Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1895.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5179, 12 November 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1895.

THE FOUNTAIN OF HONOUR. L\' the nineteenth century, both Monnrehinl mid Republican Institutions have produced brilliant results, the former in Great Britain and the latter in America. It is quite possible to recognise the grand development under Republicanism, in the United States, without being disloyal to the Monarchy of which Englishmen are justly proud. During the Victorian era, tbcro has been a grand muster roll of noble mimes associated: in England, with politics, art and literature. England and the English.have not degenerated, but, throughout the Empire, have added lustre to the great traditions which have been their heritage, The distinctive feature of Monnrchial Institutions, is perhaps tho fact that under them the Sovereign is the fountain of honour, mid honours designated by formal titles are showered upon such subjects as may be deemed worthy of them. A titled : class is created which is occasionally discredited, but whicli on tho whole is a glory to the Empiro. Persons who inherit or acquire titular rank as a rule are oxpected to adopt a'higher standard of .character antlcotidnct than ordinary mortals, and 'ifis undoubtedly the case that .they wo-asimile loyal to.their obligation./:>A nobleman in England wlio disregards this rule, loses, caste, but ono, who like the Marquis of Salisbury is absolutely true to it is a, tower,of strength to his country. Even :iii a remote corner of tho Empiro like this, the existonce of a certain' number of Colonists who have received Knighthood from Her Majesty is distinctly | beneficial. It is only the other day | that Sir Walter Buller appeared in j the Assembly to vindicate his character from an aspersion on the avowed ground that he was proud of j the distinction conferred upon him' by bis Sovereign, and would not' allow a stain to rest upon his title! j Good democrats, too, amongst us,' like the late Sir William Fitzherbertj and the present Sir Robert Stoutandj Sir Patrick Buckley, have been glad to accept rank from the Crown, aiid I we do not hesitate to say that the conferring of such distinctions has been beneficial to them and to the 1 community. Weregretthat Mr Seddon is averse to a knighthood because we believe his standard of character, and conduct would bo raised by the acceptance of such an honor, The fountain of honour in New Zealand is not entirely confined to the Crown, but' in certain -instances it J rests with tho people." Mayors, for j example, owo their high positions ,-tp jfcbe .Votes'of people, aud in

this instance the people .themselves are tho fountain of honour, and it is tvell that they should show that they are worthy of the privilego which they enjoy, In Now Zealand there are two fountains of honor, the Crown and the people, and the happiness, welfare and prosperity of this Colony very much depends upon keeping both these fountains pure. Now and again they are found to mingle as in tho case of the selection of Justices of the Peace, who though nominally appointed by tho representative of the Queon are actually selected by the people and by their representatives. In the twentieth century tho people may have a larger control and the Crown a less one of tho fountain of honour, but if this is to be so, let us hope that the people will prove themselves worthy of such a great responsibility.