THE ANTONIO'S ELECTION.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 80, 21 February 1877, Page 2

THE ANTONIO'S ELECTION.

[TO THE BDITOB INANGAHVA TIMES.] Sib,-— The blackguard who signs him" self " Critic " in your contemporary of Tuesday morning, appears to derive solace from the " one consolation which still remains, namely, tbab Mr .Byrne is a representative who has been forced down their throats." The sfubborn fact unquestionably remains, that Mr Byrne w a representative and that he has been " forced down the throats " of " Critic " and the scheming faction of which he is a minor link is equal!? beyond dispute. The pill is no doubt a bitter one to swallow, and therefore "Critic's" puerile wailing over the process is excuseable. There is an old saying that one cannot come in contact wiih pitch without being defiled, and tbe only regret is that throughout Ibe Jate contest Mr Byrne's supporters should haye been compelled to ming'e evei in a crowd with such stuff as Mr Duncan's chief advocates are made of. Half the victory they say is in knowing how to cover a defeat, qnd it appears that some silly people here hare this yet to learn. If any man ever bad cause to ex* claim from the bottom of his heart " Save me from my friends," it is Mr Duncan. Upou the principle that those who win may laugh, " Critic's " heartburnings may well be smiled at and pitied. As to Mr Duncan himself, against whom I have not one word to urge, I will close with

the following from Shakespeare as being particularly apposite— " Besides this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpeUtongued against The deep damnation of his taking-off." Yours, Sic, Obsfbveb. Reefton, February 20tb, 1877.