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Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 524, 5 January 1878, Page 2

The North Ota'jc Times of this morning reproduces the untruthful paragraph relative to the Whitakeb-Jones libel case from the Wellington Argus. Some people would evidently have been all the better pleased had the accused abjectly expressed his contrition, and promised to return to his paper, resolved never to interfere with Ministers again. Mr. Jones, for reasons, we presume, best known to himself, adopted another course, for which he alone will be responsible. With h im it was evidently a question involving a principle, i rather than sacrifice which he chose to be | arraigned before a jury of his countrymen. I Notoriety may be pleasant: but a consistent adherence to not the shiftnuss of a weather-cock, the cringing of a coward, or the selling of one's freedom—is the only means whereby the genuine article can be acquired. Consistency, under certain circumstances, may purchase a reputation whose indelible impression will stand in the book of fame for all time— a. reputation not half so "fleeting" as that of journalists who cherish a disposition of jealousy because they were deprived of the privilege of expressing their worthless commifieration.

The insinuation that Mr. Jojtes will pecuniarly benefit by the trial is evidence of the baseness of the journal that invented the statement, and the unfairness of those who copied it from such a doubtful source. The Argus knew full well that what it published was untrue, being on the spot, it had superior opportunities of ascertaining the exact position of the affair; and had those who reproduced the statements of that paper given the matter a little consideration' they would have remembered .that the House passed a resolution the operation of which could not possibly produce the result they have stated.