The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-11

the colony under the protection of the government,
which was exposed to destruction by the drain OF its
labor towards those countless treasures which that
government avished 80 profusely and recklessly.
We proved that no system for regulating the work
ing Of the gold fields. or for collecting revenue
from the miners could be permanent or effectual
which did not rest on the respect due not merely
to legal authority, but to armed and energetic
force. The very welfare Of the miners themselves
demanded that they should not be abandoned to the
excuses OF wild and perilous anarchy The gold
itself furnished an obvious and abundant means
Of defraying this necessary expense, which was,
indeed, no more than what was requisite for the
collection Of this branch Of revenue. We cannot
doubt that except for the peculiar infecity of their
position and the mutated and inadequate nature of
their powers, the governments of New South Wales
and Victoria would at least have made some effort to
discharge their duty in this respect But here inter-
vened the vice of colonial system We have been
careful to make the governors Of colonies little
than corresponding clerks of the Col0nialofice,
and we cannot expect them all at once, because a
great emergency arises to expand to the dimensions
Of bold and practical statesmen. We must not COM
plain that men who are allowed power will under
take but little responsibility besides we had COM
plicated the establishment Of the police with other
difficulties of our own creating. Out OF what fund
was this body to Ike paid Out Of the taxes levied
in the colony, which are at the disposition OF the
local Legislature, or out of the land fund.- which is
at the disposal Of the Lords Of her Majestys Urea
sury The home authorities would have had no OBJ
lection to such force raised ont Of the taxes
the coloniss would, doubtless little cav at its
being paid for out Of the land fund. If the revenue
Of the colony had been placed altogether in the hands
Of the or the other, obvious necessity would have
forced its employment as it is nothing eiectual
appears to be done. The result is exactly what
we predicted. A large body of persons is ga
thercd together, containing among them
the most desperate and depraved of the
human race. They know no law, and recognize no
authority. Every man goes armed, and nobody trusts
10 any protection but such as his own hand give
him. The demands Of the government for the license
fee are treated with contempt. Not to pay is the
rule TO pay Is the exceptionan exception only made
when IL is wished to obtain marketable title to
claim. As government has abandoned its treasure
to the rapacty of the public every other employ
ment however useful or necessary soever, is aban
doned No wages can retain domestic servants; no
promises, no threats, can keep seamon TO their duty
hundred ships are rotting in the mrbor of Mel
bourne, the roads arc becoming impossible, the
nocks intended the fields untitled the dwellings nm
repaired. Tic whole population has gone forth to
piiage The wealth q the government, and the go
vermont Is spcb0uud, and can no more stir in de-
Tense OF it, rights than Ferdinand under the rod OF
Prospero. Had vigorous and manly stand been
made in tie first intance-had the authorities col.
lectcd together Ny offering pay Of "a amount con-