YOUNG SPARTANS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5515, 29 November 1878, Page 3

YOUNG SPARTANS.

(From the New Zealand Tablet.) The Native Minister has decided that we are to become a nation of warriors ! Matters are progressing rapidly ; the development of secularism proceeds apace, and Sparta has been acknowledged our model. It is evident that tho ancient spirit of a country abides on its plains and mountains whoever be its inhabitants. It is not in Ireland, only that foreigners are fated to become assimilated to the native race; such a decree has been pronounced concerning all settlers in strange countries, and contrary to tho dictum of the old motto, “ccelum non animum mutant qui transmare currant" it is proved that the whole inner man who emigrates is changed. See, for example, how the warrior spirit begins to assert its influence over the European race in this land, where a few years ago carnage continuously went on amongst the aborigines. The old spirit still evinces its divinity, and it has by the mouth of a worthy prophet, the Hon. Minister alluded to, proclaimed that it is about to exten'd its empire over tho settlers in this its ancient tfealml _ Eat this idea of preparing the rising generation for a warlike future, by which the traditions of the moribund race will become united with the fame of that about to wax mighty, has not originated with the Hon. Mr. Sheehan ; it has been long floating in tho air, as we know ideas are wont to float, and ho is only tho genius who has seized upm it, made it bis own, and communicated it to bis fellowcoloniste for their undying benefit. Already this long time we have observed amongst our boys a certain bearing that wo were not sufficiently gifted to understand ; but we now perceive that it was the swagger of the future warrior putting in its claim for development. Meantime it is decidedly unfortunate that “ Spartan mothers” bo obtained ; we must manage to put up with the poor limp things that have been imported hero until this generation has passed away, but by that time there will have been ‘[raised” to replace them a! breed of women, each one of whom will bb able and anxious at all times to “ whop her own weight in tigers,” Sparta, then, is our model, and we have already made some progress In copying it; we have even, if we mistake not, elevated into prominence a Helot or two, for those to take warning by who would preserve the honesty and honor of their fathers, '