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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 42, 10 July 1858, Page 2

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To tie Editor of Hie HawJce's Bay Herald.

Dear Sib — You will much oblige me by allowing me to vindicate my character in relation to the part I took in the late election, which Mr. W. Colcnso lias so ably scrutinised in his letter as published in your paper of the 3rd inst. On reading his letter, I must confess I felt somewhat annoyed, but not at all surprised. Knowing the gentleman, I was annoyed to think in the nineteenth century, a man could be found who would really dispute another man's right to th : nk and act for himself; and simply because he could not act in concert with the honest individual who disputed his right ; and I think, Mr. Editor, as it was through the medium of your columns this attack was made, it is only fair in common honesty to ask you to allow an explanation to go forth through tlie same medium. First, then, as regards myself and the part I took in the election. I wish Mr. Colenso and the whole of his clique distinctly to understand that my actions was not the result of any solicitaions either from Dr. Feathers ton or any of his party, but from an honest conviction that Dr. Fc-athcrston was, of the two men, the most fitting man to take the management of public affairs until the ultimatum of the people was achieved, namely, separation. In supporting my own convictions I discharged a pleasing duty — a conscientious support of honest convictions, fettered by none, but free as the winds of Heaven ; and I beg distinctly to say, Mr. Editor, that I never received any pay, either directly or indirectly, as has been intimated more than once.

Of these matters I should never have troubled the readers of yovr paper, but for the dastardly attack of Mr. W. Colenso, and the base insinuations of some would be thought philosophers, whose greatness consists in blundering and spreading such scurrilous reports as common honesty would blush to own.

Mr. W. Colenso says, — " Last summer a gentleman came among you as a settler whom he, Mr. Mr. C "was the first to welcome." Charitable man, very ! God bless him ! " But in seeing him a touter for Dr. Featherston, I thought that he appeared more advantageously and looked more like a true Briton when he trod the quarter-deck of his ship." Simply because he could not tread in Mr. W. Colenso's footpath in the late election, I suppose. Blessed man ! How meek, mild, and holy — speaks faithfully, fearlessly, and without malice, and says nothing to vex, but opposes all cant, sham and humbug. Such sanctimonious cant I detest ; it seems to me to carry the signet of deep designing hypocrisy on its very front, and fitted only for the sacerdotal robes, and altogether uncalled for when used in relation to private character

Mr. Colenso can write a long letter on apple trees, and few care about the same ; but when he leaves his philosophic pursuits and uses his pen to blacken private character, he must remember though all the gentlemen in the colony have not worn the gown, they still think they have a right to act for themselves, as their own convictions may dictate, without any attempt being made to bring them into disrepute ; and this seems to me to be the tenor of Mr. Colenso's letter of the 3rd inst.

As far as he was able, the characters he has personified with the far fetched cognomens, " Subs," " bonafi.de settlers," "neighbour," " touter," and " schoolmaster." As regards the attack made on myself, I appeal to every-' other man, in and about the voting room, if ever they saw me leading half sober men, or any man, into tlic voting room,

My course on the day of election was to persuade ev^ry man to vote, and let the two candidates know the real state of public opinion. Mr. Cjlcnso can prove the truth of this statement by aaking a number of gentlemen whom I called on the day of voting. IJut I much question whether Mr. Colenso or any of his party took such a manly course or not in the election. His charge o flea ding into the voting room half sober men I distinctly deny. Ido not charge the Meo. gentleman with, wilful misrepresentation, but beg to inform him that it is a gross mistake.

So much for myself, and the motives ■which led me to aot in the election ; now for the " subs," "neighbour," and the "schoolmaster." I sincerely think, had they all assisted the blessed man, they might have saved all the animadversion and given the Key. gentleman more time to write on fruit trees, as the season is fast drawing to a close ; but as all the gentlemen are fully competent of giving a sufficient reason for their conduct at a fitting time, I leave them to answer for themselves ; but really cannot close the present withoxit saying a word or two respecting the poor " subs." Your correspondent says, in language too plain to be misunderstood, that in voting they did right ; the serious offence is in trying to persuade others to act as they did, namely to vote for Dr. T'cathevston, not I suppose from being afraid of losing their situations, but from an honest conviction of the superiority of the man. And what was wrong in this ? The mere fact of their salary being paid out of the treasury, "was that alone sufficient to unman them, and cripple their energies, and destroy the birthright oi every man — the right of private judgment, the boast of Englishmen. The evil of their influence the gentleman will say no more of at present. Such base attempts are beneath the dignity of manly thought, and liberty of consience, and the God -like principle of " doing unto others as they should do unto you." The attempted censure carries on its forehead its own refutation, if not, Heaven protect the " 3ubs," who cannot think and act as other men, whatever their qualifications as politicians may be, because their weekly wages are paid with public monies. Can it really be possible we live in the nineteenth century, amid the free blaze of political freedom, and attempt to trammel our fellow men in such a monstrous manner, if so, instead of voting for Dr. Ifeatherslon, vote for the restoration of the inquisition, and a number of gentlemen with the black robe whose garments are emblematic of the deeds they have clone in the land ; and at once bring the " subs," " touter," " neighbour," and " schoolmaster " to judgment because of their serious offencs of differing with the Rev. gentleman in opinion.

In conclusion, Sir, I sincerely think it -would have mattered little whether the "touter" had led into the room half-sober or wholly drunken nzea, if they voted for St. Hill, and of course with Sir. Colcnso. I now leave the whole matter in the hands of your readers, and ask them to use their judgment respecting private character. With their decision I sliall rest contented. I am, Sir, Tour obedient servant, G-. Chaeiton". Meanee Spit, July 8, 1858.