THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1727, 2 September 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1879.

Political complications are gradually unravelling themselves, and as the day of polling is getting nearer the electoral atmosphere is becoming clearer. Public opinion, for a short period sot on a keen edge by the mystifying beauties of language of the “ old man eloquent,” is steadily recovering its normal equilibrium, and the good sense of the greatest number is slowly but surely shaking off the thick coating of bunkum and clap-trap with which Sir George Grey and his “ Liberally associated” friends have endeavored so profusely to cover it. The nomination of the candidates for the city took place yesterday, and to the disgust of the “ Liberals” and their loaders—Messrs Reeves and Turnbull —the event was not distinguished by any startling effervescence of Greyism. When we use the word disgust we of course refer to the keen sense of disappointment with which the Grey-cum - Treadwell - cum - Andrews party received the news that, contrary to promise, Sir George Grey would not make an appearance on the nomination boards at the officially appointed hour. Among some of the ultra-Greyite sections of that many-ribbed and slen-derly-ossified body, loud and bitter were, we understand, the cries against Sir George for breaking this, his first pledge to the Liberal Association, who had made him promise to “ bo sure and give them another speech before the polling day.” We fully sympathise with the many disappointed ones, and with Messrs. Treadwell and Andrews especially. It was all arranged, we believe, that the former of these two “ Tribunes ” would deliver an address to the working men under the patronage of “ my old friend, Sir George,” the subject of which effort was to be “ The Rights of Men,” from a modernised point of view. Mr. Treadwell’s “ section ” had received an assurance from Sir George Grey that he would so manage his southern trip as to chaperon Mr. Treadwell on the Monday evening. But man oftentimes only proposes things which are being disposed of in a totally different way. Mr. Andrews’ “ section,” wo are told, having heard of this, to them, one-sided arrangement, naturally enough pricked up their ears, and Sir George Grey was moved accordingly. Would betake Mr. Andrews under his wing that evening ? Like au old and experienced campaigner, Sir George Grey speedily cut the Gordian — not Georgian knot. “ How happy might I not have been with either”—ho probably exclaimed as the Hinomoa carried him northwards —“ but how much more charming to bo away.” The Liberal Reform Association however, nothing abashed, and determined to put a good face upon their disappointment, mustered in great force at the Oddfellows’ Htll yesterday, in response to the call of the Returning Officer. For the time being their little bickerings, heartburnings, and “ reform” sores wore sot aside, and the Greyite element, with its variecoloured tints of Treadwellism, “ rolled up” and showed a hold and even front. A pleasing sight, indeed, the opening of this electoral performance must have boon to the eyes of the patriotic powers who so mightily conceived tho Liberal furore now stir-

ring up our generally peaceful political waters, although the termination of the proceedings may have perhaps damped the enthusiasm of some of our friends. Of course, in these days of the ballot, although its spirit has hardly, as yet, had time to become thoroughly engrained into the habits of the people, shows of hands ou nomination days may be said to count for but little. Owing to the well arranged plans of the Liberal Association, however, yesterday’s proceedings are certainly entitled to be excepted from this rule. From the numbers run up, and the mode in which a largo portion of the gathering was got together, wo certainly must confess that wo scarcely feel at all inclined to disagree with those who affirm that Mr. Treadwell has at last tickled the constituency, and that he will this time obtain more than a mere nibble. Time, however, can alone show how the land really lies. Some people will have it that, under existing circumstances, worse might happen to the city than that it should be “ thirdly” represented by him who is developing such curious and rare phases of Groyism. This, however, is a somewhat tender point, and one which we would rather not discuss. We have no desire to offend Mr. Andrews, and heaven forbid that we should lay ourselves open to the anger of Dr. Turnbull. As to the feelings of Mr. W. Reeves’ “ Liberal Reform Association,” wo, in common with the groat body of Christchurch citizens, would no more think of running the risk of the displeasure of those “ whole-souled” patriots than of incurring that of the “ bould gendarmes” in “ GirofleGirofla.” Still if we are to re-echo public opinion—a thing very changeable at the best of times—we would place the third, fourth, and fifth candidates, as follows: Mr. Treadwell, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Andrews.

We must give Mr. Andrews full credit for his address to the Christchurch constituency on Saturday evening. He certainly showed that he had fortified himself with what facetious people called facts. Those facts, however, were mostly taken from lately-delivered utterances by Greyite orators. Not that their weight or value, if any, should be in the least diminished by the temporary purloining to which wo refer. It will never be questioned that a good joke retailed second, or even third hand, is vastly superior to a bad ono, fresh from a twaddler’s brains. And therefore, considering the onerous and up-hill work set before himself hy Mr Andrews in his patriotic endeavours to be “all things unto all men,” we gladly admit that his rechauffe of “ Liberal ” platitudes, interlarded with the usual Greyistic dogmas, was a very happy and appropriate one. At election times, prudence dictates that youthful athletes in the political arena should not try too much at the onset. To bo guided by the precepts of others who have toed the political line before, is real wisdom. Mr Andrews possesses common souse. When ho becomes conscious of his deficiency or inability to originate new ideas on novel subjects, he has penetration enough to ferret out what other laborers in the same vineyard, who are better instructed in the same political catechism, have had to say in the matter. And Mr. Andrews’ path, when speaking at the Gaiety Theatre last Saturday, ran right smoothly. The principal questions of the day ho had “ pat ” on his fingers’ ends, and no one will accuse him of being devoid of a good memory. Whether on the dual Maori voting question, or on that of the Thames railway swindle, Mr Andrews had his answer ready—cut and dried—and his post-mortem examination of the acts of the Grey Ministry was deal - , if not instructive. Good-natured, plastic and humane Mr. Andrews ! We can only hope that you do fully understand all what you said on that memorable evening; that you may obtain an opportunity of ventilating it on the Parliamentary stage, and that the Babel of reform which you so clamorously advocate as vitally necessary on behalf of the happiness of the human race at large, and the poor trodden-down working classes of Christchurch in particular, may not result in your regretting having undertaken so herculean a task. Cremation of old-fashioned —lot us call them conservative—ideas, is at times wanted; and nothing will assist the process more than those marvellous algebraic equations on finance, which your didactic friend Mr. Treadwell can produce at will, as a cunning conjurer plays on his inexhaustible bottle.