Were it not for the fact that since our last issue considerable comment has arisen over the fact that we deemed it adviseable to criticise the conduct of some of the soldiers stationed here, we would consider this incident closed and and say no more about it. However, as is usually the case, a story loses nothing in the telling, and as it is passed along, is often distorted to the extent that the original version can scarcely be recognized.
We have been bitterly condemned by the officers in charge here who apparently concluded that our comment on the lamentable affair which resulted in the wounding of Martin Lattimer last week, included all of their men. Acting on this conclusion Capt. Ross and two of his lieutenants called at our office and denounced our action in language which left no room for speculation as to their feelings in the matter. There was a time when we learned to study the other fellow's hand and from this study we also learned that it is wise to pass when you think you're beat. These men were in an angry mood. They held a set of threes -- there were three of them present. We decided to pass and continue the discussion at a time when it could be considered with more mature deliberation.
This time occured Wednesday morning when a lieutenant and two non-commissioned officers called on us and handed us a letter, addressed to the subscribers of the Lead Belt News, with the request that it be published. After reading the letter we considered portions of it objectionable and refused to publish it. The lieutenant stated that in view of our refusal he would be forced to take charge of our office so that the publication of the letter would be guaranteed. We told him we were powerless to stop him from taking such action and for him to go ahead. In due time Capt. Ross and a detachment of soldiers arrived. The men were placed on guard and given instructions to proceed with getting out the paper.
We pointed out the objectionable features of the letter to the captain and he had the manhood to admit that our objections were well taken. After considerable discussion we believe we succeeded in convincing Capt. Ross that a few of his men have been guilty of conduct that has not come to his knowledge and for that reason has not been suppressed. Looking at the matter from this angle Capt. Ross decided to withdraw his men from our office and trust to us to give him a fair deal in any reference in this matter we desired to make.
Capt. Ross stated that he did not think we treated him fairly in publishing the story of the Lattimer shooting without first calling on him for a statement. We admit that there is some room for complaint here. Our reason for not going to that trouble in this instance is that we got the story direct from young Lattimer. We have known him since he was a small boy and know that he bears an excellent reputation. We believed he told us a truthful story and we printed it according to his statement.
Capt. Ross does not impress us as a man who would knowingly condone conduct unbecoming a gentleman and we have no disposition to make his duties here difficult by making any wanton attacks on he or his men. We consider it the duty of a newspaper to denounce and expose anything that has a demorlizing affect on the community. When this privilege is denied us we will quit the newspaper game.
In conformity with this policy we deemed it our duty to call attention to the conduct of some of the soldiers. Get that word SOME and don't jump at the conclusion that we refer to all of the soldiers now stationed here. We have met many of these boys who will measure up to any standard required of them by society and it has been a pleasure for us to welcome them at our office. It is not in our heart to resent, even in the smallest degree, their presence in this community. They are here, not from choice, but because they were ordered here by the Federal government. When they received this order it was their duty to obey without question.
We wish to admonish these boys that their work here, in comparison to the serious duty they may yet be called upon to perform in the great cause of democracy, is mere child's play, and they can only prepare themselves for this serious task by living clean. They owe this to the uniform they wear and the great cause they represent. The honor of their regiment is in their hands. They cannot afford to wink at conduct of any of their number that will bring their regiment into disrepute. They should do their utmost to co-operate with their officers to the end that their good name will be rigidly maintained.