PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 21 August 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Ansvvees thereto, arc invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district.' Names of writers need not be Printed. , ABOUT MORAL ASSASSINS. I must apoligise for again occupying your space for a few remarks on Mr Mace’s latest zigzag effusion. If I had fathomed the drift of his first epistle, silent contempt would have been the best answer to his attempt to create political syrnpathy for a wrong action, and to hide the cloven foot by wholesale accusations and insinuations which are simply ridiculous to all, except perhaps Mr Mace’s peculiarly constructed imagination. It seems that he has no idea of a rightthinking person doing a right action without some selfish motive ; and yet—- “ He is an honourable man !” I attribute Mr Mace’s great weakness to having, I believe, resided for a few weeks in America. It is generally known that ho had acquired the accent, but his having endowed himself with the political system of whitewashing so current there has only been just revealed to us. The innocent cause of this correspondence informs me that when Mr Mace’s first epistle was presented for his approval, he mildly objected to be whitewashed on the American principle. He thought the Patea public as yet hardly educated to that pitch of greatness ; but that when he became a power in the land he would see that it was grafted on our reformed social and political system. In reply, Mr Mace expressed himself thus, or words to this effect : “ You state that we cannot go on the absolute denial ticket; why not allow me to work the political sympathy business in your favor ? The first wrinkle in it is to accuse the directorate of having political animosity towards you ; and next to introduce the Mayor business into it. In America we do this sort of thing systematically. If a public man commits a murder, or embezzlement, or something of a milder nature, if he is a Democrat, or an exile of Erin, or a church elder, we run him on the most likely ticket, and his innocence is clearly established .in no-time, and ‘ he is an honorable man.’ ”

For my part I cannot understand the Mayor question being imported into this subject, except Mr Mace means it as a joke ; rather a grim one for his ideal of a Mayor. But I have perfect faith in the people of Patea electing only suitable persons to that-honor, especially when there is £IO,OOO to be spent. In conclusion, Mr Mace’s insinuation about my identity with a celebrated draper I will pass over, knowing from experience that gentleman is able to defend himself, and judging from outward appearances, his business also,.be need not bother himself much about opposition. Glan Aber.