THE RETURNING OFFICER AND MR. GRAHAM.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 159, 3 February 1868, Page 3

THE RETURNING OFFICER AND MR. GRAHAM.

'(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.)

Sib, —Having had an accidental *perusal of this morning's issue of your .journal, and as a matter of course, read the speeches of the Returning 'Officer, successful candidate, and unsuccessful or refused ones, to say that I was astonished, or surprised, would '"but inadequately convey the feeling 'of disappointment I entertained at the expressions made use of by Mr Kynnersley in reference to the nomination >of Mr J. H. Graham.

That such a tactician, as Mr Kynnersley has heretofore usually proved himself to be, should, while fulfilling the important role of [Returning 'Officer for the district, so far forgot himself as—in the person of Mr J. H. 'Graham—to fling a deliberate insult in the teeth and at the 74 electors, who comprise one-half or nearly so of the constituency over which he has the enviable honor to preside, will, in *fcae course of time, and the customary fluctuations of events, have the effect of displacing him irretrievably from the proud position which he now occupies as model Warden and Commissioner, despite the strenuous support of his honest and independent admirers, which will not be worthy the ingenius sophisms of his would-be friends ; the insincere condolement of his present sycophantic panderers, and the congratulations of his enemies—and he has made some •who, now triumphant, will express their joy aloud —to cite a scene from the poem called the " Ode to St Cecilia's Day," by that grand old English poet John J>ryden—Mr Kynnersley will then be in the seme position wherein that great monarch— Darius, King of Prussia—is described : Deserted in his utmost need By those his former bounty fed :

Fallen'! fallen! fallen! From his high estate, And weltering in disfavor.

That Mr Graham may not possess the erudite accomplishments, or, more properly speaking, perhaps attainments, of Mr Kynnersly is possible, nay, probable ; but that may be his misfortune, not fault. He may not have had wealthy parents, who, perhaps, through their own influence have had him entered at a naval school; casually, he may not have been brought up in the neighborhood of a charity school, or one of these exclusive institutions presided over by committees of wealthy English corporations; but that is no reason why a paid servant of a •country, supposed to possess free institutions, should display such a spirit of high-handism, and, Sir, I use a mild expression, tell that same public (his master, mind you) that he only, was surprised at Mr Graham's nomination.

This, Sir, is really carrying things too far. I, for one, can excuse a man ■who, like MrKynnersley, has "rendered such service to the state," for such a display of temerity, or hastiness, perhaps, for once, mark you; but I cannot overlook the fact that, if Government officers are allowed to become political partisans, our boasted system of representative government will degenerate into a beaureaucracy, and instead of electing members of Council, we will be governed by a ukase, or some such Imperial document issued from Nelson or some other place of proclivities, as yet in the womb of time.

I believe, Sir, it is recognised that the English Constitution is not a written one, but one of precedents, which is admitted to be a sufficient reason, for its guardians being so watchful that nothing should be

admitted within its facred precincts which could possibly, in other times, be construed as a dangerous axiom. Now, Mr Editor, if this holds good, as an example in the precepts of a traditional constitution, how much more grateful ought we to be in admitting the force of bad example into the workings of our system, which has been watched from its cradle, and trained with its present efficiency by the authors of its birth, the sponsors at its baptism, and who yet await anxiously and with watchful parents eyes, the advancement of its adolescent state of puberty. In Victoria, a colony foremost, I apprehend, in the developement of representative institutions, it has been found necessary by responsible heads of departments, to cut the attempts of subsidized subordinates, from taking any part whatever in the political squabbles of the outer-world, and from the very fact, that from the very nature of their positions, they must necessarily acquire information, which, if made use of for the behoof of political traders, would place them (the clerks) in the anomalous position of masters or tyrants rather, at the desks where they are really but as servants. You will perhaps say this is not a case in point, neither is it with reference to Mr Kynneisley, but if this dangerous example is allowed to pass without comment, who knows but at the next election we shall have Inspector Franklyn with his posse comitatus mount guard round the hustings, and after recording their own votes, force the clerks of court and treasury, &c, and perhaps poor Erank O'Brien and Governor Maguire, with their respective suites to follow suit, and then, what will be said about the development of responsible institutions.

Again, sir, referring to Victoria, who that has ever heard Dr Preshaw of Cabtlemaine, or Mr Archibald Fiskin of Lai Lai, both political partizans, and neither Government employes, except in their capacities of returning-officers, which in either of their cases is almost an honorarium, who, I say, that has witnessed the conduct of these gentlemen amid the contentions of fiery advocates, cannot but feel shocked at the evid nt want of taste displayed by our pro-consul at the close of the late electioneering tournament in Westport.

It is quite easy to perceive that Mr Graham felt hurt at the implied disparagement, but the febleness of his retort, I might have pardoned, as the attack coming from such a quarter might have disarmed a more practised debater, but that he should compromise his unswerving honesty of purpose, or his unflinching steadfastness of principle, by succumbing so far to fulsome adulation, or descending from the high pinnacle of distinction, to which popular suffrage had raised him as the people's tribune, that, I say he should so far yield to a feeling of mistaken courtesy, as to second the customary vote of thanks, is an offence I cannot possibly conduce.

Yours, Mr Editor, Jlkius Brutus

Caledonian, January 29. [Our correspondent is mistaken in some of his views, and not very clear, but in accordance with our usual custom we give the letter as it stands. — Ed. W. D. T.]