The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 263, 25 May 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1880.

Some of rlie more unreasonable oppo- •! ■: ts J Liberalism have been eifeu--1 uing a report that Sir George Grey is' he > upon turning New Zealand into a Republic This is simply dime for the purpose of making mischief, and if possibl e in d-sh'oy Sir George's popularity. To the more s iidiori ■ and belter read this wiM appear, as ic is in fact, a mere ruse. Well informed men are quite aware that in the American States where JElepuh ic mism has b en in existence for a whole century as the form of goveruoent, it has not been an unqualified success. Just now, when this absurd cry is tried to be raised, (he CJni ed States of America are considering t! o advisability of establishing a limited 'monarchy. In France it will be readily admitted it is still a success, much more so than the most s- ngnine Liberals in any country out of France itself could have expected Few, however, believe that France will remain permanently under repiiobc-m rule. H id the late young Napoleon been sparer 1 , | ossibly by ti is time he would have laid the basis for a return to Imperialism, and should any likely too' hearing the name of Napoleon, who h s pluck and nerve, come to the fiout the chances are th-t he would be able to c myall before him and again establish a scion of the first great a liqneror on the throne, Tire French are it change, volatile poopl*. everything in turn, but nothing long. Jealousy is the great enemy of Republicanism. In France a generous populace who laid suffered so much through despotism lad d termined to do aw y with kingcraft and elect one of tin m-wives President. The choice has hitherto been a most popular one, but let an elected President (urn out to be different from what he h d inlherto been, as often happens witli those wi o are unexpectedly exalted to place and honor, and the cry would soon again he, “ Vivo I’Empetuer !” In the - United States, which are thirty, i seven in number, taking small and large States together, there is anything but a stile of unity i‘ keeping with the name The chief cans • of tni.s is dissatisfaction with au elected President. It is not so much the President, however, as the sur roimdii gs There are over 80,000 civil servants in the State*-, all subject to the Pnsideut, and at his bidding at any moment for ifuy job that he may choose to call upon lb- m to assist him in. This power of the President is grp it, and brought, about in a way that may not be generally known. It is this On tne conclusion of the term of office, or resignation or dismissal of a President, all th se civil servants have to resign. It will, therefore, be seen at a glance that the nsigning President has great power over these servants of the State, and they have also great weight in the election of a chi f. This system w.j would not like to see carried out in New Zealand, and w« feel sure that Sir George Grey, who knows tlior- ughb' the Workings of the Republic in America, and is aware of qhis inconvenient command of patronage,,, vould not fm a moment do anything to' b ing about a change of this sort. There are two political parlies in the States—the Democrats and the Republi ans. The former are in favour of an eiec'ed Presisideut, and the latter are in favor of a limbed r anarchy Just, now the whole country is in a ferment regarding the subject. With the Republicans may be c a-*sed the Undo* racy and the monied classes. It_is the history of human nature being ena ted once more. Men suddenly find themselves rich, lor a time they are dazzled with the glitter, and seem happy and contented like a • ewly married couple who count upon each as the other’s idol, but by-and-bye begin to seek for new charms, and as is natural grow tired of the old pleasures. So with the Yankees. Riches grow stale, and they look for new charms. Riches without honor, they say, is nothing. Plain Mr So-and-Su does not sound well when they go to Franco or England. They must have some high-sounding title. They are aware they cannot be all Presidents, and beneath that they have no foothold. Hence the cry for a king, which brings in its wake dukes,, marquises, lords, and baronets. Those who read American telegrams or news will have become aware of the truth of the statements that we have just made. General Grant is the favourite of the class that we have just described His travels in Britain and on tbe Continent of Europe will have given him a taste for monarchy, and being most popular, and this new doctrine being also popular, it is no*, unlikely that a great si niggle- will take place before long for a king. The Democrats are numerous, but not powerful. They are, moreover, scattered, and fciio power they possess in connection with the election of the higher grades of offi ers limit their influence. It is not, therefore, unlikely that General Grant may be elected first King of America. Much as we love liberty and the freedom of the subject we are not in favor of a change to Republic mism. The British monarchial establishments are expensive greater perhaps than they should be ; but wc prefer the nobility of rank with their great wealth to a demo- j '“-'-atic rule by a half-educated, half-starved

clamorous crowd. If Sir George Grey is in favor of a Republic,wc cannot .join issue with him, but wo believe fie is not in favor of one. Tyranny has made Democrats ; despotism oh the part of Continental . kings and emperors has done much to make the people their e .eihies, and cause them to detest kingly rule > but a limited monarchy such as Britain lives under gives all the honor and glory, without the unlimited power to persecute. It is a good feature in the British Constitution that the Queen can save life, but she has not the power to take away llt’6 Such is hot the case with most of the Conti ental rulers

Our dukes and lords are r s a rule men of high mind and charartcr. To he the r servant is often bet er than tube the companio i of the highest potentate of an Eastern country, where lasciviousness and oppression prevails. I'll l- British Colonies will never wax cold in their love for the pare,ht stock. Good Qneei Victoria reigns in the hearts of her people all ove" the world. No charmer will ever be able to beguile them from their allegiance to their Queen. It may be true that the expenses ( f her estahl shments are great, but then sire is uot rich, nor does she care for riches A good salary is paid her, but she does not hoard it up like some monarchs, who save till they are enormously rich. It is to he hoped our colonial squabbles will never lake the turn that Sir GeorgeGrry’s enemies impute to him in the.r scuiTiluus remarks upon his sayings and doings. Tncre is room lor u reduction of the Governor’s salary, as well as the salaries of other high officials. The present Governor, however, is not like some of our former Governors, who came here to save money to send Home to pay their debts. There was some ground fur the Wcllingtonians grumbling at the late Governor 1 -- parsimony ; but we do not think that bn Hercules Rubinsuu is impecunious like some of his predecessors. But we think that, m these times of oppression, he ought to permit a reduction of his income as well as others.