THE ELECTION.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4845, 21 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTION.

(To tbe Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—la the old days of portrait painting, an artist invariably flattered his sitter. If there was a wart on tbe nose, it was toned down or omitted; if there were ugly angularities in the figure, they were rounded off; if the hair was blazing red, it was made auburn, and so on, in fact the likeness generally bore about the same resemblance to the original, as an epitaph does to the real character of the deceased. Now, it appears the friendly hand which sketched "Mr Speight's political portrait in the Advertiser, has followed very closely the practice of an artist of the old school, and I shall endeavor to add a few truthful touches to the sketch, to make it a little more like the living original.: He says Mr Speight -has the " courage to express his convict ions, "-—that is quitej trae, but an fortunately his convictions have 'too often.... ben anything but advantageous to this district when he has given them utterance. '; His " stone-walling speech "was an example of servile obedience to Sir George Grey. His bitter articles in the journal he has until now edited, and 5 the prominent part hetook in the Bryce effigy business, were enough to steel the hearts of any Ministry, arid proveke' the"wel Imerited contempt and neglect from which the district has suffered. The remembrance of them will everrise as a barrier against his usefulness in the House and his influence with any but the> ultra«Greyfaotion. Mr Speight undoubtedly possessesVa large share of natural ability, but hV is too

aggressive; he has not yet learnt that silence is often golden, and I fear he never will; he is by nature impulsive and vindictive, and his otherwise excellent speech at the Academy was marred not only by his: invective and coarse personal abuse, but also by their positively^maligriant ex preasion; I say to him it is not because bis name ia V Speight" that men dislike him, bat because he cannot brook opposition, arid will not treat his opponents with that respect and courtesy he claims Jot himself. He seems to regard a political enemy as a murderer who is seeking his life, and in a voice hoarse with passionate feeling utters his harmless denunciations. He.hates Mr Brycej and extols his native policy, which plainly shows that with him sterling ability and good; service to the State cannot conquer a merely personal prejudice, and taxes the Native Minister with " piggisbness," when sensible and thinking men know that only by indomit able pluck and pertinacity was that great policy forced upon the House. To add ano'her, touch to his portrait, Mr Speight is, I fear, an egotist, and to this pernicious failing may be traced nearly all the defects in his otherwise exemplary character. He is too prone to consider all men liars and rogues but himself, and that he alone stands without fear arid without reproach. I add these few touches to his portrait in the most kindly spirit, trusting he will perceive how true they are to nature, and proceed without delay to exorcise the evil spirit which makes him the disliked of men.—l am, &c, ■ Electob.