The New Zealand Tablet Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1879. THE NELSON COLONIST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 306, 28 February 1879, Page 13

The New Zealand Tablet Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1879. THE NELSON COLONIST.

JJjjpjf^ N the Nelson Colonist of the 18th inst. there is a JpllS^ leader headed " Sacerdotal Insolence," in which "Igjslp&V the writer says that <l the people of Nelson should «§J3S, carefully ponder on an extract in our columns from JfiffKaS an article 'by Bishop Morakiii the New Zealand '2rci<V' Tablet on the i*ecent city election." We hope this ffrv advice has been followed for it would seem that it is not always these good people hear the truth from the Press. But by what authority does the editor of the Colonist state that this article is from the pen of Bishop Mohan ? This is, on his part, a mere assumption, and in assuming to himself a right to publish such a statement he seems to forget that in doing so he is violt ting the proprieties and etiquette of his profession, and proving himself guilty of editorial, if not of sacerdotal insolence. This, however, is a matter that is more deserving of contempt than of serious notice, so we dismiss it at once. But a little further on the Nelson Colonist tells his readers " That the supposed attempt at dictation by a particular sect roused the spirit of free-born Englishmen to a practical and effectual declaration of their independence." Pshaw ! this is bathos with a vengeance. The spirit of free-born Englishmen ! If the majority of the electors of Nelson were free-born it is clear they have not maintained their freedom ; they are now slaves of prejudice, given over to the dominion of injustice. Heal freemen would not insist on putting their hands into other people's pockets to help them to educate their children, nor persevere in a wicked attempt to compel people to violate their consciences. But this is what the majority of the electors of Nelson have done and are determined to persevere in doing. Out upon such freemen. The word free applied to such men outrages all propriety of speech. Next we find the following words, " that the effect of Bishop Mohan's intemperate remarks will cause the example to be widely followed is just as certain." What intemperate remarks ? This writer first assumes what he cannot know, and then takes upon himself to characterise certain words in a most arbitrary manner, What he calls intemperate we look upon as far too mild for the demands of the case. The writer of the Colonist's leader continues :—": — " Though no wrong will be countenanced, even against a wrong-doer, it is too much to expect that a whole community should tamely submit to be vilified because, forsooth, a majority of its members will not submit to be driven to the poll by Bishop Mohan." What does the man mean ? Where and how has the Tablet vilified a whole community ? We stated facts. We said the majority of the electors of Nelson is bent on tyranny and injustice. This is a fact established by that majority itsalf. To state this is not to vilify a whole community. To state

what everybody knows is not to vilify a whole community, because it is only stating a public and notorious fact. We also said Nelson ought to be ashamed of it. This is a very legitimate conclusion, indeed an obvious conclusion, obvious to every man. To say so much is not to vilify a whole community. To state what everybody knows and sees is not to vilify, it is only recording historically the events of the day. But the last words of this sentence — viz., " because, forsooth a majority of its members will not submit to be driven to the poll by Bishop Moran," are the most extraordinary of all. Bishop Moran took no part whatever in the Nelson election. He did not interfere in any way between the candidates and the electors. He wrote nothing as to the selection of candidates. He did not make a speech on the subject. He asked no man for his vote. And whilst the secularists and bigots of Nelson were stamping their feet, clapping their hands, shouting demoniacally ," down with the Catholics," " down with denominational education," " Catholics ought to be banished from the country," Bishop Moran was silent, quiescent ; and apparently, at least, unconcerned. It is I absolutely untrue to say that Bishop Moran made any attempt to drive the electors of Nelson to the poll ; or in any way to influence them as to the choice of a member. We are also told by the Colonist that — " A Press Association telegram from Dunedin says : The city of Nelson has been excomm unicated. Bishop Moran, through the leading columns of the Tablet, denounces the electors as follows." And the Nelson Colonist believed, and actually published this nonsense. Where and when did Bishop Moran excommunicate Nelson, where and when did he denounce the electors ? This is the Avay news is fabricated and sent abroad. But it is no secret, that such telegrams as this, are invented to serve a purpose here in Dunedin. It is hoped that public opinion created and stimulated elsewhere by such sensational falsehoods, and groundless attacks on Bishop Moran may react on public opinion here. We shall see whether the conspiracy will prove successful. The odious hypocrisy of the Colonist's leader is beautifully illustrated by the following — " Though no wrong will be countenanced even against a wrong-doer." This outherods Herod. Here is a journal pretending to a very high appreciation and love of justice at the very time it is perpetrating most grievous injustices. It seems to us to raise its hands in pious vehemence, declaring that thei-e never was anyone more just, if indeed any so just as itself, whilst it is in the act of calumniating Bishop Moran, and doing its best to perpetuate a grievous and crying wrong done to sixty thousand loyal and peaceful fellow citizens. The open, avowed, bold highwayman is infinitely preferable to the sneaking tyrant and plunderer who declares without a blush that he loves justice and hates injustice, whilst he is actually rifling the pockets of his victims, and violating their consciences. It is to be wished that the Nelson Colonist would bravely abandon all subterfuge, throw away the sheep's clothing, eschew all tricks of language, and openly declare itself to be that which it really is — the advocate of tyranny and the legal plunder of Catholics. As to its prophesying and threats, they are equally worthless, only a child could fear them.