TOADYISM.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1057, 2 June 1892, Page 35

TOADYISM.

, Sir, —T notice that your eveniug contemporaries claim to be authorities on the subject of toadyism, and they publish paragraphs and letters on what they term the display of this quality to the new Governor, Lord Glasgo w. I say nothing about whether it is desirable to elect the Governor or to have him appointed. I am not sure but

that the Chief Justice could perform the duties; bat while we have a Govet nor it appears to me to be a misuse of terms to apply the term “toadyism” to vvliot is nothing more than respect for the position and respect for the person who fills it. Whoever, or whatever, is Governor demands the respects of the people. He may do certain acts which ought to be criticised by a just, impartial and fearless press, but it is never to be forgotten that the Governor, or the Queen in the Mother Country, or the President in the United States, or the head of any State, embodies the sovereign will and power of the people. In paying him therefore respect, vie are really doing a self-regarding or self respecting act. This applies to any other person in the State, and if we change the mode of electing the figure-head of our constitution tomorrow, still that self-regarding act would become a duty. It is therefore merely an exhibition of ignorance of ail constitutional right and duty that leads certain journals to confound respect with toadyism. Rut, sir, I might go a little further, and say that it is quite possible to have toadyi-in associated with vice-regal worship. Have you not heard of the editor whose pen was directed to write in praise or disparagement, according to the number of dinners he received at Government House? Indeed, sir, I think it would be found that the gon tlemen who talk so loudly of toadyism are themselves quite ready to comply with ah the conditions which makes the toady. 1 am, &c., J uniu.s.