An Open Letter June 1, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, JUNE 1, 1895.

An Open Letter.

To the Hon. T. J. Byrnes.

Sir – Your personality is one which attracts considerable attention from thoughtful men. At the same time a certain element of doubt clouds their admiration of you. They are uncertain whether you are a sincere legislator who delays striking a blow till the time is ripe, or an ambitious trimmer intriguing with Jesuitical skill – or a combination of both.

The workers of this colony have followed your career with hope – hope, alas, which, deferred, is making their hearts sick. Born a Democrat, they pleased themselves with visions of a Queensland Lincoln – an Australian Henry Clay. But as success attended your course a change came o'er the spirit of their dream. They now anxiously wonder whether you really wish to benefit earth's poor, and are merely waiting for clearer light as to the how, and for suitable opportunities; or whether your steps are not now turned wholly to personal ambition – a premiership, a seat on the Privy Council, and a title.

Your ability is admitted. “He who has a name for early rising may sleep late.” Your University career was eminently successful, though in those early days competition was somewhat limited and far from keen. Success was then, for a clever lad, easy. But let me, as an admirer, admit that you are certainly an able man. The name you once gained has stuck to you ever since, and the reputation so gained has somewhat smoothed the path for you.

Time will yet tell whether your ability has been over-rated – whether you have not seemed a Triton because among minnows! Let us hope, for Queensland's sake, that when weighed in the balances you will not be found wanting. Your patriotism is undoubted. Of Irish birth, you have never felt ashamed of Ireland, but have striven as one of her sons to glorify her. True, your enemies have asserted that this is put on for political purposes – for popularity. But I, sir, believe you sincere in this respect, at any rate.

It is not wise, sir, to introduce “bones of contention” among our Queenslanders. But let me say that you have won the hearty respect of men of many sects by your manly pride in your faith. You have never concealed the warmth of your interest in and the depth of your respect for your church. Nay, sir, we feared that, from this very earnestness, you, with the Hon. A. J. Thynne's assistance, were contemplating changes in our educational system. We respect the motive which prompts your wish, but this must never be. Your detractors say that your zeal for the faith is but part of a tacit bargain – a discharge of past obligations. For your church has been your greatest help (next to your ability), and she deserves well of you; but not at the expense of other men's consciences. I, sir, believe you sincere in this matter, and that you are not zealous for mere political considerations. These may exist, but are not, I think, your prime motives.

It is commonly thought, sir, by your foes that you are at a critical point in your life. Political honours tempt you on the one hand, judicial glories on the other. Which may it be?

Your claims to the Premiership are undoubtedly strong. The Cabinet is, with the exception of Mr. Dalrymple, intellectually mediocre. The colony progresses not because of them, but in spite of them. Mr. Tozer would have no shadow of a chance in the struggle were it not that many (of whom I am one) fear your ambition, doubt your disinterestedness, and are dubious as to what unlooked-for measures the logical result of your patriotism (racial) and your faith (exclusive) might bring in.

Your motion as to the advisability of adding to Her Majesty's advisers is considered by your calumniators to be a plum intended by you for your own mouth. But, sir, there are many years, many events, and many strange turns in fortune's wheel between this and then. I do not believe you are actuated by such visionary ambitions. Were you ambitious, some nearer object would engage your present attention. Let us credit you with a disinterested aim.

You, sir, like Seneca's man who “lived much,” aim at making a mark in many fields, and the Rev. Mr. Fitchett lauds you as a connoisseur in literature. “save us from our friends.” We doubt not that, were your mind wholly turned to letters, you would “ do excellent well.” But knowing that your spare time is limited, and that you can but be a “dabbler” here, regret the ill-advised action of the reverend cleric in unconsciously exposing the “nakedness of the land” by holding aloft your somewhat fulsome and superficial critique on Queensland's bard.

Sir, it does not become kings to play at counters, nor statesmen pressed for time to exposes themselves and their real ability to misjudgement.

To conclude, sir, I am no orator as Brutus is, but were I Brutus, then, sir, the hearts of the workers would rejoice in confidence when a champion worthy of their cause stood forth fearlessly their leader, and, throwing transient political honours to the winds, stepped forth and turned to things of the past the regrets and doubts of.

JUNIUS  THE  LITTLE.