THE OTAGO ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 802, 13 April 1867, Page 2

THE OTAGO ASSOCIATION.

(From the Daily Times, April 10.) We are glad to learn that the Otago Association has not altogether ceased its labors, and that an effort is being made to instil into it new life. It cannot too emphatically be remembered that the objects ■which called it into existence, not only re-

main traßatfened,/but ttopJtigvftJnttefaigjß in importance. "We venture to say to those wlHvfrom a condition dfgreaiexcltemeatj have subsided into one of supineness,, that they stultify' themselves by showing indifference now, to what, a. short while bacfr, they declared thienwelves pre> pared to go to great lengths to secure. Excitement and enthusiasm are useful adjuncts to a political organisation for the attainment of political objects. But they do not constitute the organisation, and they are insufficient for such a purpose. In politics, as in many other things, the fable of the "Hare and the Tortoise 1 ' finds an application. Steadiness, perseverance, firmness, and determination, are the' qualities from which a political organisation derives its chief strength ; and indeed it may be said, that when the objects are reasonable, an organisation composed - of members joined in sympathy together by the qualities enumerated rarely fails to be successful. There is one source of weakness to be much feared, ana" that is a pronenesa to allow slight differences of opinion to interfere with and weaken the interest in the main object in view. It is no new thing for the opposers of an organisation to attempt to gather strength by suggesting or investing with undue weight, such differences of opinion. Our remarks are • not without relevancy. The difficulties in the way of an organisation in Otsgo, powerful to obtain the objects vital to the Province's welfare, are not in a want of common agree- 1 ment as to the grievances under which the Province labors, or the necessity for redressing them, but in a proneness to spasmodic action ; a deficiency of sustained^ earnest, and undeviating energy, and in a disposition to magnify slight points of difference. We do not undervalue petitions, meeting?, and demonstrations, as a means of evincing a people's feelings, but something more remains. There must be an end to the impression that the meeting over, or the petition signed, the work is done. Public opinion must be kept alive by its being made the reflex of private opinion. This same public opinion is a wonderful thing — wonderful not on account only of its irresistible power, but of the component parts which build it up. We might borrow form it many analogies. In nature, gigantic effects are produced by the aggregation of minute causes. For instance, 1 if we trace back the reason of some disastrous flood, we shall find that it has been produced by the collection of the storm waters, of which, as rain, as it fell, it would have been, difficult to collect more than a few drops ; or by tbe melting of a vast collection of the frailest of substances — snow. Who, as he sees rain or snow fall, can fully realise the gigantic influence which may be produced by the multiplication of the apparently trifling agency '? Now it is somewhat similar with public opinion. It is made up of a Vast multitude of private impressions, more or less strong, or more or less feeble. Suppose a large crowd of people violently applauding some popular sentiment. Take twenty persons out of the crowd, and you will perhaps find one thoroughly up in the subject, and perhaps another one or two tolerably well acquainted with it, and eager in its behalf. The remainder will perhaps possess a little knowledge of the subject, and a great deal of enthusiasm, founded partly on their own knowledge, but mainly borrowed from the opinions of those with whom they come in contact. They will not care to argue the case with you, but they will more or less resist any opposite opinion to that which they have learned to hold. Take these individuals singly, and you will be disposed to say there is no strength of opinion. Mass them together, and you have strength; the separate atoms make up a solid whole. To consolidate and strengthen public opinion, then, it is clear two processes require to go on simultaneously. First, an increase in the number of disciples: secondly, an iucrease in their knowledge of the subject. The latter necessarily promotes the former ; the recruited become recruiters. We have said, without accurate knowledge there may be much enthusiasm ; but it it is doubtful whether to sustain the enthusiasm, or rather to convert the enthusiasm into earnestness, it is not requisite there should be something approaching to accurate knowledge. Of the outline of Otago'a wrongs the settlers aTe mostly cognisant, but the details are not well understood, and it is desirable they should be. It may be that a long and arduous struggle will be forced upon the people, and public opinion requires to be strengthened. It is strong now in the number of disciplea; it should be stronger still in their knowledge. No one who really takes an interest in the Province should be content with holding his opinions at second hand, or grudge the time and. attention to make himself acquainted with the facta upon which to found his opinions. We take it this is mainly the task to which the Association should set itself. In so many words it has to' consolidate

'jSi% organisation, and to do so it f disseminate information. . Having decided its own tenets, - 'difllishing between the leading jjrincinlea the minor details, about which */a difference of opinion may exist .'without detriment, it has then to seek to spread" widely abroad the information calculated to „ secure adherents ; -not -only: enthusiastic ones, but those who, from their knowledge, may procure others and strengthen their opinions. Every man who increases his information aids the cause, because he places himself in a position to obtain fresh adherents. The Association should lose no time in systematically causing its tenets, its opinions, and the facts on which they are founded, to be circulated throughout the Province, both in writing and carefully i prepared lectures. We are convinced that if this course were adopted, what is required to consolidate public opinion will be arrived at.