The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 456, 6 September 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1879.

The election, which has, of late, almost supercceded the weather as a topic of conversation, is at length a matter of history. We cannot say that the result, as far as it is known, has-in any way surprised us. We did not share in the sanguine opinions and hopes that were entertained by either side. hYe saw that the contest would be closer than many thought, but not so close as many hoped. We knew there was fire on both sides, but we did not measure the fire by the smoke. For a now man, we are bound to say, the local candidate has made a very respectable stand. We must say that Mr Sherwood is indebted, for the creditable place he gained in the poll, almost solely to himself. He has stood upon his own legs, he has been the chief Sherwooclite. Knowing that he would have to fight his own battles, and would not be carried to victory by influence other than bis own, he began a patient canvass. In that canvass, even we, the enemy whom lie honored with a thrust on Thursday* night, admit he has displayed energy, perseverance, courage, ane fertility of resource that directed in some less ambitious course would effectually remove the chief obstacle that lies in the aspiring path he seeks. There have been a few things that we regret in the contest that has just ended. Of course there always are a few discordant notes sounded when the multitude got excited. It is a peculiar fact that men allow themselves to he carried further in a matter that does not conscrn them five shillings, than they would in a commercial matter in which half their possessions were at stake. But while this peculiar fact remains we must expect that there will be hot blood, hot words and u groat dispositions to fight” at every election. What is most to be regretted, from the beginning to the end of the struggle, is the personal character of the Inst meeting, and of the minors that proV.L.U 41., obov™, WR™ Pi-wil, mmnTO are once started they have a remarkable vitality and power of spreading. “ None can be the first to tell an evil tale.” But when the rumor is connected with a candidate for a seat in the Houco of Representatives it outstrips all other rumors. That the candidate’s opponents should help the rumor most is very natural, or, if any one wishes to distinguish between nature and human nature, let us say, it is very human natural. It is equally natural, or human natural on the part of the candidate to boil over with righteous indignation. So far so natural; but the mystery lies further back. We cannot attempt to apportion blame in the matter until the origin and ground of the rumor is explained.Together with his other enemies Mr Sherwood gave us a turn. Here again it is quite like human nature to be bitter, and quite like Mr Sherwood to be most witheringly and annihilatingly sarcastic ; wo felt ourselves shriveling up, and smelt scorched paper. After the meeting we went straight to onr office and examined a file of our recent issues, fully expecting to find them badly scorched, but found that all was right. We deeply regret that we lost our chance of becoming a respectable’journal by not supporting Mr Sherwood. We were not aware at the time we made our choice that Mr S. was the fountain head of honor, and that we could only do ourselves credit by supporting him. We were under the delusion that, having supported the Opposition in Parliament, we could not consistently support on the hustings a man who is opposed to the Opposition. The doctrine of divines will, however, be fully bom out in this instance, the good derived from the election will far outweigh the evil. Many people have been made to think and enquire about the business of the country, who are not accustomed to that exerciso. The foundation of that essential of good Government, a healthy public opinion, has been laid. We cannot say that we are sorry that something like party feeling has shown itself. It will not be until the public thoroughly understand the difference of parties, and watch carefully the sayings and doings of the leaders of parties, that they will rise above petty local considerations and vote for a policy, or on the great questions upon which the electors are appealed to as to the highest and final tribunal. Not least among the benefits arising from the contest will be the increased weight of the electors. No member can trifle with a constituency where he knows a strong opposition is watching to catch him tripping. The numerous meetings that wereheld, and the numerous votes of confidence that were passed, called for a passing notice. The meeting, especially t he last, cannot be said to afford very strong support to the cause of manhood suffrage. The many headed monster Demos evi-

ilofUly possesses all his old characteristics still. Whether the dignity of being an elector sobers men down, or whether the boisterous never rise to that dignity we cannot tel! ; but certain it is that the noise has proceeded chiefly from those who are not on the roll. Under •these circumstances votes of confidence are apt to be misleading. Electors do not Caro to make themselves the objects of a storm of abuse from the many headed monster that always agrees with the last speaker, when they can show their private con fictions in a far quietor, sutcr, and more practical manner by means of the ballot.

In conclusion, we have to hope that whatever personal feelings may have been raised during the weeks that the election has been pending will subside now that it is settled. Let each side think of the future, and prepare for another and a greater contest by and by. Bat in the mean time it would he a pity to chew over and over the cud of bitterness, thus interrupting the rcigu‘of peace and amity in our midst.