The Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MAY 10, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 108, 10 May 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MAY 10, 1869.

On Friday last we said, "We must express our regret, for his own sake and that of the province, that Dr. Irvine had noe given his reason for voting as he did before the division took place, as by so doing he would liave prevented the misunderstanding which has arisen ;" and on Saturday Dr. Irvine wrote, "I greatly regret that I did not propose an amendment to some such effect as I have given above, for its adoption would have obviated a great deal of misconception." From this it appears that we are at last agreed upon this point— that Dr. Irvine committed an error of judgment on that unfortunate Tuesday night, and that it would have beeu far better had he adopted a different course of action to that which he actually pursued. And here we shall allow this matter to drop, but there are one or two remarks towards the close of Dr. Irvine's letter, which partake more of a personal nature, to which we feet compelled to reply. He says that he has experienced "the disappointment of knowing that a gentleman occupying the position of editor of a newspaper is liable in that capacity to show less heed for other men's feelings and more readiness to impute blame than belongs to him as an ordinary individual." If, by anything we have said, we seem to have shown little heed for Dr. Irvine's feelings, we assure him that we most heartily regret it, and that nothing could bave been further from our thoughts than such an intention. With regard to the charge of showing more readiness to impute blame than would belong to us as an ordinary individual, we think that Dr. Irvine is hardly fair. There is this difference between the private individual and the editor of a paper, — that the former makes his remarks in private, and thus they seldom reaoh the ears of the person blamed; whilst the latter is compelled, by the position he holds, to publish his thoughts on the passing events of the day In our private capacity, we should have felt just as strongly that Dr. Irvine had committed a grievous error, although we shouli not have given expression to that opinion "in so public a manner, but it must be remembered that what might in a private individual be considered an act of uncalled for interference, is, in the editor of a newspaper simply a fulfilment of his duty, that duty frequently being, as in the present instance, a very unpleasant one, but not on that account to be shirked. Dr. Irvine accuses us of having made an " unprovoked attack " upon him, but, with him, we are perfectly content to refer this matt r to the public, and to leave it to them to form their own opinion between us on this head. He then goes on to say," I must protest against an exaggerated importance being attached to my sayings and doings, and to being called upon to justify every vote which may appear questionable to somebody else." The theory propounded in the latter portion of this sentence is so novel ar.d startling that we fear Dr. Irvine must have allowed his pea to run away with him at this stage of his letter, for we can hardly suppose that a gentleman of his experience means seriously to affirm that a representative of the people can expect to be quietly permitted to give a ques'ionable vote without being called upon to justify it. As for protesting against an exaggerated importance being attached to his sayings and doings; why Dr. Irvine must first of all consent to hide his light under a bushel, for so long as he takes the prominent part in the political world for which he is, by his superior attainments, so well adapted, — so long must he expect his acts to be more closely watched and more keenly criticised than those of an ordinary individual who is altogether unknown to fame. Dr. Irvine has worked hard and successfully to obtain a name amongst us, but he must remember that greatness. has its penalties as well as its advantages, and that if at times a well-earned tribute of approbation is accorded to him, there are others when an unfortunate error will, no matter how he may wince under it, call down upon, him the hostile criticisms of the press and the public. We are sorry to, .have been compelled on the presentoccasion to administer the latter; at the

same time we must confess that we have expe" rienced a considerable amount of pleasure in doing battle with a combatant who fights with such polished weapons; we must now, however, on our own side at least, close tliis controversy; we had the first say in the matter, and shall be perfectly willing to allow Dr. Irvine, should lie wish it, to fire the parting shot.