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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 25, 24 January 1844, Page 2

Public men are to a certain extent Public Property, and as such their actions are liable to be-scrutinized and commented upon, and are legitimate subjects of discussion through the Press ; but that Mighty Engine of good or harm, is applied to a bad purpose when made subservent to gratify private feeling, and its powers are prostituted when allowed to trespass upon the sacred precincts of the domestic hearth. Shakspeare says, “ if all men had their deserts who should I scape a whipping.' 1 ' It is our duty towards our fellow men to screen, rather than blazon forth errors which may be perhaps caused by peculiar circumstances, or which may be more of the head than of the heart. We make these remarks in consequence of comments that have been made on the resignation by Mr. Freeman of the office of Colonial Secretary. We doubt whether the retirement of a Gentleman, who must fretm the appointment he has hithertojfifilled, be conversant with many matters of. ipiport to the Government, be a circumstance to rejoice at, except by those who have a pique against him. It happens fortunately in the present instance that the Governor has been enabled to appoint a Gentleman of probity and talent to the vacant ancant office, but that does not do away with the merit due

to Mr. Freeman by his retirement. He saw clearly that certain parties to whom he was obnoxious, (and where is the public man who has not, by the strict fulfilment of the duties of his Office been compelled to make himself so ?) were bent upon annoyance ; not by attacking him in his public capacity, for there he could defy them ; it was the sanctuary of his own threshold which was to be violated, and to prevent his own mind and that of his relatives and friends from being subjected to natural and painful irritation, he with the high feeling of a Gentleman, gave up the appointment.—Despite of his having thus yielded to those who wish him ill, they are not yet apparently satisfied. We would advise Mr. Freeman to treat all further attacks on him as he would the buzzing of an insect, remembering that “ Malice scorned, puts out “Itself; but, argued, gives a kind of credit “ To a ialse accusation.” ■ <£ Massinger.”