To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 14th September, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 327, 16 September 1848, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 14th September, 1848.

Sir, — Whatever opinions we may entertain with regard to the political disputes which are now creating such an agitation in this settlement, on one point at least all parties must be unanimous. Mr. Fitzherbert plays the part of Merry-Andrew iv a masterly manner. With regard to his speech at the meeting on Tuesday last, however poor in argument, however devoid of reason, however opposed to the strict accuracy of facts, it was at least a masterpiece of buffoonery ; and to this, and this only, did it owe the reception which it met with amongst a large section of the audience. The post assigned to him by his political colleagues was the Tomfoolery; he wanted to "amuse the people," as he himself expressed it. But, Sir, I ask every man of sense who possesses one spaik of independent spirit, is it not a most pitiful spectacle to behold a man who has attained to Mr. Fitzherbert's age, and who has passed a great portion of his Jife in the pursuit of an honourable profession, and who has, moreover, held a most prominent position amongst the merchants of this settlement; — Is it not, I say, a most pitiful spectacle to see this man, now in his old age, stand up as a political Cheap Jack, and endeavour to upset the just cause of his opponents by the aid of buffoonery? When the hasty impressions of indignation and disgust which such a scene must create have passed away, there lemains on the mind but one sentiment, that of extreme unmitigated pity. We can forgive the perversion of facts as testified in the statement respecting the Governor's reply to thefirst memorial, the very first passage of which is a most pointed and severe rebuke to the parties who originated that memorial. We can forgive the attempt made to bring yourself into disrepute by a vague accusation. We can forgive all these faults, because we feel that the party who could be guilty of them is unworthy of any other sentiment than that of compassion. Enough, however, of an individual ; let me say a few words of the party with whom he is allied. They gained, on Tuesday last, a fictitious victory by the aid of a deeply laid scheme, which will be a lasting disgrace to them. In point of fact, however, they have received a severe check. They have been forced to measure strength with their opponents, and they have found that, notwithstanding they made use of every scheme which their ingenuity could devise to upset their adversaries, yet the two parties were very nearly matched ; their whole strength was put forth, whilst that of their opponents was ill-or-ganized, and hastily brought into action ; and moreover, the result cannot but lower them in the eyes of all those who have hitherto remained silent spectators only. How will it be then on futirre occasions, when the cause of independence, strengthened by daily accessions, shall again and again be required to oppose the encroachments of these would be dictators? The very first skirmish has unmasked the true state of their resources. Take from them the Lombard-street influence, and what else have they to depend upon? That is their great, their only stronghold, and can it be supposed that we are continually to suffer such a drawback on the prosperity of the colony 1 It is an evil which, e'er long, must and will work its own cure. The first blow has already been struck, and however unpleasant the conviction may be to them, still I think they will, like Macbeth, begin to doubt the equivocation " that lies like truth" — " Fear not, till Birnam wood Do come to Dunsinane; — and now a wood Comes toward Dunsinane." From their conduct on Tuesday last we might suppose they had even on their lips the concluding words, " At least we'll die with harness on our back." I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A Settler.