* An Tieredibary monarchy is universally to bo preferred to an elective monarchy. The confession of every writer on the subject of civil government, the experience of ages, the example of Poland, and of the Papal, dominions, seem to place this among the few indisputable maxims which the science of politics admit of". — Paley's Moral and JPolitioat JPMLy.I. Q,c. 6. ,: t See "Hawkes Bay Herald," Nor. 21, 1857. ; $ According to the Wellington papers, 886 is : the real number for Dr. Featherstoni ,and 576 for Mr.-StvHill ; so. that while Mr; R. Pbarazynxuns Dr. F& riumber o» to the next 10, he brings Mr. St.;Sill'3, back, tothe last ;, a ■ little matter -truly, but a' stKnv; thrown^^ up teils ) whioK ; way i the wind ■, ';blxJws.%^■{^^^V:v^ ; ;;:j■';;.v('.;^■^;; ; •; ; ;>■ : ,; _ ;^ :■
Now all these "fallacies" or "false analogies," on Mr. R. .Pharazyn' s part, arise (as I would charitably believe,) from his merely-taking up at secondhand the opinions, and -statements of other interested persons longer-headed than himself. Notwithstanding, since he has himself kid down the rule, that any snch being used "proves nothing, except dishonesty or incapacity in the person who rises if. ;— I shall leave it to him to choose which of the two he will please to accept. Further : lam forced, sir, to believe, that Mr. K. Pharazyn does not know the difference between political power rightly possessed, and political power rightly exercised. Now such power is rightly exercised only when it subserves the welfare of the whole community. ITor the avoidance of argument, it may be for the time conceded, that Dr. Peatherston rightly possesses the., power of Superintendent ; but that he haß rightly exercised it, i 3, I am very sure, lamentably far from truth, and plain enough to most, save to self-interested folks. Mr. Pharazyn, it is evident, thinks very highly of his own intellectual powers, (§) — which is by no means an uncommon qualification of young men; but, unfortunately for him, others do not think so ; at any rate, there seems to be a sad confusion of mind in what little we have ever seen or heard. As a matter of course (such beinggenerally the concomitant of vanity), he speaks very slightingly of what I have written and of my poor abilities — not even caring to consider, that, in all likelihood, I had passed through higher courses of studies than be had ever known ; and that I had been engaged in public work from before he could have learned his ab c ! Still, as I heartily wish him well, I would just remind him, that counter-assertion is not argument j and I would recommend him, to practice a little (if he can) the power of abstraction and detach accidental associations from truth itself. He speaks of my letter of the 19th ulto. as containing much "balderdash" : that, however, is a question for the public. I have very lately gone again through that letter ; and I feel thankful, sir, that I have been permitted and enabled to pen (and through you to publish) such sterling truths : —
"And joy a coming age will tliink with me." — Very sure I am that the truths therein enunciated are wholly in accordance with the " Westminster" ; and I would just hint to Mr. E. Pharazyn, that it would, perhaps be not altogether unadvisable for him (seeing that he is an aspirant after political honours,) to lay up that letter in some safe place for a future reference, (it may be after the writer is no more,) when, I venture to predict, he will find the principles I have therein written to be among the received and prized truths of the day. —
Mr. Pharazyn also calls on me to " repent of having joined a party, not from a conviction that it was in the right, but because it was momentarily victorious." How -wonderfully the former part of this sentence agrees with his address, 9 months ago, to the Electors of Ahuriri ! Then he said, — "in one word, our opponents feel themselves great in. opposition. Their geniu3 lies in destruction.
To join a party, for tvluitever object, is to them the greatest of political cnmes." (* *) This needs no comment. As to the lattex' part of Ms sentence, my having joined, a party because it was "momentarily victorious" : all I can say is, I do not understand him.
Before I conclude I would remind Mr. Pharazyn (and others who speah like him), that, situated as we are, political matters are looked at by us from widely different fields of view. It is my belief, Sir, that it is morally impossible for Mr. E. Pharazyn to consider our present political state impartially ; if he can, he is more than, a common man. For (setting aside his great inexperience,) he is not only deeply interested personally in carrying out his own ultra views, (which, fully followed up, must end in keeping away a numerous free and thriving population from the District), but his father (who is also Dr. Featherston's auditor), and relations are also alike interested in holding (as is well-known) the same principles ; and I scarcely need add, that Mr. Robert Pharazyn has strenuously sought to be returned as our Member to the Provincial Council with the avowed determination of "going the whole hog " with Dr. Feathers ton's party. So that, in Mr. E. Pharazyn's case, there is not only self-interest (of first quality, and of colonial gage), but there is the equally strong bond of family tie 3; and the scarcely less one of vaulting yet disappointed ambition continually goading. On the contrary I — the writer of "balderdash" — I have no peculiar self-interest to serve (I defy my opponents to point such out) ; I have no relations, nor even powerful or dear Mends, egging me on by example and precept ; and I have no political ambition whatever. Nothing indeed is farther from my wishes (if I know myself) ; very much rather would I be far away among the sequestered glens of the Ruahine range "culling of simples" (arid enjoying myself among the grand and truthful solitudes of Nature), than here writing on political subjects. And now, in conclusion, I -would merely add, that I trust Mr. Robert Pharazyn will be benefitted by this letter j that he will have no just reason to complain of any discourtesy on my part j for if I have been more severe than usual, he shoidd consider that he himself has evoked it. Quis custodiet custodies. I am, Yours very sincerely, Wm* CoiasußO. Waitangi, Aug. 23, 1858.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18580828.2.9
Bibliographic details
Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 49, 28 August 1858, Page 3
Word Count
1,080Untitled Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 49, 28 August 1858, Page 3
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.