THE ELECTIONS.

Southland Times, Issue 712, 21 August 1867, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

(TO THB EDIXOB OP THB SODXHIiAin) TIMBS). Amongst the variety \of political changes which -now occupy the-public mind, that which strikes one with the greatest sense of the ludicrous, (were it not so fraught with/danger to the (Province), is the sudden and total change in the political opinions put L forth", By the would-be coming men- of the opposition, or obstructive party. It is only a few weeks since that they and their organ were rampant on the; advisability of roads -as a means of internal communication ; but now in their addresses, published in a broad sheet, ami widely distributed amongst the electors 1 ; in a pharasaical manner they pretend to advocate railways. ' - v* Where is now to be seen their much vaunted honesty? their "righteousness"! "truth"! and "justice"! and what can we think of Mr Lumsden r and his party, who are reduced to such "low acts to entrap the unwary. Mental reservation is apparent in all their statements, and especially the question' of whom they wish to bring forward fo£ the Superintendency. -..-.. r Ar The present members of the Executive are evidently unworthy of any pubHc support ; their sole political capital consists in abuse ; and confessedly unfounded charges brought against the late Govern* ment, but when put to the jest how miserably; have they~failed; to prove-even a single 'charge that they have made. I? : Messrs Ltjmsdem" and ~ Gdeeke ' : 3»v& ! indulged the electors with an evening's address, composed .entirely of this de£j cription of material j but on-MErßiACK-iooz'i replying at his meeting, in a clear and manly refutation, not one of the

opposition appeared to attemp^ to prove their statements, if we] except a single sinister endeavor on „v the part of Mr Mitchell to i get Mr Blacklock to implicate hinjself; but wheH that worthy was pressed to - come forward on the platform to ptate his accusations, he, in the elegant! and. -refined language of Mr T. J M. Clerke^akeddadled. : I „ ,:"When some time since vMrßlacMock by a large majority, defeated Mr Lumsden in the. representation for the town ; :: T&.T Xumßden ; in : addressing the' electors after the close of the. poll, made us|e of such offensive and ; intemperate language towards those persons who had voted for Mr Blacklock, that the assemblage indignantly refused to hear him, and the proceedings were abruptly terminated. [ The undignified conduct and .appbarance even of most of the suppprt'era of the present . Executive tat all the public meetings that tjiey have attended, has evidently been but in . emulation of the character of their leader, Mr Lumsden ; who on most occasions, "has behaved himself in a manner totally at variance with the usual conduct ob-aerved,-even by sweeps and dustmen. - Such men as these are totally unfit to ■' govern a state i 'for ; amongst the rest] of their many deficiences, they are unable to govern themselves. If want of jail political principle and honesty — disregard of all the forms and usages of deliberative assemblages— and an obstinate and riarrowrminded policy ;,opposed to the wishes of the majority of the electors are quali- .. -|Lcations which entitle Messrs Lumsden & "., Co., to be returned to, the high and im- . portant position to which they aspire, 'why, then and then only are they the men for InvercargilL— Elector.