THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING.

Evening Star, Issue 2863, 23 April 1872, Page 2

THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING.

To the Editor. , Sir, — Will you kindly allow me space for a few words in reference to tbe late severe affliction in the Royal House of England, and the almost miraculous, or at least the providential recovery of His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales. I have watched, as doubtless many others have, with some considerable degree of interest and anxiety for some manifestation of (he public feeling in

New Zealand on this occasion, bat as yet she makes no ‘ 1 sign ” ; and I would feel relieved to know what cause can be ascribed for such unusual silence and seeming apathy on a subject of such paramount importance in so many ways of consideration. Surely the people of this fine Colony are not growing so cold, callous, and dead to every spark of sympathy, every social tie, and moral obligation for the good old Mother Country, as to suffer the passing events which have stirred the inmost vitals, of almost, or quite every, civilised people in the world with sympathetic fervour and alarm, to pass by unheeded and uncared for, as though they knew it not. I confess it is to me a source of mystery and regret, and I trust the spirit of ultra Republicanism or Communism is nofgrowing so rampant among us as to engender the idea of repudiating every principle of loyalty and attachment to, and in connection with Great Britain; for if so, and this thing is to be considered its first fruits, then Sir, it is indeed a sorry display of ingratitude to begin with, especially when contrasted with the fine feelings of sensibility displayed on this occasion by that grand ideal of the Republican’s ambition, viz., the United States of America. Sir, I conceive the great political interest involved in this matter deeply concerns the progressive welfare of Europe; but Great Britain, with all her Colonial dependencies in particular, and her peoples of every grade and distinction both at home and abroad (New Zealand excepted) have unmistakably shown by the late demonstrations that they can and do fully appreciate the benign influence of the social and Christian virtues wherever shown ; and that they will gladly continue and improve upon the present mild and efficient system of monarchical Government, by which her laws are more rightously administered, her people live in a more settle state of peace and security, enjoying a much greater amount of liberty, in the true sense of the word, than any other known system of Government existing. I would not ask so great a boon as to have a day set apart for “ thanksgiving,’’although St Patrick is not grudged so much honor in Otago, but 1 would simply suggest that a a public form of “ thanksgiving” be prepared, and that by due notice given, the same be said, or sung, simultaneously in every place of religious worship on some appointed Sabbath, for I would not willingly that our fellow Colonists, the Jews, should give us a just cause to blush for our apathy and seeming disloyalty—l am, &c, Te Deum Laudamus.