THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 491, 9 March 1869, Page 2

THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE.

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argus.) Sir — As I believe the grand motto of all civilised communities is that of " Fairplay," whether it be in matters politic or domestic, I am very reluctantly compelled to take up the cudgel of self-defence in reference to the chequered history of this again singularly unfortunate building. It is, unfortunately, one of the phases of everyrday life to make certain men and certain objects the subject of slander and cruelty. It is not with a view to deteriorate from the influential gentlemen constituting the Borough Council of this town that I write, hut in defence of a cause and principle which, amid the unseemly per-^ sonalities and uncourteous proceedings of that deliberative body, seems not only to, be entirely ignored but almost entirelylost sight of. The original intention for. which that building was erected must, of necessity, be the vantage ground of all opposition. It will, doubtless, be argued that' the. Institute was handed over by virtne of a resolution, passed at a public meeting of seven subscribers some months since, for. the purpose of a town hall. This I deny, because when a building erected by public subscription has a list of at least sixteen or twenty times that number of donors, the singularly small number of seven cannot be taken as the sense of the majority. As the minority so ably and manfully, suggested to remain where they are, and so conciliate by manly example the good old adage "Englishmen boast in the traditions of their country and constitution, and will ever uphold the principle o% 'fair play.' "—l am, &c, Henry Warren. March 8, 1869.