SLANDER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 318, 23 October 1875, Page 3

SLANDER.

“ This is a bridle, For the women of Walton, Who speak so idle.” Alas ! Walton is not the only place where such an instrument might be most advantageously used. A certain small town in New Zealand is now harboring some of the basest ciluminators of both sexes. In the absence of a regular Court to sit in judgment upon their neighbor’s deeds, a happy few have elected themselves an Unlimited Liability Company, with power to add, Ac., who from mere report severely censure and condemn imaginary misdeeds ; who, with a high and mighty hand, pass sentence and exclude the unhappy wight from the pale of society, and exile him for life. This is given without a fair trial on the report of a slanderer. Society, we know, generally judge from common report, and sometimes judge wrongly; but as a rule err on the safe side. What is required, and perhaps always will be, is some wholesome check on the calumny and slander which mislead it. To universally black ball the sneak who whispers “ in strictest confidence,” and sets the ball rolling; toput down the old maids and dowagers who shake their curls, and look as if they knew more than they like to tell; to hold gossip and scandal a sin ; and to hang the calumniator, man or woman, as high as Haman, if the origin can be brought home ; could these be accompli shed many brighter faces and happier homes would be around us, and the world would be better and infinitely more Christian.—Communicated.