The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-27

HAD. I. FTfaN urrARr DI.rRrr..
A--rIS TESLs, Sept /, isB
Tot. PrsstTta at, PsrsuHVi W. q.
My DEAR GENERAL: After your summer
recreation have determined to add to your
fall labors fcS words OIL the political sltu-
alton In Texas.
You will remember that about the I'll. of
March last there were present In Washing
ton two delegations OF Texans, both claiming
TO be representatives Of n RcpuN lean porty
OF Texas. One Of these delegations. headed
BY Gen. /. J. DAYS, was appointed by the
cation, headed by Gen. 4. J. Hamilton. was
selfappolnted.
Pursuing tie policy which had decided
upon In October, 1861 upon my arrival In
Austin, OF always eudeaVorlng 10 produce
harmony among al! classes OF Republicans,
declined 10 permit myself 10 be Identified
specifically with either faction, but frankly
told their leaders (E. j. Davis and A. j.
Hamilton) that | would recommend fol
office men OF both factions whom was sat.
lsaed would make good officers. The federal,
appointments were pretty evenly divided be
tween the two factions, much to my gratifl
cation, as still hoped to sec harmon,
brought about. The radicals (E. J. Davis
vlng) charged while In Washington that thu
Conservative Republicans "a. J. Hamilton'i
wing) had entered into q coalition with the
Democrats of the State to support A. J.
Hamilton for Governor, and In turn to be
permitted by him, II elected, to exert their
influence with the new State government
then offered to dcnounce this coalition to
you on the production of satisfactory evil
deace that 1t existed. The evidence was not
produced; said nothing on the subject; re-
turned TO Texas, and have endeayored to
keep myself well Informed on all questions
Of public interest, and especially those af
iccting the reconstruction of the State.
travelled from New Orleans to Galveston
with Judge J. II. Bel, who Is one ofthe lead
Ing men III the =. J. Hamilton faction. lie
Is an cx Z 81. fedcratc Judge. In conversation
qS0ut Texas politics, urged upon Judge Bell
that all Republicans should attend the con
vcntion that had been called by the radicals
TO meet at Galveston on the 10th of May, and
there 10 harr 9ni2t, bring out their candi
dates and cement the party In the State
lie emphatca.iy opposed such action. The
same course OF conduct was pursued by A
J. Hamilton, Governor PCase, Col. Haynes
and all the leading men Of that wing.
The convention met In Galveston on the
lOih Of May, and, without transactIng much
Business, adjourned to meet In Houston on
the N oil June.
At this last convention, Z. J. Davis wa,
nominated for Governor.
A. J. Hamilton, Pcasc, Bell, Haynes
Longicy, aud many other prominent Con
-cryl,.vc Republicans, were In Houston u
luis time, but took no part In the proceeding
Of the convention.
am assured by parties In whom | plac
rellaLce that oycrturcs were made at TIL
convention by the Radicals and rejected b.
the Conservatives.
Atickct, with A. J. Hamilton for Governo
and Z. J. Davis for lieutenant Governor
might have been nominated then and there
and would have produced harmony In I'll
Republican party, but for the persistent OF
position Of the A. J. Hamilton Conservatiy
faction.
This convention might have been large
or another one held, but for the same opp
sition and to-day the only organized Rcpu
hcan party In Texas is that headed by Z.
Davis.
The Conservative faction have opposed
organized concert of action In the Republic
party. 1t Is believed that the reason for Il
action Is found In the fact that, although I
Democrats will not openly affiliate with
Conservative Republicans, many Democra
papers advocate the election Of A. J. Han
ton for Governor some of them place
name at the head Of their papers others
not announce his name, but support him.
The Conservative Republicans, who p
tend, especially when In Washington,
stand on tho reconstruction laws Of CO
gress, nevertheless come right 10 Texas, q
In their district conventions nominate III
for office who cannot qualify according
these very laws. Examples are, Striblil
of San Antonio, for Congress, and McF
land, Of Austin, for the State senate.)
They denounce such men as General w
T. Clarke, who was nominated for Congr,
by a convention, but not of A. j. Hamllt
men. No fault can be found with such m
as william I. Clarke, whose military q
civil records are without blemish. No reas
can be given for any Republican to oppO
such men as Clarke, unless, SO be surc In
are included In the class that 4. J. Iumilt
has denounced from the stump, and call
carpet baggers aud scalawags.
The circumstances all considered, !
constrained TO believe that the coallt
which has been charged as existing betwC
the conservative or A. j. Hamilton Rep
llcans and the Democrats Generally OK r
els) does actually exist.
The platforms of the two wings Of the
publican party are precisely the same.
The Radical wing act om their profcsslc
Of adherence TO the reconstruction laws
Congress, and present for Office men W
are qualified under these laws.
The Conservative wing frequently non
nate men for office who are known TO
disqualified under the reconstruction Law
but who arc also known to be acceptable
the Democrats.
The success of the A, ]. Hamilton tactic
20 II will be produced BY Democratic vote