"C.U.G." ON NATIONALITIES.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 407, 7 November 1884, Page 2

"C.U.G." ON NATIONALITIES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — The question of nationality, like religion, is rather a sensitive one, and should be eschewed as much as possible, more especially in the columns of a journal. Your corresDondent " C.U.Gv" states that "J.M," has been " putting his foot in it " in affirming that the hero of Conanna was an Irishman. " C.U.G-." will have both feet in it when claiming him to by a Scotchman,

As well might he claim Wellington and, Wolseley to be Scotchmen who have a thousand times asserted that they-wero proud of their Irish descent and lineage. The reading of "C.U.G.'s" letter recalled to my mind a most amusing incident which took place at Westminster. It was the only time I had 'ever been there, and I was anxious to have the honor of paying a visit to the House of Commons. I was taken in by an English gentleman to whom I liad been introduced, and as we entered the statuary hall, where the statues of the greatest leaders are, he pointed to three of the foremost figures and said — "These have been the foremost orators of the Commons of England." I did not look to see the names beneath, but I asked " Who are they V He replied "They are Burke, Sheridan, and . Grattau." I said "Why those are all Irishmen." "Oh ! no, Sir," he said, " you are greatly mistaken ; they belong to the English Parliament." The fact is everything that is good claimed to be either English or Scotch, and nothing goo 1 or meritorious will be acknowledged to b? ; Irish. " What good can come out of Nazareth ?" I don't think that your correspondent ■'"O.U.Gr."rnay be underthe slightest apprehension of " J.M." exhuming the bones of Burns and bringing them over to the G reen Isle. Exclude the wonderful poetry he wrote, and what signs o£ greatness as a man did Burns give us 1 And does his poetry contain all that moral excellence to entitle him to be placed in. the front ranks of a nations celebrities? On this subject even Scotchmen themse'vos differ. One illustrious Scotchman Dr M'Larcn, with whom I was intimately acquainted, gave it as hie opinion that the works of Burns, with his ashes, should be scattered to the winds. His own countrymen arc fnr from acknowledging him to be a paragon of virtue and morality whilst in this life, and I don't think his visit to the other world and the acquaintance he has made there have improved his morality anything. Ho was not held in the odour of sanctity by his own countrymen, and I can assure " C.U.G-."that the people of the Green Isle would not have the moral atmosphere of their virtuous land polluted by such moral plagues. " Nil de mortuis nisi bonum" was an adage with the ancient pagans. Why should it not also be with modern Christianity? In conclusion I may here add "J.M." takes no notice of small contributions such as "C.U.Gr.'s." He either consigns them to the waste basket or passes them over to one of the junior clerks for comment if necessary. — I am, etc., A Chip off the Old Block. Otama, 30th Oct., 1884.