Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1858-12-15
Judge ReagIn.

tNsen vac
ln his late speeehe, in his Congressional
District, Judge Reagan has given offence Il
some Of his old friends, and he may have alien
ated their sympalhies. Nevertheless, he ha'
boldly and openly defined his position, so a'
TO leave no doubt as to where he stands upor
the issues which are likely to divide The
Southern people He has struck the popular
pulse, and will be sustained by the Masses IL
spite OF the extremists. The Judge Is, ol
itas, just before the August election, nm ex'
trcme "organizer," and promulgated sentiments
inconsistent with pure Democratic tenetS.--
He fell into the too common error, Of suppos-
ing that political considerations should enter
into judicial nominations and elections, and
that surrender OF individual choice TO the
actions of all Conventions, was q necessity, il
not virtue. This error is pardonOble in n
young man, over-zeaous for the success Of his
party, even regardless of the moral fitness Of
candidates. II in his letter, drawn ont, like
that speech which Bryan never made, and
that answer which he was said TO have given,
Judge Reagan pleased the organizers, his sub
sequent course has given them one graRde
disguste, and the only reason that Tray,
Blnnchean Sweetheart do not bark at his
heels, is that the Judge is stronger than the
whole pack, and they know it. Therefore
they only occasionally show their teeth. But
at the proper time, and on the proper occasion,
they will show their resentment
Judge Reagan has defined his position upon
the re.opening of the African slave trade. He
has "oflended;" though in pausing for re.
ply he gets none. The Judge, too, has clear
ly comprehcnded that this clamor, and the
Southern League, "Young South disunion
movement, all have an intimate connection
So he has just added Rlibusterng on, and de.
nouncing the whole rs piratical efforts at dis
solving the glorious conlederacy. The strength
of his language has often been dstosteful, as
was the language Of, Wise against Know
Nothinesm. Indeed, Judge Reagan has a
most unhappy mack of often calling things by
their names, and of guessing at mems mo-
tives, when they think they are deeply veiled
Judge Reagan is a little Respondent about
the perpetuity of the Union; nevertheless his
views are generally y eminently conservative
He will not encourage reasonable compotlngs
or Quixottc expeditions, because of future
apprehensons.
As member Of Congress, Judge Reagan
has been fearless and independent. In this
spirit, sometimes he gave votes which we
could not approve; nevertheless he took the
responsibility of them, and stands ready to-
settle the account with his constituents.
We believe that nearly all Texans admired
the open and manly course Of Judge Reagan,
in delicate matter about which our people
have long felt deep interest. We allude to
the impeachment of Judge Watrous. In the
House and before the committee he shrunk
from no responsibility. He marched up to
the full sentiment of Texas, and demanded
an investigation into charges which affected
the honor of Texan and Of Texas. Ile had
no debates with himself about the duty of the
man as contra-dstnguished from the R'pre-
sentatire. He was willing to do his whole
duty, and to see that others did theirs
Whenever an opportunity shall be offered
for Judge Reagans course to be fully known,
there is nothing in his career which the peo-
I pie will more appreciate than his readiness TO
respond to the public sentiment even when be
incurred the censure of working loJby.
/ Politicians, anxious for new planks and new
Platforms may carp at this rising young man.
But the people will acknowledge that he has
done much to roll back the tide of sectional
fanaticism and whenever the issues are fair
" made, the disunioniss will find themselves
fiat of their backs in Texas.-AuStin Intel.