, 1867-07-30

To the Editor of the "St. CrOix Avis"
My Dear Sir!

My Dear Sir!
l was almost brought to a state of despon-
dency waiting the appearance of something IN
the Avis" relating to my two communications,
when Ooh the joyful moment | saw and read
an article in your paper published on the 10th
July. It was indeed a joyful moment to me,
and you can witness to the fact after / refer
you to the private letter that enclosed my
communication dated 18th of June. There
you will find | remarked 1.-The Spirit has
moved me to write on a subject that have
long had in contemplation. / wish to drdw out
some of our people tickle them up a little
and cause them to come out and say something
that may cast light in dark places-something
to cure one of ennui and bring about an active
reaction" Had l not then a right to be joyful
when | read the article penned by your able
correspondent "CAUsTIC"? He has opened O
broad path to all who can aUrtte to write He
has carefully laid before the public the subjects
upon which they should write He has written
most emphatically about the great privilege
granted in "the nse of . free press" which
privilege "ias done So much good in other
countries" lie has given praise to the mother
country for @canting % these colonies legisla-
tive power To open a broad road to advance
ment if We would use the opportunity. And,
to crown the whole, he has given the following
graphic catalogue of subjects with which he
seems quite familiar. This catalogue | take
leave to quote as follows:
|. "The Colonial Council and its sittings, the
publication of its proceedings. 2. The custom
department. 3. The Courts which are open to
all who would interest themselves to listen to
the various suits carried on in them. 4. The
Schools. 5. Municipal conveniences. 6. The
police. z. The roads. s. The BrandcOrps
with the whole fire department. 9. The ship
ping and 10. Trades and profess
sions. II. Taxation. IL. Agriculture. ID.
Burgherbriefs and licences. IA. The many
well-paid Offices contrasted with the badly paid
ones. Is. The moral, social, and religious
condition of our people. And, 16. The etc" -
meaning of ~course-matters too numerous to
mention.
Here, then, have we a textbook from which
to select such subjects as we are best qualified
to treat upon. Let us take the only means
offered most of US Of forwarding an opinion
advancing a proposition, correcting an error, or
combating with the enemy Of justice and equity.
Most of the subjects, many of us are aware,
will not be very ~paIatable to certain parties,
vet we might hope that, after a time, they may
be brought to tolerate and see them - not
through a veil as now-in so lucid, transparent,
and clear a point of view, that their prejudices
will vanish before them. Those not capable
of weighing and judging matters of Importance
we must expect, will endeavour to ridicule,
deride or laugh at them,-will call what they
cannot understand, foolishness. These, there
fore, must stand excused, and, either entirely
disregarded or else looked upon with pity.
Welijudging, liberal minds are to be found
amongst us. They will be drawn out, sooner
or later, to espouse the good cause! They
cannot continue to labour under the present
Adull dragging system"-maintained throughout
the length and breadth of the island-which
serves only to clog our minds, and retard or
thoroughly destroy our best energies +; but,
finding themselves surrounded by a chain OF