Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954), Wednesday 23 January 1884, page 4


William Jardine Smith

DIED 13TH January, 1884.

Melbourne Punch, 17th Jan.

To those who knew Jardine Smith no words more touching than those that head this notice could be written, and to those who did not know him—the

public for whom he laboured—it would be hard in mere words to give a true idea of the loss that his death has caused to hia friends nnd follow-workers. To tho former he wab a kindly, courteous gentle man-—-the most gentle man wo over know—true nti steel, honest ob the day. His genial Binilo and pleasant humor made him welcome wherever ho went, and among his fellow workers ho wns tho " well-beloved."7 NoyDiau io whom ho over gave his hand—" V hand that can bo clasped no moro"—can rtproa'ch his memory with a dishonorable act, and ho man to whom ho ever govc life word, doubled it, It is well that tho public, for whom " he scorned dclight? and lived lnborious days/ should know thoso things. It,is well that tin's true civil servant should nceiye the tribute due nfttr death that the rules of journnlisui denied him iv his life. .Though tho age of chivalry is past, Jardino Smith wa6 of tho (-tuff of the *'iueri that King Arthur gathered round his famous tnblo. If he did not ?'ride abrontf," ho " wrote abroad, re dressing humnn wrongs. "He spake no slander," no, nor listened to ,tt—,.-' He Honored hia own word as if hia God's.' An honest writer for the Press cannot, of course, expose the evil and let the evildoer escape ; he cannot Bcatbetho sin and let tbo' sinner go scalbless. Mercy, to all would be injiiftiee to all, and no judge upon the bench knew bett'T thou he how properly to apportion his punishment. His sword —his pen— wa? keorTarYd swift, and evil doer and sinner troniblcd at its stroke.: But it was nlw?ys justice nnd never cruelly, that ho, meted put. The white plumo of his quill " was ever foremost in tlie ranks of war," but liko the gallant Henry, he was the first to oflVr quarter when the foe was fairly vanquislnd. He struck no man who was down ; he struck nono unarmed ; ho struck no foul strokes. Victoria is now enjoying a timo of "peace, progress, and prosperity," and few hut the initiated I-now bow much of it is due to tho pen of William Jardine Smith.—