To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 19th December, X848,

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 353, 20 December 1848, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 19th December, XB4B,

Sir, — It is not because language like that used by the chairman of the late public meeting is calculated to do much mischief that I intend to animadvert on one or two expressions used by him ; for such language carries its own remedy ; its very violence is its' own cure j it is poison and antidote in the same dose; men no sooner, hear it than they reject it : but" a few historical inaccuracies may asr well be corrected, for there may perchance be persons in the community ignorant enough to be deceived by them. I really think it would puzzle any~bne to find out any resemblance between the objects contended for by the liberals in the civil wars of Por- - tugal andJSpain, and those by the liberals of Wellington, unless it be the fact of there being a paper constitution in both cases, instead of a tri-coloured flag, as is more usual. In Portugal the object was the substitution of Maria for Miguel; in Spain, of Isabella for Carlos j in both instances, a constitution was the pretext, and the watchword of the party. And what after many years has been the result m those countries ? The hateful arbitrary Government of Maria- is even now only maintained in power by foreign support, as was evident last year when our i fleet was in the Tagus ; and the tyranny of the sanguinary despotic Narvaez now ruling in Spain will not easily find a parallel in any modern country, certainly not in Europe. Such has been the result of the valour of the worthy chairman of, the late jjubhc meeting, and the liberals in this physical force crusade. lam glad to think that "in this country fighting is not necessary;" but I confess I have my doubts whether liis moral influence mission will prove more successful. That he has zeal and enthusiasm none can doubt; but he lacl^s knowledge, judgment, and discretion; and these are indispensable to success. Something more than vague and exciting language is necessary in the present circumstances of the colony to induce men to believe they are slaves, and suffering from oppression, it is not an easy thing to persuade men who are happy and oontented, enjoying almost every blessing that men can wish for-— peace and tranquillity unknown now m Europe — civil and religious liberty without stint or limit; — money supplied by the moth er-country to maintain a more efficient government than the present resources of the colony would bear, and military to protect them ; — it is not easy, I say, under these circumstances, to persuade men they are oppressed, and to carry on any effectual agitation. Pailiament has sanctioned the principle of representation, and moderate and thinking men are content to wat three or four years to have it introduced, and permanently established in a wellmatured and feasible form. An Obsebveb.