The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-07-22
The Argument i'm a Nutshell.

The Conservatives Of Texas are sup
porting Gov. Hamilton, the Liberal Re
publican candidate for Governor, as the
Virginians supported Walker against
Wells, the candidate of the ultra Radi-
Gals. Their leading paper, the Austin
State Gazette, in defining their attitude,
and indicating their policy, presents the
facts and the arguments by which they
have been guided, as follows:
There is not a man on either ticket, which
the Democracy of the State would support
under other circumstances. more favora BILE
and allowing them, untrammelleGkto exercise
their Judgment and express their choice.
Every intelligent man in Texas knows this
every honest Democrat feels it, and we do
not hesitate to say it. Would we not all
prefer ThrockmOrtOn or Hancock, to HamlI-
ton or Davis? Are there not many worthy
men in the State we would prefer to any of
them on either ticket, presented for the other
State officers? Undoubtedly-the Republic
cans of both wings know this, every body
feels it, and we say it. None of these men
on either ticket are the candidates of the
Conservative Democratic party OF Texas.
1t has no candidates for the State Offices. What
is its position? The Democratic party, with
that distinct name, was organized last year,
by the State Convention at Bryan out OF the
previous Conservative Union party, to CO.
operate with the great Democratic party OF
the Union, North and South, in view of the
Presidential election, then pending. A state
Central Committee was appointed to repre-
sent this party, made up of some OF the best
men of the State from all its sections. This
we do not feel any delicacy in asserting, al
though we were one of its most humble
members. Our State was not permitted to
vote IN the Presidential election, which was
decided against the Democracy, leaving us,
unreconstructed, to the mercy of Radical
Congress for the next four years. What
could we do? What should be done under
the circumstances These were the anxious
questions arising in the minds of all Con-
servatives and Democrats. Military rule
was weighing heavy upon us--our citizens
were being seized and tried by Courts OF
Commission-we were deprived of all the
securities to property and life, guaranteed
by the Constitution, with no prospect of re-
lief until reconstructed and admitted once
more into the Union, from which We were
forci6lY kept out for party ends. Could all
this be borne for tour more long years
The Central Committee pondered long on
this matter-although no meeting was had
there was free interchange of thought and
opinion, and the best leading men from all
parts of the State were cOnSulted-and the
conclusion was reached. that the Democratic
party-as party, had better have no candi-
dates for Governor and other State officers
in the field, and that our whole exertions
should be directed to secure an honest re-
liable Legislature under the Constitution of
fered us, bad as it was. A majority OF the
those consulted were decidedly Of this opin-
ion.
The Gazette concludes by stating that
the Conservatives ofthe State have united
upoh Gov. Hamilton, and viii elect him
as the shortest cut to reconstruction on
Just and liberal principles.