Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-06-21
ADDRESS To THE REPUBLICaNS OF
TBXAS AND THE UNION.
BY Direction Of the Republican state Con.
yentiou.

fELLow CIrIzKSs:-The Convention OF Re-
Puoncans' assembled at Houston, Texas, on
me 'tn OF june, lsoe, to sninate State officers.
directed an address to Issue TO the people ana
Stale '1ie
In the performance OF this duty i. will no,
affairs, but - refer TO the cause that produced
hem.
Texas to-day is no nearer reconstruction
man at the close OF the war, except IN point of
The masses OF the people who were enlisted
against the government Of the United States,
ministration of the Government, the policy es-
taelisned by Congress, and the principles
which govern the dom inant party, as when the
these men, with few exceptions. there is ps
honest, earnest determination 20 restore pea ce-
fui relations with the United States Govern
own way, and the administration of State af-
fairs is committed 70 their own hands. Securi-
~ OF life and property Is very uncertain. The
administration OF Justice is very tardy, especi-
ally where the one who seeks IL Is a prominent
Repub blIcan; party hate penetrates the social
circle, and lawlessness and crime yet prevails
TO a considerable extent throughout the land.
1he military power rs unable 20 meet all the
exlgencies and necessities OF this vast empire.
IL is unable to remedy ali the wrongs, aud es-
lablish the right; and II D. powerless at present
10 secure 10 the people ell that the la " has q ven
them. Repu bican victory Is loosed upon
as the triumph OF an eaemy; and the members
OF that party are branded IN terms OF odium
1t will naturally be asked why il is that az
this late day, tn is condition OF things continues,
Why there Is more bitterness OF feeling and op-
position to the Government now than when
During the past eight months our political
condition has in some degree resembIed the
period following the rapture between the Con-
gress and the then acting President OF the
United States, Andrew johnson.
As In the former case, a trusted Official, high
in lnSlra NH alaka hA k,al
through q belief in his tried 10y atty. suddenly
deserted his party and placed himself in the
ranks OF the enemy. This change of political
Position. although thorough and complete al
the time, was not made openly manifest until
the announcement that he was the candidate
ofth Democratic party for Governor; and his
nomination for that Office from Republican
Con vention.
In both these cases the results have been
similar in regard TO their influence on the
party. UnionIsts for q time were dismayed
and demoralized by the detection of their leader
They felt somewhat the stupefaction which
we might suppose would take possession of
an army whose general had deserted in the
face OF an enemy, and thus the Rspu blican
party has been for time in disorder.
There is little doubt that the detection and
desertion TO the enemy of ex.Goy. A. J. Ham,
ilton was the result Of a combination which
had for its object the election OF that gentleman
to to, the e gnoerIatorial chair Of the State and 70
who should have the majority. That this COM
binalon was completed is evident from the
following confidential circular. which was is
sned on the 18th OF February, or Immediately
after the adjournment Of the Reconstruction
Convention. The plan was foreshadowed and
the scheme developed. But read it;
HOUSTON, February l2, 1869.
Dedr Sr As Democrats, we are painfully
impressed with the embarrassing dilemma IN
which our people Of this State are placed, in
view OF the approaching election for the rati-
hcation OF the constitution and the selection OF
State officers. Hence we send you our trater-
Lal suggestions, and ask yours In return.
a united Democratic vote. il we could secure
1t. would defeat the CONSTITUTION, or else elect a
Democratic State ticket. But then, in all
probability. military usurpauon, carpetbag
and renegade misrule, irrespons BILE taxation.
public corruption, damaged State reputsti On.
and the timidty OF immigration and capital
TO come among us would continue and increase.
Gan We assume the responsibility! On the
other hand, staunch Democrats, will not vote
for the negro suffrage constitution. All Demo-
Gratis who do not vote for il will do so under
protest; with view 10 as early remedy of
the evil as possible.
What then shall we do, We suggest that no
active Democratic opposition be made 10 the
Constitution, that every Democrat be left TO
tion for ratification, and that the Radicals be
thus allowed TO carry il by default. The
responsibility will be theirs.
In the election for State officers a better
prospect is before us. A good Legislature can
be elected, composed Of quiet, sensible white
men, either Democrats or Republicans, mostly
maeses Of the reorle of the State. and ulti-
ately give their whole strength to the Demo-
Ex.Gov. Jack Hamilton, who has, in the
Convention. crushed the negro wing OF the
Radical party, and thus saved the State from
lncalculable injury will, we understand. run
the party candidate OF the Radicals. He will
run as q Republican of course. Bat IN our
opinion, the election OF Hamilton under the
GIRO umstances will be the shortest road to the
trlQmnl DRm0CrAflr
"a word to the WISE etc.
We learn that the choice offs peoples candI-
ticket lies between p. W. Gray, the notorious
Colber Caldwell, and DIR. Boulds Baker.
knowing the three as We do, DR.. Baker Is emi-
nently the best man OF the three. He a man
OF great shrewdness and ability, and is the best
friend Of the Confederates in the Texas Repub-
lican party. He has done more than any other
to protect them at Washington, where he has
Gray has had but little influence at Wash
ington, and is not fully in accord with the
Hamilton Conservative movement. Baker,
while in Influential in the Republican party. has
not an enemy in the Democratic party, and
his election Will give the Democrats an infiu-
ence in the State Government NOT TO be Obtained
by the election Of any other Republican.
This letter is entirely confidential, OF course,
and all we have said Is only in the way OF
suggestion. If Democratic party success,
defeating the constitution, or electIng Demo-
cratic Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
were considered pr udent al this time, we should
go in for il heart and soul. And the ultimate
control Of the State Government by the Demo-
cratic party is the one object we have in view
In the whole matter.
Please keep our counsel, and write TO us
your own suggestions, and frankly as we have
written ours to you.
Respectfully and fraternally yours,
AsHBKL SMITH, &C. GILLESPIE,
J. w. HENDERSON, r. w. LUNDAY.
One Of the signers Of the above, T. T.. Gilles-
pie, Is The same man who, two years ago, al
the celebration Of the anniversary of the battle
OF San Jacinto, openly declared that there
were grape vines enough growing on the bat
tie grounds to hang every Republican on Texas
soil, and expressed the fendish desire that they
might be employed IN that hellish work. The
other names appended TO the circular, are OF
uncompromising opponents Of reconstruction,
whe have never yielded one iota Of their trea-
sonable convictions and opinions. These are
the men who have brought General A. J. Ham.
llton before the people Of Texas for the office
OF Governor. The sending OF this circular TO
Democratic papers and politicians throughout
the State, is the eecret cause which has been
operating TO induce them CO advocate the Ham,
ilton movement, and advise the non holding OF
Democratic Convention. Right on the heels
Of thus We dnd papers stepped in the crimes of
rebellion and treason, hosting Hamiltou's
name to their mastheads, and laborlng for his
election. Several Of them are carrying out the
entire programme Of this secret circular. and
flying the name of Boulds Baker, .who has
not an enemy among the Confederates,- under
tho of