The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2491, 9 February 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1871.

As the polling day draws political feeling is naturally intensified; and although from the particular bias of the up-country Press generally, it is difficult to arrive at a conclusion as to the real tendency of the public mind, enough has leaked out, we may say, however, to justify our conclusion some few days ago that in the up-country districts Mr Mac Andrew will be strongly supported, and that even in what may be considered the stronghold of the enemy he will receive no inconsiderable support. If Queenstown and the Arrow in any way lead the vote of the Lake district, our telegrams are conclusive as to the vote which will be there recorded. The Dunstan —including several important townships, and having a large electoral roll—is, we believe, almost unanimous, and will offer a very impassive resistance to the special pleadings of Mr Reid. iuapeka has numerically large voting power, and it is confidently asserted will be five to one against the present Superintendent. Time and the ballotboxes will show ; but wo have reason to assert that there is a strong and inilueutial party there, whose prophet is not Mr J. C. Brown, -and who have limited belief even in Mr Bastings, although these two gentlemen arc good enough to arrogate to themselves the political control of the electoral mind of the district. Surprises are in store for some people, and the Tuapeka poll will not be one of the most agreeable for the Southern League clique. It should be a matter ©f serious consideration to every elector, Why should these things be 1 Why should the loud-mouthed supporters of Mr Macandrew in 1867 be now his most vehement opponents, and his quondam opponents now his warm partisans 1 We must analyse, and the analysis will afford a wholesome lesson. In 1867 Mr Macandkew opposed MiDick, a gentleman supported by the leading men of all classes in Dunedin, and universally respected for his amiable qualities. Requisitions signed by the yard ornamented the columns of every newspaper and the unforbidden corners of every public building. His return was certain—so his friends said, and so any man might have thought. All the forces, to speak scientifically, were not however calculated ; and while the magnates of the land arranged for the return of Mr Dick, they forgot there was a voice whose expression had neither been courted nor expressed—the “ voice of the people.” Mr Macandrcw appealed to that voice, and it hailed him as a man of progress, and as the proved friend of the workingman ; and it will do so again at the poll on the 20th instant. There were certain professional politicians—a class necessarily created by our responsible system, and who specially haunt, and we may add are the curse of, our large towns—who were very eager then on what they knew was the winning side, and who achieved some temporary notoriety by the course they took ; who went in heavy for Mr Macandrew ; some wrote—all talked ; each of them chose to consider that to his individual exertions the victory was owing. No doubt they did their work, and were paid for it—but unfortunately they could not all be permanently provided for during the last four years ; and June illcr. lachri/mcr, they go on the other side, and try Mr Reid. We wish them Joy of the bargain—if they win. Reid’s scorpions will sting sharper than Macandrew’s whips. So much for the highly disinterested loud-mouthed opponents—in 1867 the equally loud-mouthed supporters—of Mr Macandkew. As he himself has feelingly observed, “ He <k could not unfortunately find billots « for all of them, so they were eager “ against him in the hope of better “ times ” ! We hope the advocacy of these men, and such as these, will meet with that success which it undoubtedly merits ; and that the band of mercenary loafers will be disbanded, paid by both parties, and acknowledged by none. -