The cause of "the patriotic six," as they were called, was eagerly espoused by the colony. To supply the vacancies occasioned by their retirement was the labor of weeks. The governor defended himself from the charge of despotism, and declared that he would never interrupt the freedom of debate or attempt to force the compliance of the council. The opposition press held up to scorn those disposed to accept a nomination, and gentlemen who did so were assailed with scandalous abuse,--so easily is the noblest cause degraded by its friends. A more suitable expression of popular feeling was given on the return of Mr. Dry to his native town. He was escorted by a large concourse of people and with all the usual tokens of public esteem. The father of Mr. Dry was exiled during the political troubles of Ireland in the last century, and after a respectable career attained considerable wealth. The son, the first legislator chosen from the country-born, the colonists saw with pleasure consecrate himself to the cause of his native land. Mr. Gregson, the leader of the opposition, was honored in a more substantial form. A body of his admirers, by contributions of large amounts, raised a testimonial in the shape of 2,000 guineas, and plate with a suitable inscription. On no previous occasion had public sympathy so attended political controversy, and never was the legislative freedom of the country more earnestly desired. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 232: Agricultural Dinner, October 18, 1843.] [Footnote 233: Despatch, June 28, 1843.] [Footnote 234: Despatch, No. 34, 1843.] [Footnote 235: NO TAXATION! A meeting will be held at the Theatre. Auctioneers, rise at our bidding. Pawnbrokers, pledge the public your interest. Butchers, show your pluck. Publicans, prove your spirit. Stage-coachmen, drive on. Cabmen, make a stand. Carters, put your shoulders to the wheel. Eating-house keepers, support the constitution. Boatmen, a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether. God save the Queen! August 6, 1845.] [Footnote 236: Despatch. December 5, 1843.] [Footnote 237: January 24, 1845.] [Footnote 238: Despatch, Jan. 31, 1845.] [Footnote 239: Correspondence, January 5, 1843.] [Footnote 240: Mr. Maclean's Report, 1844.] [Footnote 241: Dr. Hampton's Report.] [Footnote 242: Despatch, January, 1845.] [Footnote 243: Mr. O'Connor, however, had protested against the police expenses in the following terms:--"Because, were this not a penal colony, one-third of its present police force would be adequate to its protection. I therefore do not consider that in common justice the colonial government ought to be required to defend themselves, at their own expense, against the aggression of convicts sent hither principally for the benefit of the mother country" (July, 1844).] [Footnote 244: Letter of Captain Swanston to Lord Stanley.] [Footnote 245: Despatch to Sir G. Gipps, Jan. 1st, 1845.] SECTION II.