"I Gave my Vote Against Them."

Southland Times, Issue 4185, 28 November 1881, Page 2

" I Gave my Vote Against Them."

Preaching from these words, the Rer. Mr Fuirclough (of St. Paul's Wesleyan Clurch) delivered a lengthy and moHt interesting discourse last evening. He regretted that the formation of public opinion on various important subjects had been left too much to the secular press, with a result that could not be considered flattering to the writers; and went on to speak of ths equality existing in the colony, where voting powers were within the reach of nearly all men. In time no doubt, as civilisation advanced, women also would be endowed with electoral privi-leg.-s. Seeing that these privileges had been extended to colonists, it behoved them to exercise their rights in returning meu to Parliament who would frame just laws and work for the advancement of the country. Hi* did not intend to. espouse the cause of any party, nor was lie going to mention names, but he ielt justified in tendering them some advice at this important juncture in the affairs of the colony. He warned them against the aian who wanted to ride into Parliament on a mere sounding cry. There was nothing easier than to make a noise, to prove which he quoted the saying of a theatrical manager to an actor who wanted his part written out — >l Uh, you can do it extempore for it's nothing but roaring." The man who wished to lead them by a mere cry thought they were fools, and if they followed him they would prove that he was right in his supposition. Beware also of the candidate who thought the electors existed for him, wl.o did not think he existed for them, and who talked ef the Government as existing for itself. He warned them against the professional politician — the man who without the honorarium might be taken up under the Vagrant Act as having no visible means of support. Such a man was always in the market, and would not scruple to sell the electors and their best interests. His vote on a five-million loan would be influenced by a bottle of wine. He would again appeal to them not to allow politics to become a profession. He warned them against a man who bad selfish ends in view — a man who only wanted to climb on their shoulders to benefit himself — in other words, a man who had an axe to grind. Beware of the man who bungled his private affairs. On© candidate standing now had compounded with his creditors five or six time during the past few years, and was it right such a man should have the spending of taxes raised by grinding down the poor ? To choose between aiich.and a poor-candi-date was difficult. If the former iwas greedy and grasping he should not £>• trusted, but if honest and straightforward in his dealings then he had advantages over the poor man, who when he went to Parliament was sorely tempted to give up hia trade and sink to the level of a professional politician, against whom they should always rote. They were now laying the foundations of ; r» mighty nation, and let every man lay his stone securely and well. He pointed out that in Victoria members had been carried into the lobby when in a drunken condition to decide great national questions, and that in the New South Wales Parliament most revolting scenes had occurred. It was undesirable that there should be drunken voters, but still less desirable that drunkenness and debauched legislators should be sent to Parliament. Scenes had occurred in our own colony at which e T very right thinking man must blush. stance the Government held Cabinet Councils on the Lord's Day, and not long sine* some of our legislators used the coarsest language when endeavoring to cause the disfranchisement of their fellow-men. The reverend gentleman closed vvith' an earnest appeal to his auditors to make their weight felt by returning men to Parliament who would stand up boldly for tHeir rights. _^_____