THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 107, 10 July 1847, Page 2

THE SOUTHERN CROSS. Saturday, July 10, 1847.

LUCnO >"ON UHO. '•II I have beeii r.viiniMiisheil, yet there rise A thoiisiunl hpiicoiis (ri'in the opaik I bore."

Wi; resume our duties as Public Journalists with mingled feelings of pleasuro and of pain. Pleased at the prospect of renewing our long suspended acquaintance with the numerous friends who favored us formerly with their patronage and support ; but, pained to think, that the re-ascen.sion of tho Cross should happen at a period when almost the en tiro political horizon is enveloped in dark and portentous clouds : that instead of rising through a bright and placid atmosphere, shedding a steady and increasing light upon all within the reach of its influence, it will, in all probability, have to struggle to tho zenith through denso masses of error, prejudice, and injustice. If ivo occupied the position of an unknown candidate for public favor, and were now about to mako our first debut, it might be proper to pursue the ordinary course of wlKJtting the appetites, and stimulating tho expectation? of our readers by a well seas mod bill of fare, in the shape of a long prospectus— compounded after the most approved fashion, of professions seldom fulfilled, and promises but rarely performed. But as we come upon the stago in the costume of an old acquaintance, and ■with the attributes of an established character, wo may with very good grace, omit the long prospectus, and condense the accustomed prologue by repeating with heartfelt sincerity, the laconic but comprehensive assuranco that we shall be *' qxialis ab incepto." I It is almost superfluous to say, that we, ourselves at least, believe there is a necessity for another Public Press, and that there is a strict propriety in our re-appear-ance. It may not, however, be improper to state, briefly, tho reasons of this belief. In looking over the pages of our contemporary, the New Zcalander, with an occasional exception now and then, every thing appears fair and smiling, the people universally contented and happy, the colony generally flourishing and prosperous ; and did such a blessed state of affairs really edst, were we really enjoying such halcyon days, wo feel that it would be highly criminal to do, or say, aught that could by any possible contingency, disturb such sweet reposo. But, alas, our happiness is more seeming than real ; our prosperity I more fictitious than true. Like the victims cf pulmonary disease, we have the flush upon our cheeks, whilo destruction is proying upon our vitals : and like them too, wo may be flattering ourselves with the hopes of the healthy, while our constitution is gradually advancing towards decay. Every one here knows, to his deep regret, that the colony is not in a healthy state ; and as the remedy for our disorders must be looked for chiefly from the Parent Country, and further, as tho English public obtain little or no information but through the channel of the public prints ; it, therefore, becomes a matter of the deepest importance to tho colonists, that their feelings and wishes should bo faithfully and fully represented. The Southern Cross will endeavour to discharge this important duty. We pretend to no self-conceited superiority of judgement on any subject whatever, far loss have we. any desire to thrust upon the public our own views, or attempt to pass off our opinions as those of the colonists in general. Our pretensions are, and they must bo distinctly stated, to supply a medium through which the people of England, and all concerned in tho welfare of this country, may be made acquainted with things here exactly as they exist, without false coloring of any kind. Who, it will naturally be asked, is to be entrusted with tho painting of such a picture? Is the Editor of the /Southern Cross to undertake the task ? Is he about to advocate all views and opinions, and attempt the sisyphean labor of pleasing every body ? Again availing ourselves of the cover of the impenetrable conventional pronoun, we say : so far from seeking to.

please every one, we do not desire to do so. If it were our purpose to make such an effort — to bo " all things to all men," we should not only render ourselves contemptible, but be placed in tho humi- ', Hating position of thoso who strive at impossibilities. Our columns will bo open to tho communications of all who express, in proper terms, their opinions upon public matters, however widely they may differ from our own views. We shall smother no discussion, however unpalatablo to our own political taste — nor substitute an editorial sneer in the place of a correspondent's epistle. We invite communications upon every subject bearing upon the interests of our adopted country. Our own interests are so completely identified with the public good, and the prosperity of New Zealand generally, and our own settlement in particular, that the best guarantee is afforded by this very fact, of tho sincerity of our purpose in tho opinions we may express. It would be absurd to say either that we shall support, or oppose the government. When we think support deserved, it shall be freely given ; and when wo think it is not deserved, we shall not be frightened from opposition. Above all, we shall endeavour to be consistent with ourselves, not advocating one set of principles to-day, and another to-morrow — -now uttering loud condemnation — then fulsomo flatteries — everything by turns, but nothing long. Truth will be our watchword : To maintain it, every minor consideration will be sacrificed, every opposing influenco disregarded ; and if it should be our lot to come into collision with the passiou or prejudice of others — while pursuing our object — we may regret — but shall not attempt to avoid it by insulting or disguising tho object of our veneration — Tuutii.