A "DIGGER" V. A "MINER."

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 125, 21 July 1871, Page 3

A "DIGGER" V. A "MINER."

(To the Editor of the Mount Ida Chronicle.)

Sib, —Your issue of the 14th hist, contained a letter signed " Digger," reflecting on our Warden and two Scotchmen. The writer admits, what no one can doubt, he is no gentleman ; and yet he signs himself " Digger." Well, Sir, I am a digger, and yet 1 pretend to be a gentleman ; and further, I neyer knew a digger worthy of the name, who was not. "Digger," asks you for pity A real digger would ask you for kindness, never for pity; his own stout heart and strong arm would hold him above it. Tour correspondent has good ears, and no doubt claims kindred with that animal lately imported to the Dunstan. He hears what ? An admission ? Did he ever hear TJuinor was a liar ? He is an observer, too, and no doubt saw the shadow of our Warden get beautifully less after he had read the severe castigation bestowed on him by " Digger's " letter. How comes it though, that blessed with such large ears, and so cute an observer,

he never heard or observed the rich patch of ground until it was swallowed up by the Scotchmen ? or was it the touch of the Scotchmen, like the philosopher's stone, that turned the clay to gold ? He is told by men who never tell lies, that the ground would pay 30 bob a*day, and all at once he turns round and doubts the veracity of his friends by asking if that was true. I am glad lam not one of his friends. I could not trust the man ; he lies ; and he who lies will steal. If I were a mate of his I should look sharp after the gold. Having polished off the Scotchmen as he thinks, he has a fling at the Warden. I expected as much. On the no-gentleman theory it is easily understood. He no doubt owed the Warden a grudge ; very likely was before him occasonally in his official capacity as 11. M., and doubtless received his deserts, and 1 should say, judging from the style of the man, that he is likely to go before him very often. The Chinese are not the only pilferers on Mount Ida. The man who would falsely, wilfully, and maliciously, and in the dark, try to damage the character of any man, would not hesitate to rob a tail race or pick a pocket, provided he could muster courage. I trust we may soon get rid of such a pitiful cowardly sneak as your correspondent. It is him, and such as him, that has brought contempt on the name of digger. AVhen he next attempts to write I would advise him to sign some other name to his effusions; Prince, Duke, either of thee would do ; they may get on without the sterling qualities which are required to make the real digger—honesty, courage, perseverance, manliness, and straighforwardness in his dealings ; not so the reptile who crawls along the mud and filth ready to sting the unwary. This is the difference bej tweeu the real digger and the "Digger " whose offusion appeared in yours of the 14th inst. In future, when writing, he should style himself " Crawler." I am, &c, A Miner.