The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1879.
Fok once we are able to agree with our contemporary the ‘ Timaru Herald. 5 In its leading article on Thursday last its strictures upo r Sir George Grey’s conduct towards our retiring Governor are unusually just. We ever believed Sir Georgs incapable of such un-English and unmanly a procedure towards any gentleman, however much he might have offended him. That Lord Norman by showed too much party when Sir George obtained the office of Premier of this country few will deny. He has apparently accepted the Atkinson parly as his friends—perhaps his social companions ; and he no doubt felt wounded at the mortification of that party as such. For this and other of Lord Normanby’s evident proofs of partiality he would have much difficulty in finding- an adequate excuse. It is at all times pitiable to see men in high life and of thorough breeding stoop to such mean 'behiV' iour, which only shows that human-nature is
only human, nature, even after’the most careful culture ; yet, .for all this, wc can-
not but regret that the present Premier should have followed in his steps. Much rather would we liked to have seen Sir George burying the past, end shaking hands in the most cordial manner over a glass of champagne to the good old remembering that thej r are both old men, and may not possibly meet again on earth. It is a sad feeling to carry about with us a feeling of ill-will. Leaders of the people should of all men be unblamable in their character and conduct if they expect the people to have confidence iu them. We agree with the ‘ Herald’ that this colony is too chivalric a race to favor such demonstrations of weakness as our Premier exhibited the other day. It may be that the public does not know all, but until such time as they do know of some greater cause than they do now, they must hold Sir George guilty of a gross slight io Loyalty itself ; and we do hope the head of the Government will lose no time in putting himself right. To say that the Premier does not know better would be to say what is not true. No one knows better what is expected from those in authority than Sir George Grey, and evidently do one feels more keenly any slight or neglect than ho does ; but he has failed in this instance to do as ho would have others do unto him ; he has grossly failed as an Englishman to pourtray the true English character in this instance. Compared with the extreme, civilities profusely bestowed by Statesmen of other nations—such as France, Russia, or Austria—even to tiieir bitterest enemies, Sir George’s demeanour on this occasion must appear cold and chilling, and not calculated to raise the English character in the estimation of settlers from these countries who may be living amongst us. We are not sure, however, that Sir George may not be able to paint as black a picture of our late Governor, and some disclosures may be made that may al er the case, hut tbe old saying that two blacks will never make a white, will still hold good. One good action, it is said, deserves another, but the same does not hold good on the other side if our code of moral laws are sound.
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Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 123, 22 February 1879, Page 2
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568The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1879. Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 123, 22 February 1879, Page 2
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