THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1858.

Colonist, Issue 95, 17 September 1858, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1858.

We have been accused of pandering to a taste which is the lowest and most degrading—viz.? that of publishing an obscene report. From not only one, but many, have the remarks been made. We think that it is our duty to explain our reasons and justify our conduct. A gentleman, respected in this province, places Ills slaughters under the charge of a lady who allows them to visit a Mr. Baker, who is, we hear, a great scholav —educated by nature and by. art to attract the commendation of his follows. The testimony of seventeen gentlemen, Magistrates of the Province of Wellington, shews that he has committed a gross and unwarrantable insult upon a young-'lruty. In the old days of chivalry there was a respect for women—there was honor for virtue; and in spite of their being, as they are misnamed, the dark ages, there was a regard for modesty, which the defendant evidently had not. There are times and seasons when the crimes of those who assume virtue, and trade upon that assumption, should be made public; and much as we may be abused for calling public attention to it, we consider that those who profess to teach God's word, should be the last to commit an offence which lowers them to the level of the brute, if the Press is' to be silent, and let such acts pass unnoticed, it were.time that the French principle was enforced, and the newspapers were under the organisation of some rural or civil

police,

There is a mock-modesty which is far too prevalent—crimes occur, and those who fully know what has been committed, think that they are outraging delicacy in speaking of it. We know, and we feel all of us, that certain offences will be committed ; why should we shut our eyes to the tale of it? Away with such deception. , Let us give crime its own name; let him who commits it be the marked and banned man, aye, even though his lips distil honey. We ask, and do so fearlessly, if any one of our readers would not consider; that man below even chastisement who would act as the defendant in the case referred to did ? and we, the Press, the voice of the people, the expression of public opinion, are to sit down and allow such things to pass unnoticed. Shame on such feelings. ,Let those who commit such offences be broadly and publicly pibbeted before the gaze of all. We are told that this Mr. Baker has been recognised as a clever man and a leader of a party. We grieve to know it. Where iritellect has been" given, something should be returned better than y in this case; and we feel that .which must be the sentiment of every man, when one who could have been a great and shining light blurs his reputation, and inflicts incalculable mischief.