SIR JOSEPH’S RETURN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 87, 16 August 1913, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH’S RETURN.

[To The Editor Stbatfojjtv Rostv]

Sir}—Sir Jpseph Ward is back. Xo argument' needed to kkspisjr 4he facf.ft l|is'|rOtviing poptilartiy.' flome is. .discharging fful *duty, dmFmeii and women are rising above the vile suspicion that served so effectually to damage his political honour h short time ago. Xafure}* in' 'fshioning [ human character, seldom neglects to! implant in it the honour needful for! the exercise; ol"&nuhon ’ahd j .it is due to jthis fact that Sir Joseph is again wiffning his m®, .into, the hearts of thei people of thisl)omiuion. The present political ascehdency, found its jvay to offich through the influence of misrepresentation,' but it is. a consolation to know that the returned j statesman can stahd on any platform, | undefiled by one ’(‘■orhipt act during! his long public career. Sufficient time has elapsed to enable the electors to pronounce on Sir Joseph, and the verdict conics from all unbiassed. men—“not guilty.” You may impeach a public man, but if that man is innocent, your impeachment will act as an immeasurable force to heighten his popularity and strengthen his hold on the popular heart. ■ Those who are familiar with the agents that act and interact in the building of a person’s popularity, know only too well what the outgrowth of his transient movement against Sir Joseph will be. During the last twenty months the patience, openn’pss and forbearance exercised by him serve as an outward expression of an inward character capable of rising above a vindictive attitude, and must show, by contrast, how superior he has risen above his meaner opponents. The jropular mind will tolerate no injustice, and just in proportion as the fair-minded public realise the position, will they return their support to a loader who has done nothing contrary to the highest standard or rectitude and honor. I confess there is, in cvpry,community, a section of persons, who when they realise they have grossly wronged a man, have not those higher qualities of character which prompt them to immediately make amends by humble admission and a gentlemanly apology. For twenty years Sir Joseph has given this country the assistance of bis great natural gifts and ability, and in return lie lias received from a section of the electors a reward of ingratitude similar to that usually bestowed on those who work hardest for the public welfare. His adversity is transient, and will soon give place to universal popularity, and if lie so desires he will again rise to the highest office! within the power of the people to bestow- As one looks back over flic field of Imperial politics one finds consolation in the fact that at every stage in the building of Empire, great and good statesmen have been subjected to the same ingratitude. Sir Joseph is a wise man ; be has uttered not a word against bis public tradneens; he is allowing the council of human conscience to settle all differences and we find that truth and virtue, like twin priests moving hand in hand, are slowly. ascending to that throne to , which they rightfully belong in every well-organised Christian community.—l am, etc.., THOMAS BOYLE. I Stratford, August loth, 1013.