Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1859-07-20

I
government, and is always the basis Of our bet
ter Judgment. | address myself TO tho reason o
the democracy of Texas, and ask, why II is, tina
the nominees of tho Houston convention hay
not their hearty and ardent support. Has tn
| democratic platform been changed, or stricken
a down. No. The Cincinnati platform, and tn
resolutions of '9S as rc-anirmed by the Wac
convention, nre tho chart of our national faith
Dave we any reasonable O ,isctions TO the manner
OF getting up or conducti; tho Houston con
yentiop! ph,hs appointea' years before b,
the largest and best regulated democratic con
yention that has been held in tho State. IL ha:
never been objected to by any one hut Genl
Houston, who very largely compromised his dig
nifty, by his effort to crow il into contempt in his
last unfortunate campaign. No one, then, will
say that it was not we'll and fairly gotten up.
Two years notice was ample time to make ar.
rangements for full and fair representation,
and it you neglected it, that is no reason why
you should abandon the party and tho constitu
tiOn. Was it conducted properly! The demo-
cratic platform was fully sustained, and every
eIlrt to raise n new issue was promptly laid up
m the table by an overwhelming vote Dick
Runnels was the choice of that convention, and
nominated us your candidate for governor. It
was done, upon the consideration, that he had
served an almost unexcentionable term in that
Office, md under the impression that he was de-
cidedly the choice of the people. And but for
the cid wings and know nOthngs he would have
run without opposition. Disappointed !asprants
and disafacted democrats are willing to cast their
weight against the constitution, the Union, and
the rights of the States to crafty their little
spleen. But ''sound democrats" who act upon
principle, and are controlled by the dictates of
reason, will ask for the Objectionable features of
Gov. Runnels' administration and if any are
pointed out they will then ask if they are such
should induce them to sacrifice the Union and
the constitution, rather than elect him Governor Of
the State OF Texas. For since the adoption of
that cons ttuton, there has existed in some form,
or under some manner two parties. One in ia
yor OF maintaining 1t according to it's strict let
ter; the other opposed to it. and even designing
to enlarge its powers by implicntio and "on-
sruction, the result Of which, would have been
if they had succeed, the concentra lion of power
in the General Government at the expense of
the States, the avowed objects of the iederalists
ut the time it was adopted. The democratic
party has stood by that instrument, while the
opposition to it, has been of the most nsidious
character, and under every guise and manner
that ingenuity could invent Has Gov Runnels
ever been in the opposition Has Genl. llous-
ton! | remember well, the obsequious how he
yielded to the k. n. flag that was suspended
across one of our streets two years ago; and ev-
cry individual that took part in suspending that
flag. looks upon Gen. Houston now the cba.npon
of his party. Gen. Houston support ted Mr..
Fillmore tor the Presidency in opposition to
the democratic party with Mr.. Buchanan
us their nominee. Whether this was great
stroke of policy or another of his foolish freaks
like that of residing among the Indians and
muttering gibberish to his old friends, am un.
able TO say; but can safely say: that if he did
not know that Mr.. Fillmore would not be elect
ed, he was the greatest ass in the Uuited States.
But am told that tho II. party is dead, and
that therefore Gen. Houston must be excused -
How often has the party opposed to the constitu
ton renounced and changed its namel How Of
ten will they change it still But while Gen.
Houston has NOT renounced the principles of the
k. n party, which are clearly designed to en-
largo the powers of tho Federal Government,
permit me to draw the comparison between those
private or dormant opinions Of his, with the
great Objectionable only Objectionable, po-
sition of Mr. Runnels. lleis said by those who
oppose him. to he in favor Of re-opening the AZ
rican slave trade. This may be so he is known
to be q warm supporter of Southern rights, and
he may desire the repeal of the statute of the u.
States, declaring the slave trade piracy, &c. IfI
he does, it isonly a private opinion, and is off
setted by that of Gen. IIouston's' k n. ISM
Gov. Pease was nominated for Governor, with
the opinion that the State plan for building r.
Rs. was above all others, and it was known at
the time he was nominated. that his views on
that subject were obnoxious to the party by |
which he was chosen 1t is not expected, nor
ever has been, that gentlemen to yield all
their private opinions, because they are the nom
inee OF party. The only question is: Is he a
'.sound democratl" The convention that nomi
mated him. sustained the democratic platform, /
and ignored the question of reOpening the Af-
rican slave trade. Another important enquiry is |
How is the statute of the u 5. upon the sub
iect of the African slave trade affected by the |
h.,
authorize Congress to legislate upon the subject.
If SO, it is beyond the reach OF the State or
Mr.. Runnes and his opinions will affect moth
ing If however the authority is not expressed
in the constitution, it has been passed under
doubtful authority, such as the democratic par
ty has never admitted the right of Congress to
exercise; and Mr.. Kunnels is right to advocate
it's repeal. If the power to legislate on the sub
iect has not been expressly delegated to the Gem
with national politics, and as local
or State question, forms no constituent of demo
cratic or other national platforms. Mr.. Run
nes' political opinions, like those of all others,
are to be known by the position he assumes
Unsuspcious as to the political depravity or in
fidelity of Gen. Houston, after the gyrations he
has made in the last two years to catch the pop.
ular breeze; you are willing to abandon the faith
upon which this government was founded, and is
only to be upheld, upon mere surmise that
Gov RunneIs is in favor of re-opening the slave
trade. Gov. Runnels accepted the nomination
for Governor, both at Waco and Houston, and
with it the democratic platform. This. in all ,,
other instances, would be the true criterion OF
political faith, and it would now be, if reason
ruled. Politically no sound objections can be {
urged against the nominees of the Houston con- /,
vention. The passions have been aroused andap |
oealed to- The wolf has doffed his shaggy hair :
ind clothed himself in the heeco Of the noble
nerd that bled beneath his murderous paw in
Sc. and they are unable to detect the fraud
parcs! Pclcs Pans! (Pd,lse.)
A SOUND DEMOCRAT
Tue MAs MURDERED THE GALVESTON STEAMER. T.
The ''Mr. Lyon notice OF whose murder near j
ialyeston Texas we copied Yesterday from the New