DEFENCE OF ARCHDEACON HADFIELD.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2719, 15 August 1868, Page 5

DEFENCE OF ARCHDEACON HADFIELD.

(to the editob of the independent. Bishop's House, August 10, 1868. SIE, — I do not think that the public can complain that the clergy of the Church of England often care to defend themselves from personal attacks that are made from time to time upon them in newspapers, in tho Native Lands Court, and in the House of Representatives. lam rather sorry to say that I have never known any one to stand up in the House of Representatives (though I thankfully acknowledge it has been done in the Legislative Council) and say a word on behalf of a clergyman of our Church, when attacked there. A little more generosity would not be so unbecoming, however unpopular it might be. But when I see another person assailed from behind the shelter of privilege, and that continually, and when that person ia not only a friend whom I honor, but also a clergyman of my Church, whose intellect, whose courage, whose honesty, and whose self-denial, I, in common with many others, have the highest respect for, I feel bound, once for all, to speak out, and leave the issue to the honor, and in the long run, the right feeling of my countrymen. These remarks are called forth by my observing in the Independent of the 6th inst., that the Hon. Mr Richmond is reported to have quoted in the House of Representatives, and to have endorsed thereby, the language lately used by Mr Fox in the Native Lands Court against Archdeacon Hadfield. It is with unfeigned regret that I see such a man as Mr Richmond lend his countenance to such an abuse of privilege, for I had always entertained a high respect for his character. But lam surprised that either his sense of honor did not prevent bio attacking a man in his absence, who, we all know, could, if ho were present and allowed to speak, more than hold his own in clear logical argument against any man in the House, . or else that his intellect did not tell Mr Riohmond that to say that Archdeacon Hadfield's "irritability of [ temper was only equalled by his inability to conceal it," was really owning that "he was too ; honest a man to conceal the indignation he felt [ at the injustice done to a weaker race," for such an act of injustice the Duke of Buckingham points it out to be in his despatch of the 12th , October, 1867, Sessional Papers, A. No. 1 A. p. 6. Once for all, then, I would draw the attention of , all persons who would take advantage of their privileged position to attack a man, who cannot ; defend himself, to the golden words of a writer, whom all now profess to admire, though few seem to imitate, a man who was the very pink of honor, the late Frederick W. Robertson. In the Ist volume of his life, p. 239, 1 read and put on record for the use of " whom it may concern." " You have heard of Coward's Castle. Coward's Castle is that pulpit or platform from which a, man surrounded by his friends, in the absence of his opponents, secure of applause, and sa^e from reply, denounces those who differ from him." — I am, &c, C. J. Wellington.