The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-07
The Nationality Of Australia.


Amongst the miscellaneous mass OF new arrivals.
we meet oc ,asionslly with intelligent and honest
hearted men, who have encountered the hicdSaips
and sorrows of emigration not altogether Tor the
sakc Of filthy ucre, but with fonJy cherlshed idea,
at the same time Of contributing their exertions to-
wards the consolid alton of free ana prosperous
commonwealth, which shall be to them, and 70 their
children after them, country aud nome. Sacn
men are often the victims OF aniaole deilsous, Dut
when their courage is commensurate with their
hopes and their practical genius as powerful a their
political faith, they valuable accession TO
community like ours and bring with .hen Tue m a
legitimate title to citizenship; inasmuch as they
transfer to their adopted country that amor Pdtr9
which will knit them to to the soil, aud taa'
vital energy which will secure their social assimila
ton; and extravagant as may someone's De sn g,
expectations of present gam or their dreams OF fu
tre progress, they only share the almost universal
conviction Of the civilized world regarding our de5-
tiny.
shot 40 RAPIDLY ahead OF public sentiment amongs.
us, that hopeful men, stimulated by the prevailing
tone now adopted by the English press, very soon
after their arrival here haY damper put upon
their aspirations. They fod The machinery OF LOCAL
government and the existence of a free pres but
anything in the shape of distinctive political prlnci
pies political parties and political progress they
win no. find. The press speaks out loudly enough
at times, but the people are Indifferent Popular
interests are trampled upon by unpopular rners out
other matters occupy public attention. In vain does
philosophical radicalism take the rens o. colonial
government at home, while the local legislature has
no fear OF the public before its eyes and tangible
public opinion TO prapple wt1. We do not forget
individual instances Of successful agitation. We
are glad, even now 70 the progress Of agitation
at the diggings were II only for the sake of the
esprit de corps which II viii foster.
But wholesale agtstions in this colony, for any
purpose whatever, are few and IA. between. Indi-
vdualism IL too rampant 10 admit Of that degree OF
social fusion necessary for united public effort Mel
bourne Is q Market not q city and Victoria is an
encampment, not community. People are here to
make money, and to be Off again quickly possible
The numerical increase Of the population, and the
anarchical tendencies OF our commercial circum
stances have not been accompanied by correspond
ing increase of socializing Influences. Legslat IL
has ONLY aggravated the evils it tried TO reme1y
and the church does not seem 70 be conscious Of an
mission Il has to fulfil In such an emergency, beyont
opepinp it's conventcles for the ordinary routine o
worship The social fabric is held together by
golden chain which indeed keeps 1t In position 0
mechanical equilibrium, but perineates 1t With n
vital force gives IL no organic unity and endows
with no common consciousness OF destiny TO b
realized duties to be performed, interests 10 0
maintained and ri yhts to be won.
Hence the common appre CLEMSON, tnat were tn
digging TO fall of the country would be deserted,
temsin for ever q mere continent Of sheep-runs an
that instead OF being precipitated into nation
we should have TO recommence our long and laoor
Gus journey through the wilderness Of colonial d.
. 9radation 70 the promised land OF " freedom and u
dependence Such an apprehension, whether I
rect not. IL at leas: ndlc tive OF an aspect on sA
which CANNOT be vie vd without regret
II is, indeed supposed - bv = sfact u uc feature