The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1866.

Southland Times, Issue 556, 7 September 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1866.

That public opinion and political activity are essentials to progress in all countries is a truism which none can gainsay. It has long been a matter for reproach tbat Southland bad no public spirit, but we think tb t tbe meeting held at the Theatre Eoyal on Tuesday last must bave dispelled the delusion; it served to prove tbat although political life has for a period waned and flickered it has not expired — that there are still tbe elements of activity existing. The large number who were present, tbe interest tbat was evinced, and the absence of " stump declamation" was highly satisfactory, although there were blurs and patches, which all right-thinking men must regret. There can be no question tbat but few of the speakers realized tbe position in which the Provincial Grovernment is placed — the difficulties it has to contend witb in being compelled to submit every transaction to tbe G-eneral Oovernmentfor approval— and that some were seeking to make political capital at their neighbor's expense, still it served to bring out much information tbat should have long since been given to the public, and which, bad it been previously given, would have destroyed tbe effect of tbe " man in the street" reports tbat bave been of late so freely circulated, detrimental to both tbe Grovernment and private individuals. We think it has rent tbe cloud of suspicion, and done much in welding tbe energies of all parties into one body, and creating a desire to unite for one object— the true progress of tbe Province. But while granting that we cannot exonerate some of the speakers for the reckless and flippant statements to which tbey gave utterance, nor •entirely acquit the Grovernment of blame — not tbe class of blame which some would desire to cast upon it — but the blame arising from a misconception of ministerial responsibilities as regards tbe people, it would be folly to advance that any Government should be expected to advise the public monthly as to their policy or doings. It is necessary and constitutional that in matters of great importance there should be a frank and reciprocal interchange of views — that tbe Grovernment should avoid silence, m order not to give tbe people ground for cherishing suspicion and discontent. It is certain tbat tbe G-overnment bas maintained a misjudged silence, and it is equally certain that such silence Jias been misconstrued, and given birth to much bitterness and misrepresentation tbat should never bave been indulged in. The meeting, if rightly studied, is calculated to do much good. It wfll serve to prove to the members of tbe Grovernment, present or future, that the best policy is to make confidants of tbeir constituents, and show to the people what calibre those who seek to become their leaders possess. It bas evoked a public spirit which, it is to be hoped, will display its power on colomal, as well as Provincial, politic?. Having expressed a strong feeling in faTorof public gatherings and governmental frankness, yet we cannot but deprecate the tone and bearing r of some of tbe speakers at the meeting. Our remarks will be more immediately directed to the learned gentleman who may be legitimately termed tbe " selfelected leader " of tbe assemblage. This gentleman's speech was a unique specimen of blended garrulity and egotism. Mr Haevey opened tbe ball witb tbe gravity of a Mormon prophet, and with tbe wbip-in-hand attitude of a Dillon Bell. Having meekly made his bow to the audience, with solemn wbispering be deprecated all personalities being indulged in by tbe speakers during tbe discussion, censured all and every one for their apathy in the past, and acknowledged that be was. tbe greatest sinner of all— tbe naughtiest boy in tbe school. But in sackcloth he meditated, ancl bis repentance was sincere. The lust of filthy lucre had led him to neglect public responsibilities which the patriotic instinct of his ancestors had ever cherished, and Avhich had firmly taken root in his manly bosom: But with sublime obliviousness, and forgetting tbe righteous admonition to abstain from all personalities, he, with a Mrs. CAHPLE-like alafcrity, reversed tbe order of his sayings. He accused Mr Blacklock of being the Government pure et simple, altogether ignoring tbe existence of his Honor the Superintendent, and paying a very left-banded compliment to the understanding of the other members of the Executive. Then he cast blame on the G-overnment for tbe 'difficulties that existed between it and Dalgety, Eattkay & Co., as to compensation, when he must bave well known that the present Executive bad nothing to do witb it— that it was an uncoveted legacy left them through tbe inadvertance of one of tbe members of a former administration, by which a loophole was left for Messrs. Dalgety Eatteay <£ Co., to make the claim for compensation. Mr. Habyey knew, perhaps, as well as any one, that the present Government, especially Mr Blacklock, the only gentleman whose name had been brought forward, had nothing whatever to do with j it, and that if it had not been for his fore- \ sight, the claims for compensation arising from past errors would have been multiplied tenfold. IndeedMrHASTEY's speech studiously read must be pronounced a provincial curiosity,— it had a variety 'of ingredients which are seldom found;*-* there was self - laudation, inconsistent reasoning, and aa assumed gravity which, • appeared ludioroupj It was in faot, M l l em tha gss&fc Sir Qmfy *to I «P«rt I

let ro dog bark ; in me you behold education, position and intellect." But we have a distinct recollection that tbis Solon in disguise, once before attempted to assume th» character of "th© coming man," and what waa tbe result? He went up like a rocket, anfl came down like a stick. He must indeed, bave persistently "bid bis light under a bushel," during tbe last few years, in his endeavor to line his purse, if he can now assume a leadership in politics, and constitute himself tbe censor of the Press. "We also recollect that after a very short trial at legislation, this gentleman beat anything but a dignified retreat from public life, and there is no record that we can find of bis ever having enunciated a J single political principle, or in the slightest I degree being the means of advancing tbe prosperity of the province in offering advice as to the conduct of public affairs. It is true, indeed, that he did once make a long oration in tbe Provincial Council, and poised his lance to pierce Dr Menzies in tbe most vital part ; but he failed, and was sadly wounded in tbe encounter. Mr Habyey may imagine himself a very great man — be may assume to be a political leader — a kind of ivory idol, concealing clay feet, but it will require a long political apprenticeship and modest bearing before he will obtain a higher position than that of a political windbag, easily pricked. Too much prominence is perhaps given to, one gentleman, but it is certain that he had nine-tenths of the talk to himself. The other speakers, for the most part, delivered themselves with earnestness and moderation. One gentleman certainly showed bad taste in alluding to private transactions upon hearsay evidence, still it did no harm — it gave Mr Smyth tbe opportunity of speaking in refutation of tbe insinuations that had been made, which he did in an open and straightforward manner. Again, we repeat that tbe meeting was large, earnest, orderly and hopeful ; and the public are indebted to tbe early promoters for tbe information elicited. We could have wished that it had taken a more general character, and that the question of the • G-eneral Government's intentions to limit the powers and privileges of the Provinces had been discussed, but we bave hope that the public spirit tbat bas been evoked will be directed to all reforms necessary, , and tbat political activity may increase.