The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-15
The Federation of Australia.

The objections taken 70 the measure so far
proceed almost wholly from the radical ranks.
There are those who desire that the limita-
ton Of each man Shall be made condition
precedent 10 the establishment 0f the new
constitution others fOresee danger in the
special powers of suggestion entrusted 10 the
Senate while third party desire that tie
State representative in the upper chamber
shall be elected ly the people directly.
In New South Wales few politicians
oppose the scheme because they know 10 will
necessarily imply an Australian system Of
protection: while few prOtectOnlsts IN We
toria dread tho operation OF inter colonial
free trade: hut neither of these opinions is
likely 20 prove Of importance. The conserya-
tive aspiration for q supreme Senate seems
T. have been abandoned, aud dislike 20 the
republican ring OF the name Commonwealth
TO have died away. The labor party suspect
the bill more because of tho men who sup
port it than from am definite apprehensons
so that If the Federal issue could be
fairly and separately submitted 20 the
people In all the colonies 1t would IN all
likelihood result IN q majority on the side OF
union. Whatever may he the outcome Of the
party struggles which now as always occupy
the chief place in tie local parliamenis. and
may be the means OF obscuring or temper
arily defeating federation. tho power that
makes for union Is certain ultimately 20 ac-
complish its end Nor should il be many
years before this consummatlon is reached
seeing that the whole subject has
now been thrashed out and a practical
scheme submitted upon which criticism can
exhaust itself so a. TO educate public opinion.
Ii cannot be set aside without discussion by
even the most narrow party men, and criti-
clsm is likely 60 commend IL IN the long run
& thoughtful citizens The bill is not per
feet, but whatever us faults when Jl ged by
an ideal standard. 1t Is the crown and culm.-
nation Of 4 long effort after union.
which, partly blind and partly con-
sciOus. partly occas oned by the pres
sure Of external need and partly in
spiTed by q deep national aspiration
has produced in its due time birth which
must be reckoped with for the future. no
matter what It's immediate fate may be. The
draft constitution is at least q landmark. and
III all likelihood very much more than that.
even under most adverse circumstances. IL
is an embodiment of a great principle which
may be superseded. but cannot be
enaced or ignored All sections Of the
population have contributed in their
turn 10 the task of preparing for It,
The Australian born Wentworth. who led
the way. IS 10 lowed By an earnest thr0ng of
his countrymen. who. through their special
association. have done much 10 MAINTAIN and
extend the ambition Tor uuion. From his
time 20 the present hOur leauel5 OF the move
ment have risen indil erently from the sew
eral natonalities and the several colonies
the In .lishmen Iarkes and Playford. the
Scotchmen Service and Gillies, the Irish
men Duffy and Macrossan, and the
Welshmsn Griffith. The press IS al,
but unanimous in its favor. and
il is at least a. able and influential here q, Ia
the other Anglo Saxon communities. The
cause OF union, sacred 70 the he IT'S OF tens OF
thousands now. will cont nue. - grow upon
them and 70 inspire Others until it attlins IL,
exalted aim. When its Commonwealth Is
established Australia will have acquired an
august political organization. capa 10 Of To-
spending 10 the fullest demands Of national
life; within which all the latent forces Of its
people may expand without diihcuty or dau-
ger. peacefully attain NC their free frution
under the shelter OF citizen army and nm
elective fleet. without peer or rival IN the
Southern seas Scribners Magazine.