Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1351, 20 November 1860, Page 3

Correspondence.

82fOur Coricspondcnco coltimm being linpaitiiHy open, « are not to be identified \\U\\ any opinions evpreased thcicin.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, — A most excellent article on the war and peace question appeared in the "New-Zealandei" of the 17th instant, and as I am one of those who oppose the idea that deeds of blood should be "wiifcten in letters of gold" you will I trust foigive me for calling attention to the humane and reaHy noble sentiments of your contemporary. "That overtures of peace," says the ' New-Zealander,' " would be made to the Government, we readily believe, and those too, of a nature compatible with the dignity of the Crown, if only it were known that moderate propositions would be favouxably considered." The above is the feeling of the native people, expressed »','ain and again to their friends throughout the Northern island. But what, it may be asked, are the terms for our acceptation, " compatible with the dignity of the Crown" 1 Let the ' Now-Zealander 1 answer in its own noble hearted language ; it says — " The most rigid of paternal Governments might be satisfied with simple submisiion." " Satisfied with simple submission !" " Host certainly" is the response of every truly philanthropic breast. The deep injustice of the present war is known to all the native tribes ; the startling facts of the case are no longer shrouded in mystery ; and thousands of colonists feel, with the excellent Mr. Swainson, that this "unholy war" is utterly degrading to the British nation. It is not necessary to put forth any arguments on this subject, the high-minded Mr. Fox and his wave colleagues having silenced for ever the dastardly warparty in the House of Representatives. But allowing far argument sake that the war is just ; what then ' Why, " the strong," says your contemporary, " can afford to be merciful." All will admit, I trust, that it is not great or courageous to annihilate those who offend, be the offence ever so great, but it is true greatness to pardon them — this greatness will have more influence upon the keenly susceptible native people, than all the swords and bayonets the British bring into the field against them. A Citizen. Auckland, November 19, 1860. [We have great pleasure in insetting the above letter. It gives us an opportunity of making a few more remtiks on a subject which we lately discussed in extenso. Before doing so, however, we may mfoim the writer that we were obliged to peruse his communication twice before we could make up our minds, whether it was intended to be ironical or not. Our correspondent is evidently in raptures with com* mon-place generalities and pretty phraies, but seems not to be quite clear as to what rebellion is, and what it is not. We may briefly tell him that overtures of peace can never be accepted from rebels : the idea is subversive of all our ideas as Englishmen, Irishmen, and Scotchmen. Many of us have had ancestors, who were rebels in their time, but they I knew the alternative when they drevr the sword to overthrow the powers that then existed. Victory or death wits what they looked for. Unconditional submission, confiscation of property, and civil degradation, were the terms upon which the timid were only too willing to acci pt the boon of life. The Native rebel will receive better terms. No one seeki his blood, but we want hit muiket, and os for confiscation, that dreadful word to mention to ears clerical, the native hin'self would own that it is perfectly "tika 1 ' to take " utu " — if we can — for the destruction of Taranaki province. Our propositions are very " moderate." They merely are "lay down your aims and repair the damages you have done." "Simple submission" is next spoken of by our correspondent • a quotation from our cotempoiary. For our part we do not know, what the words mean, if they do not contain the idea of a surrender of arms. A submissive native with a double barrel-gun in his hand pointed at an unarmed settler's head, can hardly be in the state of " simple submission," with which " the most rigid of paternal Governments might be satisfied." As for '' thousands of coloniits " feeling that this war is degrading to the British nation, we deny the fact. They may, and indeed do feel it inconvenient, but not degrading. Such a statement is an insult to those who have been engaged and to the memory of those who have fallen in the execution of their duty. As for the remainder of the letter it i« plausible bosh. Nobody wishes to annihihdate, and everybody wishes to be really merciful to the Maori.— Ed. S.C.]

To tho Editor of the Southern Cioss. Sik,— If you think the enclosed communication worth insertion, do it in the columns of your valuable journal. We all admire the bravery of our soldiers and volunteers, nevertheless the arms supplied to them should be sometimes varied to suit the peculiar nature of the service required, or the enemy to be subdued. Civilizn, tion must ttot, like ancient Greece, be overcome by semi-barbarism. If tho weapons used in the Northern Hemisphere avail not in the Southern, Aits should adapt arms to circumstances ; and I feel convinced that the revolving rifle, or a revolver, in addition to the rifle, should be placed in. the hands of those who may be sent to act against the Maori. What weapon so effective in driving back the fierco Comanches, in Mexico and California, as the revolver ? When bayonet is opposed to bayonet, physical force has the best of it ; but bayonet advancing on that weapon and the revolver, the odds is on the latter proving victorioui. Will the Maori, en masse, attack the thickened phalanx and serried line * they are too cunning ; they would doubtless spread, seek cover, and pour bullets from double guns into the clustered mass. If the military attack them skirmishing then that would occur which should be avoided, viz. : a series of hand-to-hand encounters, wherin the Maori would have the advantage. As we have been informed, brave Leut. Brooks, of the gallant 40th, after shooting three of his savage opponents fell, tomahawked, in the act of surrendering his sword. Jf he had held another revolver in place of the sword-blade in his hand, and shot three more, in all likelihood he would have escaped with his life. Shall I remind you of the deeds done by our officers during the Sepoy ravolt in India ? It is a weapon by no means cumbersome in bush skirmishing. I would pin my faith on an acute little " David," with a pair of " bean's Patent," tumbling five " Goliahs" in as many moments, at the same distance. I could writo more on this thome, but will now beg to subscribe myself I Forty-five.