THE AUSTRALIAN PRIVY COUNSELLOR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1543, 10 August 1886, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN PRIVY COUNSELLOR.

No sensible person (says the Melbourne Argus) can grudge Mr Dailey the reward 'which the Queen has thought fit to confer u him. It cannot be denied that, in the eves of his Sovereign and of the English public, he is the most eminent man in n.ese celonies, and not without reason. Him opportunity offered, and he had the quickness and pluck to grasp it. While ifier men considered he acted. And however much critics may differ with him in the wisdom of the course of action he a l opted, it is undoubted that it led to moat extraordinary results. Nothing in our time has done so much towards awakening s national sentiment in these colonies. Bat putting aside his connection with t the Soudan, he has shown himself a’ man’ of extraordinary power. His eloquence is remarkable ; among bis ndmirers he is known—somewhat grot *squely, perhaps—as tba Demesthenes of New South Wales. Without being “ a master of the flouts and jibes,” he has a leady turn for soothing and mellifluous eloquence. What is more, he understands meo. Such is the man whom England delights to honor, and in honoring him she has paid a high compliment‘to Australia. Of all the favors that the hand of Royalty can bestow, this is the one which must be grateful to a democratic commuuity. It is not offensive to the instincts of equality. The minor titles are rather at a discount, and it is perhaps fortunate that they are. There is, however, nothing meretricious, nothing false, about what Coke has called “ the noble, honorable, and reverend assembly of the King.” Membership of this assembly is perfectly consistent with an austere and rigid practice of democracy. It was a h*ppy inspiration which transformed the originator of the Soudan Expedition into the Right Honorable W. B. Dailey.