes it's duty
to the public as a moral agent. 1t
has tried to be fair in all of its dis
cussions of public measures; it has
meant to be true to the highest stand
ards of journalistic faith; it has tried
to hew to the line, let the chips fall
where they may; it has had the high
est ideals; it has had no false illusions
of its functions as public servant,
and it has done it's level best to be
true to the tenets of courageous
journalism. On the question of
proper attitudes, perhaps it is delin-
quent in some measure, but not on
intent. No man is perfect. In the
nature of things, perfection is diff
ficult of attainment. You must admit
this. But as nearly as purpose may
become so, the "Palisadian" has
striven to rise above the common
place, to be human, and above all
things to be fair and honest in its
convictions, at all times having the
courage of them. make no plea for
publishing this advertising, but l do
deny the ritgh of anyone to censor
the columns of right minded news
paper. From the ethical standpoint
it can scarcely be called just. I might,
with equal right undertake to say of
church, II do not like this or
that, you must change it or
shall withdraw my support" |
have ever stood for, and as high
moral sense of the public obligation.
l do not resent your communication,
but merely wish to declare myself in
opposition to your announced pro-
gram of espionage against news
paper that has always stood for the
right in every instance as it under
| stood it.
( The "Palisadian" is not a religious
newspaper, but it is a moral agent
and duly recognizes it's responsible
ties. If the members of your congre-
cation treated all newspapers as you