The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1879.

Dunstan Times, Issue 905, 22 August 1879, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1879.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the PEN' is mightier than the swonn.

Our Cromwell contemporary is tei - - ribly angry at the prospect of an uncontested election, and in the fullness of his wrath he soundly rates the electors of the district for what he is pleased to term their political apathy, lie seems unable to understand the possibility even of the existence of an electorate contented to retain a tried and faithful public servant; and regards such a condition of affairs as an evidence of “ the self abasement of our should-be leading men in the Dunstan District.” Who these “should-be” gentlemen are, we are not informed ; but rumour hath jt that a ceitain ‘noble person rejoicing in the valiant designation of “ Captain ” is not alto gather unwilling to sacrifice himself on the altar of his country—if sutlicient inducement is offered. But, alas ! an ungrateful peop'e fail to appreciate the magnanimity of such a sacrifice. Hinc ilhv lucrymcc. And, barring Mr Fraser, whose intentions are not yet certainly known, there is not any other “ leading man ” willing to accept the situation. The pros pect is doleful enough in all conscience. But unhappily for our contemporary, his wailings smell a little too much of the printing office. Beading between the lines of his querulous attack on the electors generally and Mr Fyke in particular, we discern the not unnatural lamentations of one to whom placards are very dear, and to whom advertisements are as the breath of life. Not that these are utterly unbeloved by ns, but that we fall short of our contemporary in this matter; and are not desirous, as he is, of setting the whole electorate by the ears for the sake of a little personal gain. Indeed, w r e hold that nothing could be more unwise, impolitic, and unpatriotic, at the present eventful crisis than to cripple our representative in Pailiament, as a contested election assuredly would do Now, if ever, is the time when his hands should be strengthened so that he may he strong in the cause of the people ; and this cannot he done more effectually than by the exhibition of confidence in, ami respect for him which an unopposed election will evince The assertion in which our contemporary indulges that opposition will do Mr Byke good, is an evidence of his want of knowledge of human nature. Nothing goads a strongminded man—such as we take Mr Byre to be—so much as senseless opposition; and no:lung is better calculated to secure the gratitude of such a man, as reasonable support. For our own part we trust Mr Fyke will on this occasion be returned without a contest, and returned he certainly will be, no matter who Ids opponent may bo. The next Parliament will be but of short duration—existing possibly for only one session, certainly not for more than two. For directly the Reform Bills, as they are termed, become law—the basis of representation being enlarged and a general redistribution of electorates having been effected—the House must again be dissolved. 8o that in a few mouths the country will again be subjected to the turmoil of a general election. By his conduct in the inter val Mr Pyke must bo judged, and no doubt with such a vigilant sentinel as our Cromwell friend always ou the watch, all the faults which he commits, and many which he does not commit, will be duly recorded against him in the strongest language permissible to “ leaded ” type. As our contemporary says, in the light and airy French style which so well becomes him—Wo shall see.