THE ARCADE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5736, 18 August 1879, Page 3

THE ARCADE MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. .Sir, — I am one of those who, with Robert Burns, think that “an honest man is the noblest work of God.” It was therefore with sincere regret that I heard Mr. Crook, at the Arcade meting on Saturday night, make a coarse joke out of a man’s humble position of a coachman. I expected better things from Mr. Crook, as the advocate of the “working man,” than to try and wound the feelings of a citizen because he had occupied the humble position of a coachman. I consider a coachman as good as a vulgar boathuilder any day, and would recommend Mr. Crook to study the following lines from the poet ; “ That rank from no condition rise; Act well your part—there all the honor lies." The person thus vulgarly assailed is an old resident in this province, is a just and upright man in all his dealings, and highly respected by all who know him. He had a perfect right to express his assent or dissent to what was being advanced by the speaker, and nothing can justify the ruffianly conduct towards him. I am afraid that many who are pretending to advocate the cause of the “ working class ” are but shams of the worst description, who are just making a stalking-horse of the term “ working man ” to flatter their vanity and give them an opportunity of hearing themselves talk.—Yours, &c., Working Man.