THE NEW EVANGEL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2498, 14 July 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW EVANGEL.

[Extract from tlie Now Zealand Herald, Tuesday, 3rd July, 1888.] 1.-INTRODUCTION. " False ideas may achieve a more or less extended, a more or less durable success— thoy can never extirpate their Godlik". assailants. Truth is patient—it doas nut easily surrender its hold on Bociety—it never abandons its purpose—it sven exercises some sway over that region whore error reigns most despotically."—GuiZOT, Representative Government, LSS2 Ed., p.

Believivc;, as I do— 1. That tho Parliament is chaos ;

2. That Parliament unfortunately speaks what the mind of the people is— nnt what it should be, and therefore must be chaos; 3. That Domos is too selfish, busy, and worriod to philosophise, and that those who philosophise care not to busy and worry themielves about ungrateful

Demos; -t. Thai, thorefore, specious demagogues play upon the moiiloiuiicre tendency ot the bourgeoisie, who have, I fear, "an instinctive antipathy for calm and moderate men, for men who shun extremes, and who render reasons; "

5. That the theory that vox vopuli is vox- Dei is nothing bnt a foolish fiction ; that the voice of the people may be the voice of power, but is certainly not of wisdom ; that the role of Samson, as a temple-pillar breaker, is being ruinously re-enacted, involving all in tho crash ; and, 6. That, consequently, Government here is a disastrous farce, with the near prospect of its becoming a dreadful fiasco, if there be not soon a radical return of regime. I say, believing all this, I again take up my pen to preach—as my leisure from timo to time will allow— A New Gospel—the only gospel in which political salvation for us can bo found—a gospel in which Freetrade and Protection, borrowing and increased taxation, have no place. But in which no borrowing, a sweeping reduction of taxation, the development of agricultural and mineral resources, and a radical reform of tho Constitution and of our institutions, — stand prominent. Given A New Gospel, and a rigid determination on the part of electors that it bo carried out, a Saviour will arise. But electors must indeed be idiots if they think that their present representatives (with rare exceptions) knowhowto, or will, restore prosperity to the colony. For I fear that a prevailing under-current idea that they (with rare exceptions) are ignorant and contemptible — has too much _ truth in it—ignorant, because th ß y evidently have no first-principle knowledge, or grasp, of what constitutes national happiness or misery, but deal only in an ad raptmuliim manner wit!) measures as they arise;— contemptible, because instead of doing what'they know to be right and best in the interests of the colony, their sole efforts are to toady to the public opinion of the hour—public opinion, alas ! here the most fickle guide, the most tcacherous friend, the most incompetent Mentor, now so utterly astray that it, above all other things, presents the most pressing dangers of public disaster. Tt is not only true that " large bodies are more likely to err than individuals ;" but there is one fact that stands prominently forth—our utter incompetence to govern ourselves, as shown in ignorance of, or ignoring, the first principles of political economy (i.e., ignorance of or ignoring what promotes national happiness and misery), and in falseness to the backbone. Indeed, the real remedy for the present situation is a competent dictator; but, as I fear, there is no chance of instilling common sense to that extent, I do not pursue the subject. Let me, however, record my conviction that the Ministry, whilst weak in respect of two or three of its members, is as strong a combination as cm be formed from the present Houses; although I venture to predict its near downfall (and reconstruction) from want of internal sympathetic accord. Therefore, my remarks must not be construed as pointed at tho Ministry. For the Cabinet but echoes the House, and the House the foolish colony. Moreover, we must not necessarily expect wisdom from-any Government; beoause " Government, as government, can bring nothing but the influence of hopes and fears to support its doctrines. It carries on controversy, not with reasons, but with threats and bribes. If it employs reasons, it does so not in virtue of any power which belongs to it as a government."

Alas! how truly it has been said that the English-speaking peoples consist mostly of fools; and how wisely the greatest of living litterateurs—Russell Lowell—spoke recently in his noble address on "Independent in Politics," that " tho chief duty of a nation is to produne great men, for without them its history is but tho annals of ants and of bees."

" Of course, I am aware that mine will but b6 considered as "the voice" (and probably a very foolish voiee) "of one crying in the wilderness ;" and that, even if doubt be aroused by the cry, " there is uufortunately a long twilight between the time, when a god. is first suspected to be an idol, and his final overthrow." But, nevertheless, as I feel that " THE NEW EVANGEL" jiust sooner or later be preached, and that it w true; and as I know that truth must eventually prevail— I propose, as my leisure from time to time permits, to promulgate— A Neiu Gospel. And in order, first, to get rid of a formidable side-issue, my first article will be to evidence— That. Parliamentary Frcetmde-Trolcethn icramjling here is the wildest nonsense. R. Laikhlky, L.L.D.j&c.