The Aelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 89, 18 June 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1866.

The battle of the schools seems destined to occupy a distinguished place in Nelson annals. Like the battle of the books in European literary his tory, it, will lead to fields being alternately lost and avoh by the fierce belligerents Avho have engaged, in the important quart-el. This storm in a teapot lias quite unsettled tiie nerves and revolutionised ' the ideas of our venerable contemporary, avlio deems it his province to redress all Avrongs and mitigate all human Avoes. Nothing less cosily than an amendment in the Education Act, to prevent voting by a show of (hands, Avill prevent the place being turned topsy turvy, and the election to tlie Education Committee of men of the Avrong stamp, that is, mea Avho Avill not do as the Nelson Examiner bids them. This drowsy old sentinel admits that he slumbered at his post, and gave the householders no notice of the election meeting. He might have added that, he avus too sleepy or idle to give a report of its proceedings. Notwithstanding this breach of duty, which nobody can gainsay, he proceeds to indite a Jeremiaile for the occasion, and labors to utter a number of solemn profundities worthy of a better cause. Tbe Examiner carelully conceals from his readers, that tbe meeting was an apt illustration of the old story of catching a Tartar, ending as usual Avith tho inevitable result of the Tar-

tar catching his opponents, and exposing them to public ridicule. It Avas out of no disrespect to Mr. Sinclair that his name Avas left off the list of successful candidates, but because in the hurry and strife of the moment the instincts of self preservation rose superior to the claims of fitness aud long rendered services ou the part of that gentleman. The tactics of the opponents of Mr. Campbell Avere so Avell turned against themselves, that they Avill hesitate before making such laughing stocks of themselves a secoud time, as they did on the occasion referred to. Mr. Campbell Avas voted to the chair, in order that his mouth might be shut, and that his opponents might punish him Avithout fear of reprisals. In this they reckoned Avithout their host, for he adroitly vacated the chair to reply to their charges, and on resuming it, Avas enabled to give the casting vote which decided the election in favor of one of his friends, and sent iuto that obscurity which he so much covets, and which by his numerous virtues he is so well fitted to adorn, his most redoubtable opponent. As to the merits of the quarrel between the Sunday and the Monday educationists, there is no evidence on which to found a correct opinion. Affirmation aud contradiction folloAved in such rapid succession at the meeting, that judgment may well be suspended till further information has been giveu. No doubt, a Sunday school whether well managed or not, wili

cause some inconvenience to those who meet ou Monday, and it is the duty of its conductors to be without fault and suspicion also. This Mr. Campbell declares he is, and his statements are corroborated by those who act with him. He is moreover legally in possession, and canuot be removed by any amount of raving on the part of furious partisans. He lets the room to the Government, the Government does nor let the room to bim. An accommodation had "better be sought, and an end put to this unnecessary and unseemly strife. The' election will most likely accomplish this by bringing the representative belligerents into closer contact Avith each other. They Avill see the folly and absurdity of pursuing au exterminating policy, aud will, most likely, propose a suspension of hostilities or a return to the status quo ante bellum. The attack of the Examiner ou the Rev. Mr. Davis because he thought proper to alloAv himself to be elected ou the committee, is a piece of gratuitous impertinence which could have proceeded only from such a garrulous and senile source. If intelligence, acquaintance with best the modes of instruction, large experience, andsympathy Avith society iv its highest interests and requirements, qualify a man to sit on an education committee, then the Rev. Mr. Davis is fitted for the task, and the circumstance of his being a iniuister of religion ought not to operate as a disqualification. The supposition that a clergyman would introduce sectarian strife in a committee elected for purely secular purposes is ridiculous in the extreme, and could have orginated only in a mind of the most vulgar kind. Very likely the Examiner thinks the election of one ortAvo horsey individuals Avould improve the tone aud temper of the committee, aud that the Ne\r Zealand Stud Book would form a valuable addition to the curriculum prescribed for our Nelson youth. The public have no sympathy with sectarian strife, but they have with justice and fair play, and if necessary they will elect Local Committees of Education avlio will act ou those principles. If the Examiner be not fast asleep Avhen the next election meeting comes, he will find that the liberties of the householders are safe in their keeping, and that their choice of candidates will be very slightly influenced by his lugubrious preachments.