THE Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1879. THE KNIGHTLY DUEL.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 60, 26 July 1879, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1879. THE KNIGHTLY DUEL.

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The conflict now being waged m the Legislative Assembly is perhaps one of the most peculiar m the annals of political warfare, for anomalous as it niayappear, we have the spectacle of !iwo armies entering the battle-field for a a struggle t« the death, but Jed on by generals m whom their men have not the slightest confidence. The unanimity with which Press, Public, arid Parliament seek the expulsion from office of Sir Geoegh GtEby, is full j equalled by the want of i faltl* m. tbie leadership of Sir ; Wilu^ Pox. There, can be no doubt that theleader of the Opposition has done yeo man's service m the cause of the Colony and when- its annals ■hall come.to.be written,, his labors should be a bright like his knightly antagonist, belongs to a past- generation, for 'while retaining all of his youthful rigor as a terror to his foes., he has lost the power to make himself respected by his party or esteemed by his friends. His opposition is;of the virulent, vindictive kind which appears to be dictated by a desire to stab and wound, rather than a battle for an avowed principle, and hence while lie is often unjust and seldom impartial, his power and utterances fail to exercise the -influence of a less able man; and his own 'party while following him for the time, do not believe m him. He is m the position of >a man who has lived beyond his time, for decidedly his legislative career during the past, two Sessions has donejmore to rob him of tfoa<t fame which a long, energetic, and useful public 'career had deservedly given him, than his many years of servitude did to gain it. Had he retired upon his well-won laurels, we would find the journalist of the future --aye, of the present — sighing for the good old days when Fox either led or bearded the Opposition/ and holding him up a.s a model for emulation to the aspirations of the ambitious legislator. There is po feeling more galling to a proud man than to know that he h&s outlived his usefulness ; and whetherit be m theiring or the political arena; tlie stage or the piatfarra, the man whole day is past will exhibit a laudable prudence and discretion m avoiding rather than courting the* certainty of defeat Looking back, . then;* upon the long public and political'caretr of Sj.r "William For, we were^Well pleased^to read ajlittle while since, a most positive and distinct assertion m the columns of a jburnai to which he is known to contribute^ that he would on no account accept the leadership of the Opposition. If tkat statement werejpot actually written by Sir William himself; his connection with the jouHial gave^it a. weight far greater than the generality of newspaper canards, and, consequently it was received with a large amount of credence. That it has since proved to = ; be incorrect we attribute to the want of strength of the hon. member m resisting the alluring prospect of place and power— we will not say pay, becauiie..we do him the justice of thinking that that was but a small ingredient of the motive.power for the change: That his acceptance of the pf>Rt, which m Ws cooler- and better judgmen^he hads:determined. to'ayoid, was a mistake, requires but little discrimination to discern ; but if fnrthey proof were wanting it might be found m the call to v arms . sounded m the Liberal camp, "tf Sir W^miam Foi hugs.him^ self with the. expectation that wh^en his aged opponent has been' sent- into Opr position, .the reins of power will be left long m Kis clufches, we are very mjlbt afraid he willifind himself : Vof ully TOistaken^ and dftidbver to hl^:cliagr)nt that the only aim of^he majorityrwas to send Sir CJbqbgb Quitr to the right-about, ;i)ot to m»ke a 'vacancy with the indention of his filling it. "With regard fiio'the Premier his whole career in 'the Resent Parliament has been a grave:, mistake from beginning to end. When Sir GEbEG^&BBT threw down the gauntlet of'^aefiance m. defence oi his .dear Provinciilisni, and. quitted the tlitude of his isdand home to dp battle'

ponents applauded th» chivalry" of the gallant old knight ; and when the Atkinson Ministry struck its colors and handed over the ,Ship of State, the event was hailed with universal joy and lubilation. When the new captain read his commission on the quarter-deck, and unfurled hi« banner upon which was inscribed m letters of gold the word " Liberalism," he departed on his first voyage followed by the " god' • speeds '* and good wishes of nine-tenths of the colonists. If, however, the outset was so" bright and re-assuring, its course was singularly disastrous^ the track being strewn with wrecked (hopes, aud broken promises, until the gallant bark lies stranded, driven on shore by the wilful negligence and culpable obstinacy of its officers. The court martial is now being held, but the past experience will make Parliament somewhat chary into whose hands so grave a ■ trust will be next placed m the future.