THE LATE SIR JOHN O'SHANASSY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3707, 2 June 1883, Page 4

THE LATE SIR JOHN O'SHANASSY.

By the death of Sir John O'Shanassy (Avritcs a Melbourne correspondent) Victoria litis lost ono of her most prominent statesmen. A quarter of a century ago tho name of O'Shanassy was ono to conjure by. Ho Avas then the trusted and popular leader against the extreme squatting party. Ho was a politician of note before tho introduction of Responsible Government, and took a prominent part iv the framing of tho measure Avhich subsequently became the Constitution Act. Under Responsible Government he thrice held the position of Premier, tho last time from 1861 to 1863, sinco Avhich date he has not held office. As the unquestioned leader of tho Legislative Council for several years following on the Darling Tariff struggle, he held a position of no small responsibility aud poAver. Subsequently ho hankered after returning to Lower House, and after a defeat at'Kihnore, succeeded iv 1877 in securing his election for Belfast, to be again rejected at the last clocfion. Sir John O'Shanassy Avas a man of undeniable forco of character, Avith convictions not to be swnyed by every breath of popular feeling, and with a breadth of view which enabled him to riso above the Littlo Pcdlin'-rton conceptions of local politicians. But ho was a man of overbearing manners, and of intense self-conceit, ivhich not unfroquently excited tho ridicule of his opponents. He Avas a strong Roman Catholic, and of late years Avas regarded as their leader and representative. By the manipulation of this vote in the country and iv Parliament he boasted of having rendered any Ministry impossible Avhich did not concede the Roman Catholic claims ou education. One of the latest utterances Avas to abjure Irishmen to remember that thoy are Australians, and to devote themseh-es to tho task of building up a nation hero, and not to import Old-World agitations, Avhicli rend tho community, aud can have no profitable result.