New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 25, 1851.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 572, 25 January 1851, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 25, 1851.

Next week “ the gentlemen styling themselves a Constitutional Association,” (if they perforin their mean to afford their friends and followers the diversion of what they call a public meeting, got up by them under the pretence of discussing questions

connected with the future government of the colonv, but really intended to make amends for the disappointment occasioned by the omission of the usual rural sports, and other amusements which did not take place on the anniversary of the settlement just passed, and intended as a substitute for them. No special novelty is expected, the same performers will attend, the same string of common places will be uttered, the usual laudation of themselves, of the purity of their motives and consistency of their conduct ; what they have done, and the still greater wonders they mean to do whenever thevhave the opportunity, the effect produced bv their agitation, as evidenced by the answers received to their memorials and resolutions, all these topics are to be put forward in the liveliest colours and seasoned with the usual abuse of the Governor, Government officers, and all constituted authority ; proving abundantly to their own satisfaction, however others may fail to be convinced, that nothing can possibly go right, until they are installed in office, and enjoy those salaries which their ardent imaginations present to their minds as substantial realities, but which like the visions of Tantalus elude their grasp and vanish at their approach. The foregoing brief outline may serve as a faithful description of their proceedings if they really do meet, since one meeting is but a repetition of the previous one, the same farce badly played over by the same indifferent players. However their credulous dupes may be swayed by their misrepresentations and mis-statements, no one else will be deceived, since their figments are now worn somewhat threadbare from constant use and repeated exposures. But why do they not publish the answer they have received to their famous resolutions ? Is that too, which ought to be circulated for public information, like Mr. Fox’s attempt to confirm to his friends the compensation jobs which, in spite of his Hannibal oath against Nomineeism in any shape, he would gladly have legalised by a Nominee Ordinance, —is that too, we repeat, a profound state secret; —a private and confidential communication between the Secretary for the Colonies and “ the gentlemen styling themselves a Constitutional Association,” not to be revealed to the profane vulgar ? As so strict a silence is maintained by those who would gladly speak out if they dare, if there was the slightest chance of contradicting WP afafor! Rir ni'tliliQlGrtrv T m-rl Grey’s answer, we must in this case interpret their silence into an acknowledgement of our correctness, which renders it unnecessary (on their part) for them to say anything. Anu yet, in spite of the snubbing they have received, in spite of these unequivocal proofs of their utter insignificance they continue their agitation and affect to promise great things “in the name of the people,” just as pickpockets turns pockets inside out although they know them to be empty—because it is their vocation.