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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 730, 13 April 1853, Page 3

Ix common with many others we have always been deeply convinced that it would be not only for the peace, but, in various respects, for the general good of the Province, that—how 7 evcr inevitable contests for the representation of the people in the Councils might be —there should bean agreement of all parties in the choice of a Superintendent. And we must confess that, —notwithstanding our knowledge of the principles and past conduct of a selfish and mischierous clique which has been perpetually meddling in public affairs, and trying to establish its own supremacy over the popular mind, —we had hoped that this consummation stood a fair chance of being realized when we saw a gentleman brought forward who, perhaps of the whole community, was one of the least, if not the very least, identified with political party, and whose career, during a long residence in the Province, does not present a single point from which a suspicion against his integrity and impartiality could be fairly inferred. That Mr. Bartley was first in the field, and that therefore a second candidate could enter upon it only in the altitude of an opponent, strengthened our expectation that, in this part of the introduction of the New Constitution, the tranquillity and harmony of the constituency would not be rudely disturbed. It turns out, however, that we thought better of the clique than it deserved. Not only has an antagonist appeared, but that antagonist is the individual, amongst all who have in casual conversations been named for the ofilce, whose candidatcship is the most sure to produce a stern and severe collision, and to risk—if not to render absolutely certain —the kindling of discord which may not soon be allayed. In the judgment of many of the most thoughtful, intelligent, and conscientious of the electors, his elevation to the Superintcndency would be a great evil and a deep disgrace to the. Province; and their attachment lo what they believe to be the true interests of the land of their adoption, their loyally to the Crown and institutions of Britain, their solicitude for the education and general advancement of the Native population,—in short, their religion, their patriotism, and their philanthropy, all combine to nerve them to an earnest resistance to the pretensions of a man—into whose hands, they are thoroughly satisfied, the interests they hold dearest could not safely be committed. Mr. William Brown comes forward without a Requisition. We know that Requisitions arc easily got up, and are frequently mere matters of form; still, there is something characlcrislic in the egotism of thus disregarding the usual mode. But, perhaps there was a sufficient reason for it. Was it that one or two of the clique shrunk from the public identification of their names with so violent a political partisan, because they occupy positions in which abstinence from parly politics is enjoined upon them, yet from which they extract other means of exercising a bitter and divisive influence? It could scarcely have been because so many of Mr. Brown's supporters have not what Dogberry describes as the natural gift of reading and writing, for —(although, as Mr. Brown well knows, if the franchise were restricte 1 to those who could write legibly and spell correctly their own names and residences, his prospects of success would be infinitesimal indeed) —yet now, as on former occasions, a friendly pen might do the work for them. But let these things pass for the present. Whether invited or uninvited, Mr. Brown is before the constituency, and they will have to deal with his claims. Mr. Brown docs not condescend to give the electors any information as to his views and principles, appealing to their knowledge of his course for many years as a sufficient foundation on which to rest his claims to their support. This sounds well, and it presents the very platform on which his pretensions should, and shall, be arraigned and tried. There will be ample lime for taking that review of his course in relation to various classes and interests in the colony which he has the hardihood to challenge. We have nothing to do with his personal quarrels with the Governor or the Government, and we trust that the electors will keep all that is merely personal out of view, and form their decision according to what their better judgment may indicate as conducive to the real present and future welfare of the Province. Mr. Brown now aims at a distinction widely different from—as well as higher than—anything that previously lay before his " vaulting ambition," and heself-complacently appeals to his past services as entitling him lo be placed at the head of the Province of Auckland. The issue then is to be joined on the question, Has Mr. Brown's course so far as it may fairly be brought into public scrutiny,—for this limitation we cheerfully concede and shall endeavour to respectHas his course been such as to entitle him to receive at the hands of the electors the office he now seeks, and lo warrant a confidence that be would fill that office purely and disinterestedly as regards himself, and impartially and creditably as regards the Province? This is the field marked out by himself. Be it so. We could desire no belter arena for the contest.