Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 114, 23 November 1858, Page 2

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Colonist. * Sm, —I perceive liy a recent issue of the Eai- } amincr, which I got a si/^bt of the other day by meie chance, that there is si rumour afloat of - Mr. Stafford having been appointed[Governor of More ton Bay. The wording of the paragraph containi/tg the announcement struck me as being very peculiar, us though the editor > would have said something more, and I was at a loss. to, account for this strangeness, until I recollected that some time ago he venturecHo j pass .some remarks upf»n"Mr. Stafford, which earned for liim from the" senior proprietor* a smart rap on the knuckles, although I believe. the majority of the readers of that paper very fully concurred in the,opinionthereiuexpressed,, or intended to.be expressed as the lawyers have it. Most men, that is most men-of ordinary susceptibility, would have retired after this; but all men are not alike, notwithstanding on some points they may be very thin-skinned. .Filthy lucre :does a wonderful deal in healing wounded feelings, and rendering some people.: less susceptible. But it shews what a pitiable thing.it is to be compelledi to write for gain that which " finds no,echo from the heart." It would appear, the editor of the Nelson Crammer is allowed his fullest, fling against the Superintendent, true or false, but in. other matters he must submit to bo dictated to by the proprietor." But while there is, a doubt as. to ; his retaining the appointment of Inspector of Schools,unless he will do the work for his raottey, it may be good policy in him to make sure .of oue billet, for most as« suredly he will get 'vhis conge" as editor fit the ■ Crammer, unless he crams according to a pre-scribed-form. 0 ! unerring editor. 0! immaculate Inspector of Schools, how fearfully hast tliou fallen, that thou shouldst become the scribe to the very paper and the very man whom thou didst formerly, treat with such direful contempt. Surely no man knbweth to what end he may come; but save 'me, 0 save me from such humiliating alternatives. Yours obediently, PLASTER DIACCULUM. Nelson, November 20th. ,

To the Editor of the Colonist. Sir,—For some time past I have been consi-. derably amused at the lucubrations that have so frequently appeared in the columns of your contemporary the Examiner, and while they continued in the absurdly strained style of abusing our present Superintendent, it .only reminded me of the old story of the snake biting a file—employing its teeth to its , own disadvantage. . Even now such foolish attempts would fail to extort a remark from me, but that latterly it has been said their complaints have been, made upon public grounds and upon public matters. This system of amusement, at the expense of a really useful man, i 3 so unworthy the journal that disseminates and the hand that pens, that it would be only common justice to repleve on "public grounds" also. Does one of these worthy revellers in undeserved reproaches'ever pause, in his wholesale condemnation of the Superintendent, to reflect if he also cannot be attacked on "public grounds?" Has lie no mote in his own eye, while he seek 9 one in his neighbour's ? Has he no office that gives him an emolument not far inferior to that of the Superintendent ? and does he earn it, as well? Has he disseminated his beneficent presence wherever the juvenile supervision required it ? Has his unquestionable fulfilment of duties been proved through all districts, as he is, of course, in conscience bound to shew before complaining of other public officers ? I fear not. How very easy it is to forget our own shortcomings, and look at the conduct ami imagined faults of others with double convex lenses to our eyes. But it is not upon the mild basis of charity alone that I would treat this question ; it is by the unalterable standard of Right that these ridiculous aspersions should be tested; as contemptible and fur removed from fact as they are wanting in the true public spirit that is feigned to dictate them; shewing a meanness that " o'erleaps itself," not meriting resentful indignation. But I would remark that, however bad the cause, there -will generally be fouud some servile imitator'anxious' to shew his zeal—(the " Collingwood Correspondent," for insiaare) —and by excess of crude energy assist in piling up a defamatory structure that must ultimately fall about their own ears. The juvenile writer above referred to,has given birth to a tissue of rank absurdities, slang phrases,, and indiscriminate abuse; and I am much surprised that the self-constituted respectable Examiner should act the go-between for abusive and Vulgar/ con? tributions. Two or three of his assertions are sufficient to prove the .quality of' the whole. His " nine-hundred-amontb populatiou," and "Stafford's finding funds for bridges, roads, &c, out of his own resources," are such excellent jokes that he should in future assume the name of Joe Miller instead of the Miles' boy he is at present. As to the land deputation so ingeniously suggested, I think the :lancf jobbing has been carried on quite sufficiently without seeking victims on board ship, and cramming land down their throats before breakfast without taking into consideration the questionable thauks likely to greet such inquisitorial aid. Perhaps the writer has an itching for such situation, or any other that will purchase his subserviency. At least it is a new feature in gold statistic correspondents when they " With practised memories, cruelly exact, Omit do circumstance, except the fact!" For myself, I have lived through the Stafford administration to the Robinson era; and although holding no particular bias, can easily determine, in whose time the greatest improvements have been made, when money was squandered away, and when places were made for particular friends. But I need not parade my opinions before a public that have the same means of judging. Wholesale abuse and unjust attacks, however, deserve the disapprobation of eVery honest maii; and until the term' of the present.Superintendency be fulfilled, let the few vociferous malcontents be stilled by the greater 'body of his adherents being an argument against.them, nor attempt to" stir up confusion that is but too evidently productive of mischief to our near neighbours, avoiding such ,uhde» sirable notoriety; and at the expiration of the term that these gentlf men seem so ardently to wish for, let us -return another man, if such can be found; to excel in zeal our present head. Butthe | public will look warily at the applicants,: remem-bering-that they who-Jeed on "hatred, malice, and all tmcharitablcne^s," are. not iikely v tb b« very.pure themselves after such objectionable aliment, and not to be trusted in anyuiatter that requires strictly just "principle's land moral rectitude. "'' ,' '/..,;%' c . i v , " Youtb, &c.,. ■ t '.'J .'.'> '."7f AMICATERITAS;^