The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 282, 10 February 1849, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

He just and fear not: Let all the ends tlion aims't at, be thy Country's, lliy Ron's, and I ruth's.

~sat u r d ay,"fe~b k u a r y 10. 1 8 4 9

By the brig Susan, arrived from Port Nicholson on Thursday, we have Wellington Papers to the 31st; and one "Nelson Examiner" of the 13th lilt. Their contents are not particularly interesting, Nominee Councils being still a subject for the Spectator and Independent to play at carte and tierce with. A squib, under the title of a " Translation of an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," has issued in the shape of a pamphlet from the Independent Office ; and has, also, appeared in the columns of that Journal. It is a satire upoir the Governor-in-Chief, the Nominees, and the political rats. In another form it would have been allowable enough, but to tamper with the formula of Scripture is beyond the province of legitimate wit. Moreover, it lacks novelty. Hone was placed upon his trial before Lord Ellenborough for such profanation — Blackwood's Magazine was nearly ruined because of admission of an article in the like strain ; and lampoons upon Sir George Arthur, of similar composition, entitled the " Loo Choo Papers," (in which the tyrant ruler was designated Aaron the Satrap,) whilst they led certain barren spectators to laugh, caused the judicious to grieve, since they did more to damage the cause they sought to espouse than the most malevolent attempts of its bitterest foes. It is a pity that political antagonism should descend to personal inveteracy, and we tmst that, having let off their advertising squibs, the Wellington Editors will forget and forgive. H. M. Steam Sloop " Acheron" arrived at Wellington on the 31st. H. M. Ship "Havannah" having sailed for Sydney the same day. We are, also, in receipt of the three first numbers of the " Otago News," a neatlyprinted and very creditable Journal, issued once a fortnight. We heartily commend the tone of its opening address, which, with other Southern extracts, will be found in another page. l

That " a rolling stone gathers no moss" is a proverb as venerable as it is veritable. So> just, indeed, is the aphorism that were the Rollers shod with the most costly and tjhe'

most durable metal,it could scarce. we think, be a question that the sheathing would be worn and wasted away in eccentric and profitless circumgyrations. The recent intelligence from California has set many Rollers in motion, and the moss which they have bowled to the antipodes to acquit e they are now about to rub off, in hope of achieving a coating of a more dazzling description. We aie sorry to learn that we have several of those Rollers amongst us. It was not to incite to change that we quoted so largely the Califomian news, but that men of sense j and reflection might perceive that gold, even when obtained, may be purchased at a price too costly. GoJd, like other commodities, requires disbursements ere its eager hunter can possess it ; and it would be well of speculators were they to calculate the indispensable outlay of the manufactured article in problematical acquision of the raw material. Let them look at the rate of passage money that must be paid ; the investment in tools, provisions, clothing, and other necessary traps. The danger, the difficulty, and the expense attendant upon the removal of their effects from the port of debarkation to the point of operation : — and, if they escape murder, sickness, and sudden death, by the way, let them consider that they start late, and that the canaille which has hitherto been reaping the glittering harvest may have since Leen warned off ; and that to dig and to wash may have been proclaimed felony by the United States, to whose Government this golden " fork" alone of right pertains. Men would do well to ponder such matters, (leaving all moral considerations entirely out of the question) ere they break up prudent connections, to rush upon doubtful and hazardous experiments. That America will drive the spoilers from the States' lands, is a probability, few we conceive will be inclined to question. It is not to be supposed that a nation will long permit the needy desperadoes of other lands to rob her treasury of the fruits obtained by her own good sword or by her judicious pen. If, then, the diggings should be debarred, what will become of the Rollers who have risked their all in such a scramble ? It may be, sanguinely, assumed that the American Government will either not interfere or that, for a time, it will be too weak to interfere. The one assumption we utterly disbelieve, and they that act upon the other must betray a morality it would be idle to discuss. That there are thousands on the gui vive for California who will only be too happy to en- • courage a state of lawless disorder, we are firmly persuaded : — Such worthies will, in all probability, receive congenial leinforcements from out the elite of the freed by servitude, and enfranchised probationers of Van Diemen's Land Port Phillip, and New South Wales. Amongst such modern condottieri , there will exist an esprit de carps, a peifection of appropriative talent, which the less trained " diggers" will find it hopeless, if not perilous, to compete with. — These Procrustian bands may deem it more convenient to dive into their neighbour's sacks than to dig into the Califomian mould ;— and, on a soil, where all are plunderers, what else can be said of them, that spoil the spoilers, than that they have most becomingly illustrated the ancient maxim — "That they should take who have the will, A.nd they should kesp who can /" We may err ; but we caanot but fear that, foi brigandism, American California will rival Neapolitan Calabria. If so— is it for enjoyments such as these, that Britons forsake an Englishman's fireside ? There appears to us to be but one legitimate speculation with respect to California, and that is an instantaneous supply of food and clothing: — yet even that channel will, we doubt not, be speedily choked from the avidity with which the traders of the other colonies are preparing for the market ; and from the glut which will be discharged fiom every practicable port of the United States. It is only to be expected that this " auri sacra fames" will deluge San Francisco with inferior goods and worse adventurers. Already its morality is pronounced to be at the lowest level : — But, what will it be when enriched with the choicest culls of America, Australasia, and Polynesia ? The United States are naturally rejoiced at the acquisition of California. We fear the purchase will be at the price of the integrity of many of her hardiest and most hopeful sons. — Could the soil apostrophize its possessors it might perchance, most tiuthf wily, affiim. 11 I give thee go!d, worse poison to men's souls Thau the worst compounds which, tit touch, is death!"