The New York herald., 1869-08-13
lHs POLITICAL SITUATION IN TgXis.

NEW YORK. August IL, 1859.
Hon. BENJAMIN r. BUTLER:-
Being in this city for few days on business from
my home In the State Of Texas, where have resided
since December, 1885, take the liberty to address
you on the subject Of the present state OF politics
there. l retired from the military service OF the
United States In September, 1865, and then deter
mined 10 settle permanently IN Texas, anu have re-
sided there ever since establishing myself in busi-
ness in Corpus Christi. am induced to make this
communication to you upon reading In the NEW
YORK HERALD Of Sunday last letter addressed to
you under date OF Galveston, Texas, July 8, 1869,
"signed by six federal ofice-hoders," in which
they task your cooperation" In the matter OF "or.
ganizing forces, printing documents and keeping
speakers in the field throughout that stateu They
deem such things of the "lrst importance to the
end that Governor Hamilton Jhe conservative may
be defeated, and General DAVIS Nhe radicaD be
elected.
Now, my dear sir, having served in the Union
army under you, especially quartermaster of the
post at Norfolk, Va, and in the Army Of the James
need not explain to you that have always beer
not only a loyal man. but republican. You are
aware Of these facts, which makes my task the easier
IN addressing you. Let me assure you, as an old
friend, tnat believe know much about the poll.
tics Of the State Of Texas do either OF the gentle.
men whose names are appended to the letter re.
ferred to above. They all obtained their appoint.
ments through the influence of General Davis, the
radical candidate for Governor, and have reason
to believe have been promised by certain parties In
power at Washington (not General Grant, that Ii
they viii support Davis they shall retain their places.
This accounts for their patriotic appeal to you Tbey
are earning their wages from the government In this
political service.
The position Of the two parties in Texas Is pre-.
ccisey the same a. 1t is in Virginia. General
Davis stands upon the same narrow, prOscrptlve
platform that ees occupied In the recent contest
and Governor Hamilton stands upon MIR. Greeley's
bread platform OF universal amnesty and universal
suffrage" agreeing also to support the adminlstra-
ton OF General Grant and the reconstruction policy
OF Congress, upon which Walker was elected III vir-
You VIII observe, therefore, that those who vote
for Hamilton vote upon the same national platform
with the republicans OF Massachusetts ana for the
same principles; no more and no less.
observe that the six onceholders who address
you IN ben3f OF Davis assert that the Hamilton
ticket .is supported by the democracy or Texas.n |
really hope TINS is SO. / trust that they have so
far got their eyes open as to know what Is for the
best interests OF themselves and their State II demo-
Gratis VIII vote for a. republican upon republican
platform in Heavens name let them do 80. We have
been IN the haolt OF curslng them when they voted
against republlcanisin do not let us be so incon-
sstent as 10 continue curjlng them when they aban
don their own doctrines and embrace ours.
1t should not make any difference whether they
left the democratic party when You and Governor
Boutwell, ani General Banks and General Logan,
or whether they selected the eleventh IOur. We
should recolect that
While tho lamp holds out to burn
Tue West sinner may return
The SIX ollce-hoders assert again that 'ino re-
spectacle number OF conservative republicans even
endorsed the Hamilton movement" Now on this
subject, beg to assure you that, In my judgment,
not less than One-half of the od republican party OF
the State, incudln. the most respectable nd intel.
Ngent porti0n or the colored men, Will vote for
Hamilton. OF the remaining haf OF the republican
party who may vote ior Davis, are all OF the less n-
teligent classes OF whites, blacks and olcehoders.
70 these may be added large accession from the
MEXICAN residents or western Texas, who are
controlled 10 great extent by The Davis radicals
ana federal of1cenoiders. Ths deficient influence
winch the olnceh0lders seek from you Is your
money winch sincerely believe, II they get It, will
oe used ior corrupt purposes In Western Texas to
parry, JThl! Z not 50. Tae NATIONAL republican
glad 70 be informed by the sonice-hoders that the
hamilton party can eYmnepa what money 10 re-
q'nres Tor eectioneerini pulp0ses.D
~ -, lnaecd, pfu sght 10 behold six federal
ohlce-hodefs receiving good fat salaries and emou
ments, appealing to Massachusetts for money "to
uhaHe ta vigorous ana effective calnpaignp against
onlce-holuers IN passing, take Tue trouble TO inf0f
you taat among Tue supporters OF the hamilton
ulkcg die "a lew Johnson ofice.h Oldersu VINO
are now In once IN Texas Now II IL ls crime for a
man JQ hold ofpce because pc received his commits
SION L2ly hlsslleht johnson, Mr. Assessor lIcnder-
SON. Who addresses you as one OF the once holders
ought to have resigned before he appended his sig.
nature TO The letter.
Upon the same principle you should arst see 10 it,
before you remove johnson once holGeis' In
Texas that all the 'Johnson odcehoIdersD In Massa-
chusetts are removel-Lhe Co leclor ana Surveyor
OF the Port OF Boston, the United States Marshal Of
the Dstfct OF MASSACHUSETTS the Postmaster OF Os-
ton, the United states Distrct Attorney for the Ds-
trict OF Massachusetts, aud large number OF col.
ectors and assessors OF internal revenue and SUBJ
ordinate officers all over the State, including your
own excellent postmaster at Gloucester they are
good republicans no doubt; but, nevertheless they
were appointed by President Johnson, and were con-
servative enough for him when he commissioned
them.
As o Texan and old friend Of yours would inform
you that have no doubt about The rinnpbaut cleo
tion Of Governor Hamilton aud the total and final
defeat OF the Davis party In Texas and therefore
advise you, and the always liberal republicans OF
Massachusetts, not TO waste your money in that
State, but 10 employ 1t In berazlng our own local
laws. Excuse the liberty have taken In ADDRESSING
you this long letter, made necessary BY be state
ments OF the Office holders, who have publicly mis-
represented the political situation of my adopted
State. NELSON PLATO
Mayor Of Corpus Christi. Texas leia Byt. Col, and
~ Mnla