An Unedifying Spectacle.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 26, 29 June 1910, Page 61

An Unedifying Spectacle.

Looked at from the point of view of a high-minded ecclesiastic, the recent General Election was not edifying. Preaching at St. Paul’s Cathedral the Archdeacon of London made a strong protest against the manner in which the General Election had been conducted. “During the past few weeks,” he said, “we have been watching the remarkable sight of a Christian nation electing those representatives who were to have the tremendous responsibility of governing for the next few years. It was a curious spectacle. We might have looked for some attempt .'it self-control, restrained discussion, a desire to get at the facts of every prominent question; for courtesy, justice, and common-sense. What we did see was the most vociferous talkers of either half of the nation doing their crazy utmost to prove the other half to be either knaves or fools, or both. Some of the greater and wiser men, of course, were reasonable and generous. All honour to them! But those who excited most notice were the makers of wild and bitter speeches. There was a general atmosphere o the imputation

of unworthy motives Never were wholesale misrepresentations so rife. A speaker was listened to in proportion as he dealt in harsh and shocking personalities. The walls teemed with misleading placards, diametrically opposite to the practice in the free-speaking American Republic. 'There was in innumerable meetings a brutal and tyrannical refusal to hear what the candidates had to say. There was a general spirit aroused of hatred and malice, and an appeal to ignorance, exaggeration. and intolerance. Such a deplorable exhibition could only be palliated by the untenable excuse that a general election was a madman’s holiday. It disclosed a state of mind in this country for which we as a Christian nation—whatever our politics might be—should feel profoundly humiliated.