THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1724, 29 August 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1879.

In our last issue we referred in mild terms to the unfortunate position in which Mr. W. Reeves' " Liberal Association " had managed to land itself, and we alluded to the two "Tribunes of the People," Messrs. S. P. Andrews and J. W. Treadwell, whom that enthusiastic body had selected to run in harness in tho Grey interest for the representation of the many thousand property-holders of Christchurch. The Liberal party—or at least the party to which the name may fairly be affixed—is, it is indisputable, a very powerful one in Canterbury—and throughout the colony for the matter of that. Let the addresses of each of the Canterbury candidates be closely scrutinised, and it will at once be seen that the address of each one of them let the candidate be called Richardson, Bowen, Stevens, or Rolleston, — ' contains in every particular the true elements of " Liberalism," and should the past politics of those gentlemen be further looked into by the light of their previous ante-ses-sional utterance, or by that of the reports of " Hansard," we defy the most uncompromising Greyite elector to prove that the present opponents of Mr. W. Reeves' " Liberal" candidates are at the present juncture speaking with their lips and not with their heart. Did not, for instance, Messrs Bowen and Richardson say that, from their point of thinking, Triennial Parliaments —which they were asked to advocate—might probably prove inimical to those not wealthy ? And did not Mr. Stevens, regardless of electioneering resuits, bravely nail his Free Trade colours to the mast ? Who, then, not absolutely blinded by rampant demagogism, will be ready to cast into those gentlemen's teeth the accusation that they are "all things to all men" in their eagerness to secure seats in the House.

And this is what troubles the mind of the would-be leaders of public opinion who mysteriously inspire the movements of Mr. W. Reeves' "Liberal Reform Association." And this is what also — alas for Mr. Reeves' compact brigade—has lately led the well-thinking portion of the community to turn anxiously towards the numbers run up at the starting-post and ask themselves: "What manner of men are these, whom we are entreated to back with our votes in the race where our trusty old friends, whom we have, for years past, supported through fair and foul weather, are once more compelled to enter ? " And indeed, when introducing Greyism, crisp, rampant, and undaunted, with Sir George Grey himself at the fore, in the midst of the Christchurch citizens, Mr. Reeves' heart sank sadly within him at the discovery —made too late—that none but the Andrewses, Treadwells, and John Lees of the hour could be got, " for love or money," to swell the element of pure and undiluted Greyism which he had summoned from afar for the good ol the community. Mr. Reeves' " Liberal Association" had been fairly launched upon the troubled electoral sea raised by the Parliamentary dissolution, when he found that no other representative of the " Groat Liberal Reform" party, so loudly proclaimed to exist in Christchurch, could be secured but Messrs. Andrews and Treadwell. Offers had been made to almost every one of the City Fathers, and numbers of tradesmen had also been supplicated to toe the line with great Sir George Grey. All efforts, however, proved of no avail. The " Christchurch Liberal Reform Association " had to fall back upon those two noted patriotic gentlemen, Messrs. Andrews and Treadwell. Mr John Lee had also a chance of nomination, but his elaborate sans culottism frightened even the boldest of the association's radicals. Yes, we admire Mr. S. P. Andrews' pluck and consistency. When his circumstances are well and critically considered, and his political past examined into and weighed at its correct worth, most people, we feel convinced, will agree with us when we say that Mr. Andrews' self-denying, if indiscreet, patriotism is worthy of a better fate. A respectable, honest, hard-working and 'self-denying man, we find him prepared to run all possible risks which may attach to his entering the Parliamentary arena. Family considerations, business ties, the severance of which might bring the rainy day to his door together with its painful adjuncts, all this has been cast aside by Mr Andrews who, honestly, we feel sure, is fully convinced that his lot in life is to reform the world and to bring about the millennium for society at large—with the timely assistance, of course, of Mr. W. Reeve's " Liberal Reform Association," and of our Machiavelan acquaintance, the " Lyttelton Times." So Mr. Andrews, becomes a " Tribune of the People." Well do we remember when, utilised for the nonce, as is the caso now, by other wire pullers, Mr. S. P. Andrews was suddenly run up by another Liberal Reform " party " for honors in the Provincial Legislature. His return was heralded with such similar enthusiasm as greeted Sir George Grey last week. He took his place in the Provincial Council Chamber. He sat there. At times ho spoke. His means of usefulness to the Liberal cause was keenly watched. And when Abolition swept off Provincial institutions, the "party" who had placed poor Mr. Andrews in legislative har-

ness found that his advent in the Council had been as negative in its effect on public interests as it had been injurious to his own. Hot chesnuts he had assisted in pulling out of the fire, but those who in a moment of fervent patriotism had placed him there, no more partook of the savory fruit than did unfortunate Mr. Andrews himself. Since then, like a sensible man, Mr. Andrews, wiser if sadder from his newly-acquired knowledge of the vain, pompous, and wicked ways of tho world, has fallen back upon making himself useful, in his own quiet, unobstrusive way to his friends, and attending to his own business wants. A thousand pities for Mr. Andrews' sake, that ho should have now been dragged forth from his retirement. But, like an old war horse, ho could not resist the sound of the trumpet, brazen though it be, and false tho lips that blew it. We now again behold him, a " Tribune of the People," one of two satellites, who, to order, have to revolve round that wonderful constellation, Sir George Grey. For a few days Mr. Andrews and Mr Treadwell will be nursed in tho same cradle. Of the second Siamese twin —that very old popular educator of the public mind in Canterbury, Mr Treadwell —we shall have a ward to say in due course.

It is very much to be regretted that the laterprovincial Football Match which terminated yesterday, should have ended in some of the young men composing the "Wellington and Christchuroh teams, and other " choice spirits," committing themselves to a most reprehensible lino of conduct. Shortly before twelve o'clock last night these young braves, having copiously " dined," proceeded to tho private residence of Mr. B. Cass, in Hereford street, and, surrounding the house, gave vent to their feelings in the most approved larrikin style. Now, we are not in love with Mr. Cass —far from it; but we must protest against the sanctity of peoples' private houses being invaded in this unbecoming manner. Mr. Cass, ps was at the time reported in our columns, made the other day some, what appeared to us to be, very foolish remarks concerning certain athletic sports, football being among the number. But he is entitled to hold what opinion he chooses on things in general, and no possible right exists on the part of any individual or body of individuals to use illegitimate means of showing their disapprobation of his views. Orderly citizens cannot allow their rest or the peace of their families to be disturbed by larrikinism. The Christchuroh footballers should have shown an example to their guests, and prevented the childish exhibition that took place. Our manly sports have enough enemies as it is, without their votaries weakening their case by displays of bad taste. "We are sure that the sympathies of the citizens will fully be with Mr. Cass in the present instance. Toung men should at all times remember that no man can claim to be called a gentleman unless he follows the golden rule of doing as he would be done by.