The Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3897, 20 August 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1875.

Mr Stafford appears to have very nearly brought the Abolition debate to a close. His speech, in the breadth of its opinions and the pertinence of its details, formed a striking contrast to the style of the Opposition members. In times past we frequently differed from Mr Stafford’s policy. We felt bound to condemn his action regarding the Native difficulty \ we did not approve the course he took when opposing the Public Works and Immigration scheme. But throughout his political career Mr Stafford has been so far consistent that he has always displayed anxiety for the welfare of the Colony, irrespective of his own reputation; and has ever been remarkable lor fearless advocacy of his own opinions, for clearness of thought, and very superior ability. During the past few years the further development of his character has bi ought conspicuously into view that in candor he walks in the footsteps of the late Sir Egbert Peel— a statesman who never hesitated to avow a change of opinion when convinced that he had previously been in error. To a mind so constituted, the pettiness of mere party seems contemptible; i t cannot be bound or trammelled by such gulling fetters. However distasteful it may be to give up old associations, there is greater self-satisfaction in acting upon conviction. The more onerous struggle of arriving at the determination to avow conviction of error

before the world has to be endured; for the certainty looms like a spectra that charges of inconsistency, changeableness, and time-serving will b© the probable greeting by mankind of such an avowal. Of all ghosts the moat frightful are the creations of our own imaginations. They are present night and day. They fade not with the dawning light, and grow more ghastly the more they are retained before the mind’s eye. To a statesman seeking to retain power, adverse public opinion conjures up the most dismal spectre. On its forehead are depicted the world’s false comparisons with others perhaps less able, and attribution of baseless reasons for changed opinions; its eyes betray the agony of crushed hopes, and gaze anxiously upon the ideal picture of a nation jeering at the victim in contempt; while its mouth seems ready to open in deprecation of the scornful utterances of the public and the Press. The reason may argue with this ever-present impersonality in vain. It can never be exorcised until a sense of duty overrides its warnings and rouses the man to be content with an approving conscience rather than the applause of party. Mr Stafford has more than once shown that he defies the phantom, public opinion. He once opposed the Native policy of the FoxVoGtKL administrations : he classes that opposition now with the mistakes of the “ wretched past.” He once opposed the Public Works and Immigration scheme, and met it by another ; he feels now he can support it, for experience has shown its value. But no one can charge him with inconsistency in advocating the Abolition scheme; for although not identical with his own proposal some years back, it reaches the goal he aimed at by another route. Yet he has made some sacrifices in his

support of the measure. Many of those who were accustomed to idolize -im are now opposed to him. Had he proposed the change, possibly moat of them would have been with him. In all probability the mist would have been c'.eared away from Mr Reid’s eyes ; and he would have seen the difficulties Pi oviriculism presents to Colonial development now hidden from his sight. Mr Thomson, of the Clutha, relieved from his Vogelphobia, would, in all likelihood, have fawned on his old leader, and Mr Murray would have introduced a few figures into his mythic calculations that would have brought out different financial results. The effect of Mr Stafford’s speech had nearly rendered the Oaversbam election powerless for good or harm, for, had not Mr White, the irrepressible member for Hokitika, mustered courage to utter another bark, the division would have been taken last night.