TO THE THAMES ELECTORS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4024, 21 November 1881, Page 3

TO THE THAMES ELECTORS.

(Per favour of tfae Evening Star. Gentlemen', —Innocence, even in its crudest simplicity has some advantages orer the most dexterous and practised guilt. Equivocal appearances may, to be sure, accidentally attend it in its way through the world ; but the very scrutiny which these experiences will excite, operates in favour of innocence; which is secure the moment it is discovered. But guilt is a poor helpless dependent being. Without the alliance of able, diligent, end let me add, fortunate fraud, it is inevitably undone. If the guilty culprit be obstinately silent, his silence forms a deadly presumption against him. If he speaks, talking tends to discover him, and his very defence often furnishes materials towards his conviction. This has been exactly the case of that unhappy man (our lawyer candidate) in that defence, and those apologies for his conduct which he has chosen to complicate with bis unprincipled transactions in respect of the Patetere land swindle. Nobody not originally Acquainted with the bottom of the proceedings was able to discern the true nature and full extent of the crime until it had been seen upon what principle he grounded his defence. I never doubted tbat the unfortunate ex-Native oracle and lawyer if left to himself would so.<n ruin himself and his clients. He has now fairly clenched the matter, and if there were no other charge against him than that arising from his unpatriotic doubledealing in thus dissipating the people's estate, that high misdemeanour should alone be amply sufficient to exclude him from the House of Representatives. " A man cannot serve two masters." He cannot be a patriot one dny-> and a\pettifogging lawyer or land shark another. You, gentlemen, want an honest and true patriot to represent your interests in Parliament, a patriot who will sacrifice bis own interest, feeling, and circumstances for the good of his country and constituents, a patriot who will be always a patriot, whether in the House of Assembly, the public marketplace, or the private office.—l am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, The Oxd Colonist. Thames, November 21st, 1881.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—l was greatly amused when reading the leading article on Saturday night last. Surely you must have been in Paddy's market at Melbourne as you show such a beautiful comparison between cheap Jack there, and Seddcn and Speight in Parliament. I see several writing ] against Sheehan, and although I have the I greatest respect for Sir George Grey and Speight, I would like the electors of the Borough of Thames to reflect m& look well into the character of both Sir George and Mr Speight. Sir George professes to be a Liberal, when any man of common sense will admit that he is an Autocrat. No one must know what is right but him." As to Speight, we only need to go to the City East election where he pledged himself to follow Grey through thick and thin. He has shown very bad . taste in not standing again for City East, and disrespect to those who returned him. Should he be returned for'the Thames what guarantee have the electors that he will not treat them in the same manner ? The electors should pause, and not commit themselves. I, as one of the Thames electors, say the true, spirit of a Liberal was shown in James McCosh Clarke, who would not consent to be led by the nose by Sir George Grey, and the remark by Sheehan at the meeting on Saturday night showed that he is a Liberal in reality, in' not allowing Sir George to have all his own way. I glory in such men.—l am, &c.,w A Thorough Liberal.