Fix this text
THE BULLENTIN
Fix this textVol. s.—No. 63,
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1881.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this textSATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1881.
Fix this textFoiled Fanatics.
Fix this textA moee ludicrous instance of reckoning without
Fix this textthe host than was furnished by the ultra-Sabba-
Fix this texttarians in the Legislative Assembly, under the
Fix this textentirely appropriate leadership of Ninian Mel-
Fix this textville, could scarcely be conceived. Whom the
Fix this textgods design to destroy they first afflict with mad-
Fix this textness, says an ancient adage. The conspirators
Fix this textagainst personal liberty had gradually worked
Fix this textthemselves up into a condition of light-headedness.
Fix this textThey were puffed up with small successes, which
Fix this textthey were too infatuated to perceive meant
Fix this textnothing, and deluded by appearances which
Fix this textseemed to be specially arranged for their mystifi-
Fix this textcation. They had managed to force their coercive
Fix this textwill upon the Sydney School of Arts, and fancied,
Fix this textpoor creatures, that a similar transaction in Par-
Fix this textliament would differ in nothing except the scale
Fix this textof the operation. This was natural enough to
Fix this textpeople in their frame of mind. They could not
Fix this textafford to confess even to themselves that their
Fix this textvictory at the School of Arts was merely due to a
Fix this textsort of corrupt practice. They would have
Fix this textstrenuously denied to any enquirer that they owed
Fix this texttheir success on that occasion solely to a brazen
Fix this textrecourse to roll-stuffing. They would have scouted
Fix this textwith hysteric passion any statement to the effect
Fix this textthat had the decision been left to the ordinary
Fix this textmembers and habitual users of the School of Arts,
Fix this textthe Sunday opening would have been approved.
Fix this textThey dared not let their minds dwell upon the
Fix this textshifts and dodges they had recourse to, to snatch
Fix this textthat victory. They were compelled by the exi-
Fix this textgencies of their professions and situation to forget
Fix this textthese facts with all their might, and to invent for
Fix this texttheir mutual satisfaction a shallow legend to the
Fix this texteffect that their adversaries are a handful of
Fix this textwicked and perverse people, diabolically active,
Fix this textbut hopelessly estranged from the sympa-
Fix this textthies of the community as a whole. Having
Fix this textbeen under the necessity of solacing their
Fix this textuneasy consciences with this flattering fiction,
Fix this textthey proceeded to act upon it. But this was not
Fix this textthe only delusion which afflicted them. Since the
Fix this textgreat Sir Henry struck the religious line of
Fix this textbusiness, and was inspired with the idea of arrang-
Fix this texting his eternal salvation by palming a series of
Fix this textpious promissory notes upon his Maker, the whole
Fix this textarmy of fanatics has come to regard him as a sort
Fix this textof brevet Apostle, and to look upon him as little
Fix this textshort of inspired. As some of the old savour of
Fix this textworldliness still clung around their idol, they
Fix this textinstinctively reckoned by that also in some degree,
Fix this text—and remembering how sedulously Sir Henry
Fix this texthas at all times striven to trim, and how frequently
Fix this texthe has succeeded in trimming his personal con-
Fix this textvictions to the prevailing blast of public opinion
Fix this texttor the time being, they were immensely encouraged
Fix this textby his declaring for their views. It appeared to
Fix this textthem, probably, that they must be safe in suppos-
Fix this texting they had a sweeping majority at their backs
Fix this textsince Sir Henry Parkes had committed himself
Fix this textk° Ju ir without any of those reservations
Fix this textor that shuffling which profane people pretended
Fix this texthe used in his unregenerate days to signalize that
Fix this texthe was feeling round for the safest seat. But, as it
Fix this texthappened, poor Sir Henry has not yet attained
Fix this textinspiration; and just this once—very awkwardly,
Fix this textnot only for himself, but for the unlucky social-
Fix this texttetters men—he had completely mistaken the sense
Fix this textof the public. He fancied, apparently, that be-
Fix this textcause the cause of Secular Education had served
Fix this texthim as an irresistible wave upon which to ride to
Fix this textP*? wer > and inasmuch as members of Protestant
Fix this textchurches were prominent in swelling that wave, 1
Fix this textand some Sabbatarians are conspicuously con-
Fix this textnected with Churches, that therefore as many as
Fix this textavoured Secular Education would support ex-
Fix this textaggerated Sabbatarianism. To him probably each
Fix this textm °,T® me nt appeared very much alike. Each was a
Fix this textpolitical engine to him, and the differences in the
Fix this textprinciples involved, profound as these differences
Fix this textare most likely never engaged his attention. In
Fix this texteach case he perceived very much the same body
Fix this textfug.emen making a great fuss about affairs
Fix this texteemmgiy not dissimilar, and the inference would
Fix this textnggest itself as equally in each case that it would
Fix this texta line adopt the ticket. It does not
Fix this textkaye occurred to either Sir Henry or the
Fix this textof u 1?. e circumscribers of other people’s liberty
Fix this texti action that a yast proportion of those who lent
Fix this texttheir aid to the movement for secular education
Fix this textdid so expressly because they were actuated by a
Fix this textdetermined repugnance to anything like clerical or
Fix this textsectarian _ domination. They constituted the
Fix this textmajority in favor of getting rid of thraldom then,
Fix this textand they form the majority opposed to admitting
Fix this textit now. Nothing except the infatuation of bigotry
Fix this textcould have prevented the phylactery-men from
Fix this textcomprehending that this would be so. Freedom
Fix this textis not understood by any except bigots or idiots as
Fix this textthe right to_ prevent others from doing anything
Fix this textexcept what is pleasing to ourselves. No person has
Fix this textattempted to interfere with the freedom of priests or
Fix this textparsons to preach or of congregations to enter the
Fix this textchurches. Physiologically, we believe such a
Fix this textmethod of occupying the day of rest injurious to
Fix this textmost persons who are occupied during the week in
Fix this textsedentary occupations. Intellectually even, it
Fix this textwould be exhausting to such individuals as have
Fix this textto exercise their faculties greatly in their ordinary
Fix this textavocations were it not that the quality of the
Fix this textpreacher’s lucubrations is not generally of a
Fix this textstandard involving any great intellectual strain
Fix this textupon the hearers. But every man has a right to
Fix this textchoose how he will spend his day. It is not
Fix this textbecause they go to church that the anti-sabbat-
Fix this texttarians have fallen into such disrepute, but because,
Fix this textfancying they had the power to play the tyrant,
Fix this textthey showed their disposition to impose their
Fix this textauthority to deprive others of personal
Fix this textfreedom. They may perhaps be blunderheaded
Fix this textenough to try again. They will certainly pursue
Fix this texttheir crazy infatuation wherever they see a chance,
Fix this textas at Schools of Arts and institutions of that kind.
Fix this textwell to pause and consider
Fix this textwhether they may not provoke reprisals, and find
Fix this textsome day a righteous majority (all majorities are
Fix this textrighteous) turn their own weapons upon them,
Fix this textand try how they like the edge of a Parliamentary
Fix this textu i °l° se churches on Sundays, and indict
Fix this textall clergymen for “ pursuing their ordinary avoca-
Fix this texttions on a Sunday.” The advocates of freedom
Fix this textmay yet go crazy in turn, may abuse their power,
Fix this textand may find a Paekes to be their catspaw, and
Fix this textmake catspaws of them—perhaps Sir (Henry
Fix this texthimself, fresh adjusted to suit the times.
Fix this textThe Hon. John Campbell, M.L.C.
Fix this textWhat part of the British empire is there that has
Fix this textnot been distinguished by the wisdom or the
Fix this textprowess of the Clan Campbell ? In the Mother-
Fix this textland, in India’s “ burning zone,” amid the frozen
Fix this textsnows of Canada, have scions of that illustrious
Fix this textHouse won fame and fortune. It is significant,
Fix this texttoo, that their achievements have been equally
Fix this textremarkable in war and in peace—in the councils of
Fix this textthe nation and the counting-houses of merchant
Fix this textprinces. The annals of Australia are illumined and
Fix this textenriched with the name for three generations ; and
Fix this textit is not likely in the bright future —of whose dawn
Fix this textwe can already mark the indications —that it will
Fix this textdisappear. Many men, who made a more ephemeral
Fix this textreputation than the two worthy whilom owners of
Fix this textCampbell’s Wharf, are now comparatively for-
Fix this textgotten. The late Ben. Boyd is barely a tradition,
Fix this textand few Australians know what the intelligence of
Fix this textmen like Henry O’Brien, of Yass, and many others
Fix this textwe could mention, did in hard and trying times
Fix this textfor the country. The Campbells occupy a very
Fix this textdifferent position in popular recollections from
Fix this textthe individuals alluded to. They have from
Fix this texttheir youth upwards been identified with the
Fix this textpolitical and social amelioration of their native
Fix this textland—in the encouragement of Art, Literature,
Fix this textand Religion. This assertion, true though it is'
Fix this textdoes not convey the whole truth. It is not enough
Fix this textto say that they have been “liberals” in politics
Fix this textand philanthropists in promoting the welfare of
Fix this texttheir fellow man. To accentuate this statement,
Fix this textit is to put it more emphatically, and
Fix this textassert that they have never breathed a breath in
Fix this textany antipopular cause, or ever, even for an hour,
Fix this textjoined the side of the once powerful oligarchs of
Fix this textthe colony. This is the more remarkable, as well
Fix this textas creditable, inasmuch as by birth, education, and
Fix this textwealth they had all th.e prestige of the very pink of
Fix this textswells,” or “pure merino” as they (the oli-
Fix this textgarchs) were designated. It is difficult to treat of
Fix this textthe public career of the Hon. John Campbell
Fix this textunless we associate him with the bright, manful,
Fix this textand intelligent conduct of his late hon. brother—
Fix this texta man honorable in every sense of the word—the
Fix this textlate Robert Campbell, a merchant of Calcutta,
Fix this textwho caane on business in connection with a ship-
Fix this textwreck in 1796. On his return to India, he spoke
Fix this textso favorably of the mother-colony as a place for
Fix this textprofitable mercantile enterprise, that he returned
Fix this textin the ship Hunter to settle in Sydney, which he
Fix this textdid in 1797, and here married a Miss Palmer,
Fix this textafterwards distinguished for her charities. After
Fix this textsome conflict with monopolists and speculators,
Fix this texthe managed to start a lucrative trade,
Fix this texton the spot where his famous wharf
Fix this textwas afterwards erected. Curiously enough, his
Fix this textplace of business was called Campbell’s “ go-
Fix this textdowns” for many years—certainly up to 1827.
Fix this textHis name heads the list of merchants for that year
Fix this textin Howe’s Almanac and Directory. The name of
Fix this textRobert Campbell, junior, ship owner and
Fix this textmerchant, Bligh-street, is also recorded there.
Fix this textMr. John Campbell is probably the oldest native
Fix this textof Sydney, as he was born here in 1802, and is the
Fix this textsenior of Mr. George Hill by more than a year.
Fix this textHe was taken to England in 1810, where he
Fix this textremained at school till 1819, when he returned to
Fix this textthe colony, and began business in his father’s
Fix this textcounting-house. Assiduous and prompt, he soon
Fix this textenlarged the transactions of the firm, and helped
Fix this textto lay the foundations of that princely fortune in
Fix this textwhich the churches and charities of Sydney have
Fix this textlargely participated. His manners have been
Fix this textalways unassuming, but extremely courteous, and
Fix this textalthough all his sympathies were with the party
Fix this textof progress—with the Wentworths, the Blands,
Fix this textand the Lowes —still he refrained from entering
Fix this textpublic life till his election for the representation
Fix this textof the Sydney Hamlets in the Legislative
Fix this textAssembly (1856). His brother Robert, a man of a
Fix this textmore fiery temperament, and who possessed a
Fix this textdashing manner, had come to the front in oppo-
Fix this textsition to transportation and in demanding
Fix this texta Constitution for the colony. He presided at
Fix this textmost of the great meetings held at Macquarie-
Fix this textplace, in 1848 and ’49, to protest against the
Fix this textduplicity and bad faith of Earl Gray in attempt-
Fix this texting to revive transportation somewhat dimly
Fix this textveiled from its old hideous forms—notwithstanding
Fix this textthat an Order in Council had several years pre-
Fix this textviously been made for its prohibition. Robert
Fix this textCampbell was one of the most resolute leaders of
Fix this textthe agitation that ensued, and to him the country
Fix this textis much indebted for a prevention of so obnoxious
Fix this texta revival. It may not be out of place to quote a
Fix this textfew stanzas, written a few days after his death, to
Fix this textshow how greatly revered he was, and to show
Fix this textalso the special qualities which won him reve-
Fix this textrence :
Fix this text“ An honest man’s the noblest work of God!”
Fix this textThe poet chanted to us long ago;
Fix this textAlas ! We’ve laid beneath the grave’s cold sod
Fix this textThe mortal part of one supremely so!
Fix this textThere are of readier speech and apter phrase—
Fix this textQuicker of wit—more deep to plot and plan—
Fix this textThau thou hast been; but those who knew thy ways
Fix this textEmphatically called thee honest man 1
Fix this textOh, genial eye, that ne’er saw want in vain;
Fix this textOh, open hand, too ready to relieve;
Fix this textOh, willing sympathy with woe and pain—
Fix this textNow for the first time cold! We well may grieve.
Fix this textTo return to the subject proper of our sketch:
Fix this textit is satisfactory to be in a position to state that,
Fix this textsince the Hon. John Campbell’s appointment to
Fix this textthe Legislative Council, he has devoted a con-
Fix this textsiderable amount of time to the duties of his
Fix this textposition. He was nominated in 1860, and still
Fix this textretains his seat. There are some semi-public acts
Fix this textof distinguished citizens that we cannot submit to
Fix this textthe garish light of journalistic eulogy—such, for
Fix this textinstance, as a gentleman’s acts of benevolence or
Fix this textcharity. It will suffice for the present that, in
Fix this textthis respect, Mr. John Campbell has not been
Fix this textexcelled by his noble and generous brother
Fix this textRobert, and that is saying a great deal on the
Fix this textsubject. Although not distinguished as a Par-
Fix this textliamentary debater —in fact, having no pretensions
Fix this textwhatever to oratory—it is well known that Mr.
Fix this textCampbell devotes his best thought and attention,
Fix this textto every subject of importance that comes before
Fix this texthim as a legislator, and may certainly be looked
Fix this textupon as the Nestor of the Council. "What a line
Fix this textof distinguished contemporaries has he known—
Fix this textGovernors, like Bourke and Young; statesmen,
Fix this textlike Deas-Thomson, Charles Cowper, and Hubert
Fix this textPlunkett; clergymen, like Bishop Broughton and
Fix this textthe Rev. Archdeacon Cowper! He is still hale
Fix this textand hearty, full of days, and most deservedly
Fix this texthonoured in his native land.
Fix this textThe Intercolonial Boat Race.
Fix this textThe intercolonial eight-oar race, to be decided over
Fix this textthe champion conrse, Parramatta Eiver, on this
Fix this text(Saturday) afternoon, promises to be the grandest
Fix this textaquatic struggle yet witnessed in Australia. Hitherto,
Fix this texteach of the two contesting colonies has been successful
Fix this texton its own waters, and from all appearances the rule
Fix this textwhich has so far been established bids fair to hold good
Fix this textin the issue of this year’s race. The time-trials of the
Fix this texttwo crews have given almost identical results; but
Fix this textthough the representatives of each colony are equally
Fix this textconfident of being first to pass the now historic
Fix this text“ Brothers,” the more equal distribution of weight and
Fix this textpower over the New South Wales boat, coupled with
Fix this textthe fact that our men seem to be possessed of staying
Fix this textpowers superior to those of their rivals, points to the
Fix this textconclusion that victory will, on this occasion, remain
Fix this textwith the light-blue—and this though the contest may
Fix this textmaintain its interest from start to finish.
Fix this textTHE HON. JOHN CAMPBELL, M.L.C.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-130173216
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved July 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-130173216
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 23 July 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-130173216>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 23 July 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-130173216
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 5 No. 63 (9 Apr 1881)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-130173216
| id=nla.obj-130173216
| access-date=23 July 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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