THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1831.] DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, NOV. 30, 1868.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 6

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1831.] DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, NOV. 30, 1868.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

It is now more than twelve months since the Civil War in the United States ceased, and the Northern States triumphed; but, as in most other cases of civil commotion, the real difficulty has yet to be solved. When party spirit runs high on a particular question between States geographically separated, nothing is easier than to drift into hostilities. An accident, a word dropped at a public meeting, a wrong step on the part of some one in authority, or a determination on the part of the Government to enforce its decrees at all hazards may be the immediate cause; but the spirit of rankling antipathy is the motive power that leads to them. The Civil War was an event looked forward to by statesmen years before it took place. The people in the North were as determined on the abolition of Slavery as the people of the South to uphold it as an institution. But now that the object is gained, and slavery is abolished, the North refuses to give to the Southern States that equality they professed to desire to confer upon the Negro population when first they drew the sword. Doubtless the stand made by the Southern States was unexpected, and rendered reducing them to submission a costly affair; but there appears something excessively arbitrary in the determination to exclude them from being represented in Congress. . . . In relation to this question, the position of the President is singular. He is not at variance with the people as a whole, but with his Parliament. . . ~ The President has been making a tour of the States, and has actually been appealing to the masses against the decision of the Congress. In some States he has been enthusiastically received; in others, he scarcely escaped being mobbed. Should the majority be against him in the next Congress, it is far from improbable that he will be impeached. ... In past ages, countries passing through such scenes of blood as have been enacted in the States, have only emerged from them under the leadership of a military despot. Whether the United States will escape this fate or not remains to be seen.

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Canada Quartz Mining Company, Registered, was held at the office of the Company yesterday afternoon. It was resolved that the capital of the company be increased to L 6500 by the issue of 200 new shares of LlO each, about 100 of which were taken up by the shareholders present. The prospects of the company are in a flourishing condition. . Thomas Robson, the prisoner who, with Langham, attempted, in August last to escape from the gaol, was committed for trial upon charges of having assaulted Warder Birt, with intent; of having broken out of the Gaol; and of aided and abetted Langham in firing at and resisting Constable Baxter. . . .

The debate on the Resolutions as to the Relations of the General and Provincial Governments occupied the Council during nearly five' hours of yesterday's sitting; Mr Bell, making an elaborate speech, which lasted two hours and three-quarters. The resolutions of the Government were adopted with one or two verbal amendments. ...

At the Princess Theatre last evening "War to the Knife" and "The Irish Tutor" were produced, and were exceedingly well played. . . . "Camille" was produced at the Theatre Royal last evening. There was a good attendance, and Miss Adelaide Bowrong as Camille completely enchained the attention of the audience.