THE DEFEAT OF THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 23, 30 September 1887, Page 17

THE DEFEAT OF THE PREMIER.

T would be vain to deny that the principal event in the electioiiS has been the defeat of Sir Robert Stout for Dunedin East. Everyone said that this event would take place, and yet everyone has been surprised at the fulfilment of the prediction. It was thought that the usual good luck of a - - fortunate career must intervene to prevent the catastrophe ; that some remnant of the former glamour, if nothing else, or even if it were only the mute, pathetic, appeal of a well-known name on the voting-paper, would hinder, even at the last moment, the fatal erasure, in sufficient instances, at least, to secure for the once all popular favourite a saving majority. In this instance, however, the resolution of the fickle multitude proved firm and Sir Robert fell before it To inquire into the causes that contributed to bring about such an end would require a more minute and extensive examination than it serves our present purpose to make. They, no doubt, were various, and different people were affected by them in different manners and degrees. Were we to say that Sir Robert Stout's career had commended itself to us in any measure approaching that in which it excited admiration and even enthusiasm elsewhere, we should be insincere. We saw many faults in it ; many shortcomings, and, what is wor&e, many instances in which false ideals were pursued, and false or imperfect standards of perfection set up and worshipped with a zeal that might have excited warm approbation had it been bestowed upon a worthy object. Sir Robert's cardinal error was that " fads/* as they are called, are the infallible risions which a noble mind pursues with the end in view of working out some good for mankind and leaving the world a better world than it had previously been. Pedantry or pride, or self-sufficiency, alas ! lies more often at the foundation of such notions, and they are worthy only of the base on which they rest. It would be well if in every case the vanity of the conceit exhausted itself in the individual with whom it originated, and were not spread abroad more or less widely as a mischievous effect. A career like Sir Robert Stout's possessing great capacities for good, and still producing much that is evil, presents to us, we confess, a melancholy spectacle, and gives us sad reason to contrast that which is with that which might be. But we are far from exulting at Sir Robert's temporary fall. The principles which have always obliged us to be strongly in opposition to him as a public man and a statesman were not prominently involved in the causes of his defeat, and, apart from them, we entertain no feeling towards him that is not friendly and no desire but that of seeing the many excellent qualities and abilities which he possesses brought as fully and as usefully as possible into play. That Sir Robert's fall will be of temporary duration only we have little doubt. The petulant declaration that, were it to occur, it would form the close of his public life, which he recently made, and still seems to adhere to, may be dismissed as the mere slip that marked a moment of irritation. Some allowance must also be made for the feelings arising from the anticipation and experience of an unwonted check and the assumed ingratitude of a public whose habitual complacency had been naturally taken for an involuntary and well -earned homage. But it is not thus that, on calm reflection, the philosopher meets a reverse, and no man whose constant profession has been, like that of Sir Robert Stout, the determined resolution to work for the good of mankind — with that hopeful effort alone for his sufficient reward — could possibly abide by any threat so rash, as well as so vengeful were it carried out. That Sir Robert Stout has in him capacities for helping, and very materially helping, to improve the position of those among whom he lives, is known to all of us. His career has been one of unruffled success, and, perhaps, now for the first time, he has encountered a serious rebuff. But, although circumstances certainly have favoured him in a rrnuner not commonly witnessed, his success has not been altogether Without merit on his part, or acquired without deserving labour. The wiser and more useful course, therefor?, an well as the more consistent with his frequent professions, would oe for him to renouace ail notions of a self-imposed ostracism and to continue to devote to the service of his country so much of his talents and time as he can find available for the purpose. That an opening lies ready for him even now is certain, and if he be indeed a true philosopher, instead of

retiring to encounter that forgetfulness which the imperative necessities of an imperfect world compel it invariably to exercise towards even the most devoted and useful of those who have served it when death or absence obscures them from its view, he will bring to such an opening the improvement to be derived by him from the lesson he has received. Surely Sir Robert Stout is not the man to give to the Colony the retrogressive example of another Achilles sulking by the idle keels, even if the Ship of State must not contrive to stagger onward, with her sails spread and tolerably steered somehow or another without his aid.

Satisfactory news continues to reach us from every side concerning the presentation to be made to the Bishop of Dunedin, on hii return from Australia. We have received intelligence that his lord* ship may be expected by the Mararoa, which will reach Port Chalmers on October 11, but the testimonial committee have resolved to keep their subscription lists open until October 17, on which day they will close. We have to acknowledge the receipt of £1 5i towards the testimonial from Mr. Thomas Nestor of Amberley, which we have handed to the treasurers. In another place we publish the first instalment of the subscription lists. The elections have been most remarkably distinguished by a slaughter of veterans. Mr. Bolleston is gone, and Mr. Bryce, and also Mr. Tole— but let de mortuia, etc., be our motto. Still it is no sin to hope that their resurrection, when it comes, may be to a better life, which, to tell the truth, in a political sease they might easily lead* And now the consideration arises as to the representation of Dunedin in the next Cabinet, whenever and however it may happen to be formed. Dr Fitchett and Mr. Alltn are too new. and Mr. Fish, just for the present at least, is probably too lively. Mr. Larnach smacka of the much abhorred Stout- Vogelism, and Mr. Barron somehow or another does not seem to count — though we intend no offence to him whatever. The competition, in fact, seems to lie between Mr. Bos* and Mr. Downie Stewart. Had Mr. Dick been returned precedent would have been in his favour. But he was not returned, and not even precedent favours Mr. Stewart. Mr. Ross, then, looks like the coming man, and may possibly have the honour of crowning a career of presidencies and municipal honours by the glories of the Ministry, The events of the next few month& should bring us some fun. We hope, nevertheless, that the colony may not pay over dearly for it. Lord Randolph Churchill seems to take a philosophic view of things generally. Speaking at Whitby the other day, he is reported as expressing himself most jubilant at the triumph of Unionism, law, and order. Yet the triumph of law and order is exhibited in a series of grave riots, and an outbreak and extension of moonlighting and boycotting — and that of Uaionism, according to Lord Randolph's showing, in the sacrifice c£ the landlords — whom the Tories were bound by all that was honourable in the way of pledges given to support. The offended landlords, however, may probably have an energetic word or two to say on this subject when their eyes have been fully opened — and what they say will hardly screngthen or confirm the Unionist victory. Lord Randolph was also rather philosophic in blaming Mr. Gladstone for causing the obstruction of the past session— knowing, as he must, that on the predominance of the Irish question, with which the obstruction alluded to was inseparably connected, the very life of the Tory party depended . Law and order, then, proved by the increase of riot and crime ; Unionism only prevented from becoming wide disunion by perfidy and cowardice, and obatruction by which the opposing party are kept from falling to pieces, are far too abnormal tokens of a condition of peace and prosperity to be accepted as such by any but the most philosophic mind possible.— That it is evident Lord Randolph Churchill possesses — at least when it becomes incumbent on him to deceive an audience. The following is a copy of a memorial to the Hon. Sir Robert Stout, which in being circulated in Dunedin for signalura :—": — " Sir, — We, the undersigned electors of Dunedin, beg to tenl-r you AS expression of our sincere sorrow at the loss the Colony has sustained through being deprived of your services in Parliament and we also venture to express the hope, and hereby most strongly urge that you will reconsider your decision as to your retirement from public life. We hope that you will consider that your private opinion and private wish should give way to the interests of the Colony, for we fully believe that your services in Parliament arc of the utmost importance to the welfare of the people iv the present political crisis; and although the electors of Dunedin East have lost the opportunity of retainiDg you as their representative, you will see from this requibition that you still possess the thorough confidence of the electors o' Dunedin. Will you therefore kindly iuform us if you will allow yourself to be nominated for a constituency should the opportunity offer ?" Wb are not accustomed to take notice of slanderous and malevolent reports circulated by people who are unworthy of consideration. But, lest our Bilence be misunderstood it may be as well for us to m

• contradiction to a statement made by a correspondent of the Auckland Bell to the effect that Dr. Moran had gone in " a huff " to attend the investiture of Dr. Beynolds at Adelaide. This is a gross untruth —deserving to be characterised by the broadest term that expressss an untruth in the English language. Dr. Moran had not intended to leave Dunedin until the first week in September -a week later than he actually left— being'induced to change hia mind for the sake of enjoying the company of Dr. Gleeson on the passage to Hobart. And, moreover, his Lordship had first of all hesitated as to whether h« would accept Dr. Beynolds' invitation, aa it was not very convenient for him to leave home at the time. He came to the conclusion, however, that he could not graciously refuse the Archbishop who had so kindly come to the opening 01 St. Joseph's Cathedral in Dunedin. Thk latest news from Ireland ia vtry serious, and, we fear, points to the rapid fulfilment of the worst predictions respecting the effects of coercion. Riots have occurred at Fermoy, and another eviction campaign elsewhere has been the occasion of a fierce conflict. Boycotting and moonlighting are also on the increase. Mr. O'Brien has been sentenced to three months imprisonment, but, pending an appeal, has been released on bail. Sir Thomas Esmond and Mr. Arthur O'Connor are gone to America on a lectwing tour, and Mr. Michael Davitt has also gone there, bat not, we may be persuaded, as suggested by the cable, in connection with a Fenian movement for the procuring of rifles and revolvers. The news as it reaches us is of course garbled and uncertain, but there is too good reason to believe that a very threatening state of things exists. We can only hope that the philosophic attitude adopted by Lord Randolph Churchill, has not been caused by any probability of the Government's obtaining the opportunity they have desired all along for settling matters, in the way that would please them best, by shooting the people down. Tkb appeal made by the Times to the Tories to hold office at all hazards and all costs for five years, by which time Mr. Gladstone must have disappeared from public life, and bis policy of deliverance must have perished with him, reminds us of the appeal made by the Czar Nicholas to General Fevrier. When General Fevrier arrived the allied forces in the Ciimea survived his ravages, but the Czar was no longer there to witness the event. The lapse of five years may probably break down Mr. Gladstone's remaining powers, but where will the Tories be at its termination ? The unconcealed fear felt by Lord Salisbury of an appeal to the country may furnish an answer, and form for ub the perfectly cast shadow of those future events. It seems that our jolly friend, Mr. Edwin de Lisle, has not exactly made a bed of roses for himself by bis goingß-on in the House of Commons. He writes to 'he Times to complain that nothing can happen in the way of a noise, no coster-monger's t dnnkey can bray perhaps within hearing distance of the walls of the' House, but the Irish Members cry out " De Lisle."—" No doubt," says he, it anmoys them to be confronted by a Catholic Unionist." And no doubt it does when the Unionist is Mr. De. Lisle. But is there any school of politics on earth his conversion to which could make him an agreeable object to contemplate ? M. db Molinabi, a high authority, gives the actual sum total of the European armies of the day, on their peace footing, as amounting to 3,860,000 men, a figure that, in the time of war, can be increased to 12,455,000. The maintenance of this enormous horde has increased the national debt of Europe since 1870 by close on two thousand millions of pounds. The events ecclesiastical of this year of grace 1887 (says the Sydney Freeman's Journal), will form a bright page in the history of the Church in these Southern lands. The Holy See, acting on the suggestions of the Fathers of the Plenary Council of Sydney, erected five new Episcopal Sees, three new Vicariates-Apostolic, and three Metropolitan Provinces. Foar of the new Sees have had their Bishops consecrated within the short space of a few months, viz., Wilcannia, Sale, Grafton, and Ohristchurch, and Dr. .Hutchinson, the VicarApostolic of Cooktown, has also been consecrated. The See of Port Augusta will shortly rejoice in the possession of its new chief pastor Dr. O'Reilly, whose consecration is expected to take place in Adelaide on the first Sunday of October. Besides the erection of the new Bishoprics the Sovereign Pontiff has also founded the three Metropolitan Sees of Brisbane, Wellington, and Adelaide, and two of the Archbishops, Dr. Reynolds of Adelaide and Dr. Redwood of Wellington have been invested with their palliums. With regard to the Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr. Dnnne, it is not yet known when his investiture with the pallium will take place. The Very Rev. Father Navarre, M.S.H., Vicar -Apostolic of New Guinea, and the Very Rev. Dr. Vidal, S.M., Vicar-Apostolic of Fiji, are both to be consecrated in France. Father Navarre has already left for France, and Dr. Vidal who is at present in Sydney, will proceed there shortly. It may be necessary to explain that though Cooktown has not been erected into an Episcopal See, the Right Rev. Dr. Hutchinson, besides being VicarApostolic of Cooktown, holds the iank and title of Bishop of Maximianopolis in partibus infideliwm. A see, it is understood, will be established before long in Dr. Hutchinson's vicariate, but it is not certain whether it will be Cooktown itself or one of the other towns

in Northern Queensland. The Church, as already mentioned in thea columns, contemplates the appointment of a special Vicar-Apoitolic for the blacks in the Northern parts of Australia. j The London Tablet of August 6, has the following :— " W« understand that there is no foun-iation for the statement which appeared in the Irish Times th&t an inflammatory correspondence has taken place between Mr. Healy and Mr De Lisle. The walkingetick, described as a bludgeon, with which Mr. De Lisle is said to go armed, has been submitted for our inspection. It is an ornamental cane, and was purchased for the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace." Only fancy a swell who carries a particular walkingstick for taking tea in with the Queen, being accused of a capacity for carrying a lump of a thing that must be at least a match for a common Irish shillelagh. Of course the Tablet is loftily indignant. But, at the same time, we see how the " nice conduct of a clouded cane " is consistent with a great deal that the bogs might scorn to produce. Bishop Chatabd reports that the oft-repeated statement mad* that Bishop Nulty, of Meath, Ireland, had taught the same doctrines as to land-ownership that Dr. McGlynn teaches, has been flatly contradicted by the Bishop. Monsignoe Rufjo Soilla (say s the Weekly Register) has •ompleted his report on his mission to England. He gives the highest praiee to all he was able to see of the fervour of English Catholics, the virtue and zeal of the clergy, and the dignity of public worshipHe also speaks of the numerous philanthropic works supported by Catholics, and of the admirable public services rendered by the Cardinal Archbishop. On the subject of diplomatic relations between England and the Holy See the report is not altogether favourable. The time has not arrived, says the Envoy, for anything resembling a nunciature or apostolic delegation in London. Nevertheless, some official link between the British Empire and the Holy See seems to him to be not only expedient, but imperative. The great spread of Catholicism in the English colonies is alone enough to make such a step necessary. We may add, however, that the idea of mutna^ relations between Rome and England is not entertained as possible) even in any near future, by the late Envoy, who discusses only the advantages of a representative from England being accredited to the Vatican. Me. Fbank Richabdson, the Irish correspondent of the Balti* more Sun, reports a recent interview with Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin. As to the Coercion Act, the Archbishop is of opinion that : — " It is probably quite as much on account of its unusually harsh features as for any other reason that the Irish Nationalists look upon it as a measure that England would fully avail itself of as an extreme resort. The Archbishop, attaching only secondary importance to this act, and Jooking upon the amended Land Bill as removing the large portion of the injustices of which the farmers complain, augurs happy prospects for the future. He, too, thinks that in a year or two more an Irish Parliament will again sit in the old Parliament House in Dublin." Loud Charles Bebespobd, the ablest officar of the English Navy, (says the Pilot) was forced to tender his resignation the other week, because he had committed a flagrant act of disrespect to the Queen, by signalling a private despatch to his wife from the deck of the royal yacht while Her Sacred Majesty was on board. He ought to have been hanged, drawn, and quartered for such a sacrilegious deed, but the red-tape high priests leniently let him off with resigning from the service which he had so infamously outraged. May hia grave be defiled I Scranton Truth, commenting on the passage of the Crimes Act» for a practically crimeless country, says :— " It will be strange indeed if the application of this brutal coercion law does not bring forth a crop of crime such as the Tories have not dreamt of. Patience under affliction is heroic, but patience under despotism or tyranny is sometimes contemptible, and if the Tory tyrants crowd the crushed people of Ireland too far, they may yet have occasion to regret their wanton use o£ brutal power." A man named Thomas J. Mooner threw a bottle of some inflammable Btuff on board the English steamer Queen, while she lay at he- 1 dock in New York, the other day, (says the Pilot). On being arrested, he expressed his determination to " make the British bite the dust, in retaliation for the outrages on American fisherman." " The conclusion of the police officials," says the JV. Y. Herald, " was that Mooney was a decided crank." That would seem to be the obvious conclusion concerning anybody who undertook to avenge insults to the American flag ; but the English authorities, on receiving the news by cable, gravely declared that Mooney is well known tVioreasa terrible fellow who committed nearly all the dynamite ou:ja^ci sume years ago. It is wonderful how much the English officials can tell about any " suspect," once they have their eagle eyes on bim. Still nobody doubts that they know a great deal more than anybody else about the so-called dynamite outrages, most or all of which were concocted in Scotland Yard . The Citurday Review takes a gloomy view of the possibilities arising from England's greatnesss,— " We cannot fail," it nays, " if we

direct our thoughts to the subject, to be struck with the analogy between our great Empire and that of ancient Rome, and at the same time, without being pessimists, to feel that there is a grave cause fo r anxiety lest we should share the same fate and crumble away to nothingness and become a mere name and a page, though a large and important, one in history. It seems as if we are destined, as the Romans were, on reaching the zenith of our fame and prosperity, to relapse {into a state of apathy, indifference, 'and luxury, and to commit that most fatal error of living on the reputation we have gained and the successes we have achieved among the nations of the earth. There can be no doubt that when most obstacles have been overcome, and when the struggle for existence and for greatness ha» been triumphantly concluded, nations are apt to give way to a longing for rest, the accumulation of wealth, and the enjoyment o f luxury."— lt is fortunate according to the notions of the Seview tha fc there is one aure way of preservation, and of preventing any of the evils feared. England may keep herself completely on the alert, and sufficiently lively to maintain a wholesome enjoyment of her wealth •nd luxury, by exercising all the savageness of which she is capable on Ireland. The Sydney Morning Herald of a recent date, in announcing the approaching retirement from public life of the Right Hon. W. B. Dalley speaks as follows :— " His health is is such a precarious condition that perfect quiet and freedom from every kind of excitement are absolutely necessary for his recovery. His loss in the discussion of public affaiis will be greatly felt during the coming session of Parliament, when not only will important local questions affecting the well-being of this colony be considered, but alao Imperial matters involving our relations with France and Germany. Mr. Dalley has given great study to those questions which affect our relations with foreign countries generally . It is a great grief to him that he should appear to shirk the responsibility of assisting in dealing wth matters of such paramount importance. Amongst our citizens Mr. Dalley is keld in affectionate regard, and his reappearance in public life will be hailed with satisfaction by the whole colony, however some may differ from him in opinion. We trust that his reappearance is not improbable." A long felt want supplied.— By an entirely new process Mr Armstiong, dentist, is enabled to extract teeth without the slightest p«n,or unpl-as.nt after effects. For years past Mr. Armstrong's artificial work a*> given not only entire satisfaction, but health comfort, happiness, and beauty. He is now in a position to supply the best American and British dentistry at one half former charges. Preservation of natural teeth a specialty. Note address, 172, Princes street, exactly opposite Car^ll's Monument— advt.] Those requiring the services ox a dentist should call on Messrs Myers and Co., Dentists, Octagon, corner of George street. They guarantee highest class work at moderate fees. Their artificial teeth gives general satisfaction, and the fact of them supplying a temporary denture while the gums are healing does away with the inconvenience of being months without teeth. They manufacture a single artific-al tooth for Ten Shillings, and sets equally moderate The administration of nitrous oxide gas is also a great boon to those needing the extraction of a tooth. Read.— Odvt.] In consequence of a dissolution of partnership, Mesßrs Mollison and Dnthie are now aelliug off at their famous drapery estaS ment George street, Dunedin. Goods must go at any price, and no one should lose the opportunity of purchaEing f £ stock-taking sale will commence 'to-morrow. October 1 at the Continental Boot Depot. Princes street, Dunedin. All who want almost incredible bargains had better pay this sale a visit

Bough on Piles.- Why suffer piles? immediate relief and 1 he most horrible of all the railroad accidents that ever occurs in our country took place lately n.ar Chatswo.th, 111 In excurS train on the Toledo, Peoria * Western Railroad, destined to n£S£ Falls and con tain, ngmue hundred passeng- rs, coming from all pita of Illinois , but a large proportion of them from Peoria went tbrouVh a burning bridge. Nearly one hundred were killed, andtSw to fS hundred more or less seriously wounded four The land question to be left to the Irisd Parliament ™eenth.