The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, June 10, 1863.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 12, 10 June 1863, Page 4

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, June 10, 1863.

The position occupied by the editor of a newspaper is a very peculiar and unenviable one. His duty towards the public is well understood, and strictly defined, but his duty towards private individuals is not so well understood or defined. It is ever his duty to point out what exists in the shape of abuse, and write it down. Where any man, or limited body of men, occupy a position that, in any shape, permits of aggrandisement to himself or themselves, to the prejudice of the generality, it is the duty of an editor to call public attention to the matter, and end it. At a superficial glance this argument may seem illogical, because a combination of individual interests make up the aggregate. It is not so, however, and the more keen observer will perceive that combinations ®f individual interests are always for the private benefit, and not for the public good. It is the editor's duty, also, when he sees a man enjoying that which he can only enjoy to the detriment of the general welfare to do all he can to remedy the abuse, and that by using every remedial measure which he deems strong enough, no matter how much pain he may give to the man, or however estimable the man's private character may be. It is lr.s duty, when acting for the public good, to disregard all private feelings, and speak out openly and fearlessly, even although his doing so may wound unto the death. It is further his duty to sacrifice even his own interest, if by so doing he conduces to the common weal. And this, we say, notwithstanding our suspicions iurcguid to vicarious sacrifices, and our honor of over-willinir mart) rs; in short, it is his duty to do even more than we have said above, and those who would chide him for so doing, sh&w that they are either unthinking or unjust, and unworthy to have bestowed 021 them the character of Christian gentlemen. We make these few observations owing to the number of communications we have received in reference to the remarks we lately made touching the monopolv of the supply of meat enjoyed by Mr. Rels. We

do not need to receive these communications

in vindication of Mr. Rees' character —we proclaim, without hesitation, that we believe him to be all that they represent. And if it be any gratification to Mr. Reks, we have no difficulty in saying that we look upon him as one of the most estimable characters in private life that we have ever encountered ; wc believe that his word is as good as his bond, and know him to be capable of extending the right hand of charity to those in want, in a way that never permits of his left knowing it. We know that many good emperors have Gesslers administering their decrees, and calling upon those who are for the time in their power to bow down before them, or their symbol— Man, Dressed in a little brief authority, Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, As make the angels weep. Our readers are also familiar with the parable of the unmerciful servant, and we commend the perusal of St. Matthew, c. xviii v. 33, to some of those concerned in this matter.

The attempted justification of Mr. Clements, in the letter inserted in a previous number, is only an absurdity, as every man of business is entitled to buy in the market that suits him. At all events, it does not affrct the truth of our remarks as to the ne eessity of doing away with the monopoly. And presuming that there was really ingratitude, which the letter does not show, even by evidence of a prima facie nature: no ingratitude on the pait of one man can justify cruelty on the part of another. We have not written the above because we deem any vindication necessary. On the contrary, we are satisfied that we carry with us the sympathy and approbation of the community. We have also been informed, and know it to be true, that we have 44 done the state some service." A licensed slaughterman has appeared upon the Wakatip field, and driving hiscattlo before him, has declared his determination to reduce the price of beef by the sale of his first slaughter. Nay, more, the price of beef has been already reduced, and we will continue our efforts against every monopoly, until we see this place become a poor man's country, and fulfil the purposes for which it was originally thrown open to colonization.