The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 512, 30 September 1857, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, September 26. Things are quiet just now. The machine of Government set in motion in 1853 has run its destined period and stopped, .to.be constructed again and started afresh. The operation is an expected one, having been provided as the nature of our political life by the Constitution Act; hut it brings with it a certain surprised feeling. The change is complete and affects the highest authorities in the province, the whole Legislature and the head of the Executive. The Government that has been is not, and the Government that is to be we do not know. There is a slight provision for gliding from the old state of things into the new, but it is almost destitute of the elective principle which is supposed to provide self-govern-ment when the machine is in full action.

The calm of the present day may be the prelude to a future storm. There will at least be some excitement at the elections. These occasions run into the extremes either of indifference or riot. We would impress upon those who are to take part in the ensuing contests that the middle course is the only proper one. Let every elector be prepared to use the self- governing power committed to him, and let him also be careful not to use or suffer any interference with such a privilege. Were the choice of candidates unlimited, such a course must result in the return of the fittest man for the post among the electors. But let the candidates be the best or the worst possible, neither apathy nor tumult can distinguish the one from the other.