THE ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 949, 23 July 1878, Page 3

THE ELECTION.

Sib, — It is well understood that the natives are to give a block vote m the comiug election. Although not ordered to do so, yet what is being done by the Government ia tantamount to it ; now with the Natives on one hand, and Sir George Grey's Manhood Suffrage on the other, we will be a precious constituency. Much better be disfranchised at once and do away with liberal institutions. Good despotism is better than bad democracy any day. This manhood suffrage is the creation of a few honest deluded theorists, but honest mistaken mortals they are. Theory and practice are two very different things. If they were wiser they would see the immense harm they do, if the Millemium was come then Manhood Suffrage would do but till then or till some great change, slow, gradual and progressive which is sure and not come, till that 'time come Manhood Suffrage is a snare and delusion and an evil to any country which is so unfortunate as to be cursed with it. I have lived m America. Look at that unfortunate country ! No political honor or honesty. The whole atmosphere : socially, morally, religiously, politically rotten. Manhood, sufferage is wholly to blame for this. Every thing good instead of being talked higher had to be talked, wi'itten and preached lower to come down to the understandings of the many. Politics is a trade there, and God help a country when a living has to be made by politics, for man has then deserted it. It is an identical fact, and cannot be disputed, that an honourable, truthfull, straightforward man, cannot and will not be a politician m America. This country is driving fast m the same misfortune. The honorarium of £300 is a curse to us, a greater curse than if the Russians were to bombard evtry city we have. We m time would get over that, but we will never get over the evils of this £300. I had intended m the coming election to vote for neither candidate, but as it has now become a political contest, on the one side conservative law, order, straighforwardness, honour and political honesty • — on the other side, democracy, want of political honesty, trickery and dodgery, I shall Vot3 for the most conservative man of the two, although not conservative half enough for nn ; the franchise should »o back instead of forward. — I am &c, .Robert Neil. Harapepe, 10th July, 1878.