BOHEMIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2379, 8 October 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOHEMIA.

i; Vi ,i,i /. at l; tin i n/- ■• ; i ' ■/. //,/ /« ,11,KV/:' /•• ’ / oa.Mwsu/w.pWV; A- -■I r* of ~,fr li, it it,,., oil"' Mi;\i-iiR MKA-rttK. I •, -I f diu r paper, win n giving a pus-ibli-Ji rn a.-t of tliv elections, 1 expressed a (r.ir I I :,t, I’p.mi till' Humility of inferior mm. ii d pi wd 1). I■ i:a• lb ' comity fur m h:rli"ii, lie-re Id hj" a still further dm' :!■ o iticii in lb jMi-itinn of cur 1;:;! i- n 1 1 r Ulirli-, 111 ill it CO.' 1 1 !'l' I* U'lll 1-I I l,i'il., tli it ill tin ■;!'.• 11l f « ell urga iiiscd panics, contusion would succeed the shullluig of tic' political cards, imperilling the ere nidi of a .-table Government and placing lie country in danger of another dis-olution, in order that another appeal la- load." to the constituencies on thoroughly defined party lines. Those were the rucks that, at ihu time, loomed alcad, threatening to make shipwreck of the hopes of those whoso sincerest prayers were for the salvation of the ship of state, thru labouring, tempest tossed, in a troubled sea, under ineapable command. The elections, however, have been fought and ended, leaving the victors in full possession of the field. When the results came to bo analysed, I confess to a feeling of very agreeable disappointment, A number of new men have been returned possessing education and talents far above modiociity. Their knowledge of the world, for few if any of tbom have been confined all tin ir lives within the narrow limits of a remote colony, the tiro of their youth and spirit of selfreliance and independence, all tend to inspire us with I lie hope that a new departure in onr political bearings is at hand, pointing to a loftier and more patriotic standard. The large proportion of new members, in many instances supplanting well known vet'-rans, is an indication of the. Will of tile i’eople ; that is to say, thn nation has gathered up its limbs and shaken it-elf free of the dead weight of the Vngelian phantasmagoria, together with the vapourous indoctrination of Stout and Ballance, If for no other reason than that they have been thn means of purging the body politic of its long-tor-inenting malady, wo may after all forgive the late Government for putting ns to the expense of a general election, and feel thankful that out of ovil much good has ensiled.

There has been a comical side to the ('lections which, whilst affording amusement to tile well-informed, lias also a claim to one’s pity. It was an edifying spectacle to sec the amount of vanity and vexation of spirit which filled the souls of the defeated candidates, particularly those who had ranged themselves under tlie Ministerial standard, and wen; home down in its general humiliation. No better means than a general election exist, perhaps, that testify to the truth of that trite old philosopher who averred that the world was composed for the most part of foots. M.ujljuou suffrage cirri'.s with it Midi pii vileges and freedom of action and thought, that tiie most ignorant, unediieated lout will fondly imagine himself a horn legislator, and forthwith announces to Ids fellows that lie is “goin’ to PaiTmont,” and forthwith enters upon an election campaign, deluded into the belief that he is the San Salvadore of Ids country. It is a very difficult matter to convince such blunderers that there are high honours in the State that must lie filled only by the most eminent and eapablu into llocts, and that to entrust the administration of national affairs into the hands of unediieated and ignorant men would he to create the greatest danger to tlie public safety, as well as lower the standard ot intelligence and morality in every phase of the. life and condition of the country. The people, however, are, at large, far too discerning when fully awakened to the necessities of the common weal to entrust their destinies to corrupt and incompetent caretakers. We have during the past few years had before our eyes the extremity to which political misfeasance has led us ; and now we sec the wise discernment of the people in easting the incubus from their shoulders.

Many of the defeated and disappointed ones, in the anguish of blighted ambition, indulged in tirades against the Press. There are nincompoops who failed to see that they were only food for ridicule, and, like all shallow pates, were very positive of their supposed transcendental abilities. These were quite convinced the electors would accept them with open arms, and felt the fires of a mighty wrath kindle into (lames within their breasts because the Press either took no notice of them, or treated them as hardly worthy of thought and trouble. Now, it is very foolhardy of such persons to abuse tlie Press ; hut is it not true that ‘‘fools venture where angels fear to tread” They forge!, or have not intelligence enough to know, that the Press can crush any man out of existence if it desires to do so. Journalists know their business, and feeling that the responsibilities of their profession are very onerous and of an exalted order, to lie directed as a power for the good of the whole community, will not tolerate any attempts from foolish nonentities to dictate to them « hat tin y should do or not do. Tile people love and honor an independent and spirited Press, which is fearless in the exercise of its great functions as the watch-dog of their liberties.

The Waitoa goldl'mlds! Whiit a world of meaning cui In.' /mind iu that name I Looking into futurity, what visions of wealth, prosperity and eonteiitment aro vailed up before one's excited imaginatiou ! Toiling and teeming thousands vetting and gashing the earth, diving into its recesses, deforming the lave of Nature, and throwing up the soil, with busy hands gathering the golden sands that have lain hidden away, till in the good time of a benelieie'it Creator, it was made known to a favoured people ! 'I housands of adventurous spirits from all parts of our Kmpire, men with wives and little ones no longer pinehed-visaged and crying for work and brunl, pe'.ue and industry smiling on every side, where are e, on for table houses, noble villas and nourishing farms ! lon ns Idled with I lie hum of oi forges, batteries, and trade, with a fair and magnificent city sitting by the semes of the oeean, grown into noble proportions and exult ug in her great wealth and tree eo; i;nerve with all nations ! Sue!, are th , promises of |g,,. Wai'n.i, pruvidml tin' people are made the inliri iiois ot the land there. There aw; tea thon.-and m m on the ram. diggings eki mg out a bare subsistence, woo v. oul 1 be on the \\ alloa in a month. I'ivery morning fully one hundred and tiltv men go over from Auckland to ftirlceiilie.id to dig gum, j u order, as Miints of them told me, to save themselves ami families from starvation. What a divine gift would the Waitoa be to them ! Observe alar how lids year of Her O'racious Majesty's .iubilee has been notable in blessings also to her people, for we have ricn gold discoveries in Australia, New Zealand, and .South Alriea. amongst other good signs of improved elasticity iu commerce, trade, .-nan'ifaet'.nes, &c. Taiienco, my friends, I't our hearts he, filled witli faith and hope. There is a good time coming. FnaN'c-Tiuia'i;.