'The views and opinions of Brigadier General John Jacob, CB. Aide-decamp to the Queen; Aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India, &c. &c. &c.; late commanding in chief the British forces in Persia; at present commanding the Sind Irregular Horse, and Political Superintendent of the North-West frontier of Sind.' [‎8] (39/481)

8
stop the mouths, even of false railers, is unwise and weak.
Let those who will, rail on! If you are abused, tke abuse
will only excite reaction in your favour; but if you wince
under criticism, or censure, the chastisement will be
thought to be merited. It is what we are, not what is said
of us, that is alone worth thinking on. # * *
Every servant of the public should glory in publicity;
and if he be really striving simply and solely for the public
good, he will rejoice in seeing his proceedings subjected to
the full light of public opinion, which, more surely than
any other means, will expose his errors and defects. It is
only evil that dreads publicity. # * *
It is the fashion to abuse the Indian press for its scurri
lity and falsehood. But the press, like the government, is
everywhere indicative of the people supporting it. If so
ciety be scurrilous, the press, which is the expression of its
contributors, will be scurrilous also. If, again, the govern
ment, and those possessing accurate information, maintain
secrecy, the press must seek information from unreliable
sources. But it is illogical to argue that the press, which
is dependent for its existence upon the subscriptions of
the public, would wilfully mislead that public, or adopt
language other than that which was found to be most
popular and remunerative.
On the whole, however the press may libel you, you
have, and government should also have, but three remedies,
viz. to inform the editor of the real facts of the case in
point; secondly, to employ a governmental organ for
publishing the truth; or lastly, to prosecute the libeller
according to law.
Even assuming the lowest ground for argument, and
contending in conformity with the views of the narrowest
and least scrupulous minds, I should still maintain that it