The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 219, 14 April 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1868.

It is difficult to write with anything like calmness upon the subject of Penianism. Whatever dignity the subject may receive in Ireland, it cannot be brought in question here, where the interests of all classes are identical, and where justice without respect to persons is meted out to all. In our report of the riot at Addison's, in our issue of the 4th inst., we endeavored to lay fully and impartially before our readers, the exact state of things as they were, when our issue went to press. Subsequent disclosures rather added to the bad state of things then existent, and although we spoke in no measured terms of the miscreant faction who provoked the riot, our remarks were called for, and were no stronger than the circumstances of the case demanded. There is no disguising the fact, that a reign of terror has existed on Addison's since, and only those men who either pandered to the faction, or who by sympathy were bound up in its workings, have been able to obtain respect from the people there. Since the actual riot has taken place, various meetings have been convened, and various resolutions have been passed, and the Celt published on Saturday, gives embodyment to the feelings displayed by the Fenian Paction ; their view of the case is of course taken from a totally different stand-point to our own, and is many degrees removed from the truth. At the present time, he that is not with us is against us, and we had h oped to have seen less sympathy shown towards a disordered mob of ruffians, than has been shown not only by our leaders, but by many persons of positi on in our midst. To-day will show what amount of protection the constituted authority of the British Crown will deceive from its representative here, and unless the gen-

tleineu in question, Mr Kyimersley, speaks more strongly on the side of law and order, and sides less with these law breakers, it becomes tho duty of the press, not only here, but throughout new Zealand, to express its opinion on the acts and deeds of one who from his position as a British naval officer, as well as Commissioner of the Nelson South-West Gold-fields, is pre-eminently bound to support the honor of the British Flag. We have received various reports of the speeches made by Mr Kynnersley at Addison's Plat, and in our own hearing he stigmatised tho conduct of the fleeing loyalists as " cowardly," in fact ho said " they had run like the devil," Far be it from us to impugn the courage of a naval officer, but it is not the first time, r»or may it be the last, that Englishmen have fled from overwhelming forces. Popularity is a great thing with some people, but we tell the Commissioner, or any other man, that he that tries to " sit upon two stools will assuredly fall to the ground." Either we as loyal citizens are entitled to protection, and to justice against evil-doers, or we are not, and although it may be a fine thing to gain the sympathy of the " fine body of men " who constitute the Addison's flat mob, it will in the long run be far more to everyone's credit, if at a time like this, when Eenianism is only entitled to public execration throughout the civilised world, our rulers side in a decided manner against any men, or body of men, who in any way are connected, or who sympathise with the present disaffected faction, even in the smallest degree.