The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 255, 9 May 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1866.

It h a^ been °ur intention to nave reviewed at length the proceedings of the last sess idn of the Provincial Council, in order to place before the publie-the worthlessness of the strictures which have recently been heaped upon the G-overnment and the Council- The task has been rendered unnecessary by the letter of "Observer," which appears in another column. When a disposition to find fault — to look with suspicion upon every man— takes hold of the public mind, the higher attributes of journalism should be brought forth. It then becomes the duty of the editor to be cautious, impartial, and just; to religiously avoid making assertions without evidence to prove their truth — to calmly review the conduct of public men, and insist upon reform where reform was found necessary. During the late manifestation of party feeling we have endeavored to adopt this line of conduct. That mistakes have been made in the railway contracts and management there can be but little doubt* • The question was fairly and fully discussed — the mistakes that had been made were exposed, and sufficient evidence adduced to enable the public "to place the i i blame upon those who really merited it. That the present G-oy eminent had nothing to do witn them was fully proved — that it courted investigation was equally apparant, ,. The present administrators of public affairs having proved their earnest

desire to retrieve past blunders, and a change in the Eaiiway Department having been effected, it was reasonable to suppose that the bitter feeling which, had been aroused would have passed away, and that all parties would have united to help the Province out of the difficulties into which by mistaken judgment — we. do not believe that any of the Governments of Southland have been venal or corrupt— the province has been plunged. " Observer," we think, has taken a fair view of the question, although he has been very severe upon our contemporary. We., insert it intact j believing that the " Open Column" of a judiciously conducted journal is a mirror that reflects public opinion. It not , merely reveals ideas, but it displays character. Those who are in the constant habit of studying the images it presents soon learn to distinguish the good from the bad. To the honest, outspoken contributor ; the single-minded reformer ; the " Open poliimn" is not only a useful privilege, but a safe asylum. The public have nothing to fear from it : editorial partiality can never be allowed. The mirror is not likely to give a distorted representation of public opinion : but there is a class of contributors ■' who, if they were wise, should shun the "Open Column " as the coiner shuns the asaayer of the mint. There are certain men who affect the character of reformers, and are ever ready to avail themselves of the latitude allowed in the " Open Columns" of the Press. It is their peculiar vanity to appear before the public aB the denouncers of what is wrong and the champions of what is right. With a child-like simplicity they conclude that the animus which so frequently tinges their contributions is not discovered by the public, but that they are written down patriotic and disinterested men. They forget that the mirror frequently reveals more than what appears on the surface of their contributions^ In' publishing " Observer's " letter' we do so believing it to be a truthful reflex of the public mind; and vwe have thus commented upon the liberty of the " open column " because it is not.unfrequently abused. We have seen letters in other journals, andreceived them ourselves, which dp no credit to the writers and are insults offered to the public — censures uponpublicmen, approaching charges of peculation and corruption — censures upon men who have worked honestly and zealously, if not successfully, for the public weal. Southland has not been cui-sed with "place-hunting politicians " rule ; and it is to be hoped that the time is far distant when the wholesale declamation of unscruplous journalists will bring to the surface " men after their own heart." Should: that time arrive the difficulties of Southland will be intensified, and her decadence sealed. The present Government has earned the thanks of the community, and when re-constructed, we doubt not will obtain the confidence and support of every class of the c«mmunity.