davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
Very Enthusiastic Reception
He is Welcomed with Music
and the Firing of Cannon!
introduced by Mr.. J. o. Meuse-
bach, former State Senator!

Editor Democratic Statesman
Say to your readers to be of good
cheer. The goal is nearly reached.
In few more months the oppressed,
harrassed, bur'iened and over-taxed
people of Texas will regain their lost
power, and prosperity will once more
gladden. their hearts. Wish you
could have been here and witnessed
the enthusiastic reception given to
John Hancock, the standard bearer
of the Democracy of the Fourth
Congressional District. How un-
dauntedly and courageously he un-
furls and waves it as the only banner
under whose folds our lost liberties
can be regained.
He addressed about one thousand
of his fellow, citizens from the steps
of the court house last night, and
Notwithstanding the fact that nc
seats had been provided, for two
hours and ten minutes he held his
audience spell bound as he pictured
to them the unwarranted and oppres.
sive acts of our so.called Governor.
He talked slowly and earnestly, and
every word he said was fully under.
stood, and made its impression on
the minds of his hearers. He was
several times interrupted with loud
cheering, and when his speech was
ended, three cheers were given which
no doubt were heard far beyond the
limits of the city.
The Germans are disgusted with
Davis and his administration and
their votes will tell powerfully in the
coming election in his downfall. The
old Banner county of Democracy is
coming to the rescue, and intends tc
plant herself fairly on its platform
and battle for its success as in dayl
of yore. Hurrah for the Democra
cy of COmal. They are all right.
TRAVIS.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31

the Peace are not otherwise provided
for, may be removed ON CONVICTION
BY JURY, for malfeasance, nOn-feas-
ance, or misfeasance in Office"
In the face of all these salutary pro-
visions, placed In the Constitution as
limitations and restrictions on the
powers of the Government and IS
shields for the protection of the citizen,
it is difficult to conceive upon what
principle Davis and his supple Judge
assumed the authority for their action
in this case, except it is that Executive
authority in Texas is absolute and inde-
pendent of the law, and uncontrolled
by Constitutional restrictions on the
Governor or guarantees to the gov
erned.
We unhesitatingly pronounce the
Executive, as we have in this and other
instances proven him to be, a TYRANr
AND UsURPER; and say that for his nu-
merous crimes against the Constitution
he richly deserves impeachment. But
while we have no hope of such bless
ing as that TO our people, at present,
we warn him and his servile Judges
that the day will come when they will
not have that immunity against ac
countability, which is offered by the
corruptions of these times and when
the citizens who have been injured,
wronged and outraged by high-handed
disregard of their legal rights by pub
lie officials, will be accorded full re-
dress by an honest, upright and en-
lightened Judiciary.
Knaves by fraud and usurpation
you have taken possession of all the
departments of the Government, and
not having the virtue required to pun
ish each other for your untold crimes,
you feel secure, but these things will
not always continue; the people have
taken the matter in hand and will apply
the remedy.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
August "a, 1871.
Letter from General Henry Z.
McCuIIOCh.
To the Editor of the Democratic Statesman.
AUSTIN, August %, 1871.

To the Editor of the Democratic Statesman.
AUSTIN, August %, 1871.
1 find that some of our friends
complain of the expressions used and
feelings cvinCed i'll John Hancock s
letter to Mr.. M. G. Anderson of San
Antonio, and cannot say that they
have no reason to be both surprised
and annoyed that he should have
written the letter to such a man, at
this time; but We are all liable at
times to commit blunders, as we'll as
to be deceived in men who pretend
to be our friends, and especially so
in these times of political vacillation
and corruption.
There are but few men now who
are not labOring under political dis
abilities to such an extent that the
Democratic party cannot use such as
they would prefer to bear their stan-
dard in such a contest as we have
before us now for Congress, and no
one denies that Hancock is used as
the best material we can place our
hands on that is entirely free from
these disabilities-both to beat the
Radical party, and represent this
District in Congress. While 1 had
much rather support one who had
always agreed with me in principle
and acted with me in practice, if cir
cumstances rendered it practicable
and advisable to do so, l think we
are very fortunate in having such an
available and efficient stool" to use
under the circumstances that sur
round US now, and while 1 know, and
have known, that he does feel a del
icacy in bearing our standard in this
contest; not because he is not fully
and emphdtically with US in prin-
ciple, but because he knows that he
is not altogether acceptable to many
of our party. l can and do bear
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31

The Congregational Canvass
Great Democratic Barbecue
at Prairie Lea, In Caldwell
County.
We regret that none of our friends
present on this interesting occasion
have remembered to furnish the DEMO
CRATIC STATESMAN with an account of
the proceedings and speeches there,
But, in default of this, we find in the
San Antonio Herald of the 22d inst,
quite an animated and encouraging
notice of the interesting occasion.
We quote part of this spirited ar
ticle
Judge Hancock is powerful reason
er, and an eloquent orator. The Fourth
District may we'll be proud that such a
champion will represent her interests
in the next Congress. l speak thus
positively because his election is a
foregone conclusion. Degener can't
carry the State administration on his
shoulders.
Judge Hancock spoke about three
hours, and was frequently interrupted
by loud applause. At the conclusion,
all repaired to the bounteous collation.
prepared by the munifcent Democrats
of Prairie Lea, and vicinity. Great
was the clatter of knives and forks Tor
about two hours. More than three
thousand were fed, and 1 am satisfied
there were taken up of the broken
fragments that remained twelve baskets
full of bread, and at least two fat roast
ed oxen.
At three o'clock speaking was re-
sumed. Able speaches were delivered
by Gen. N. g. Shelly, Hon. John Ire
land, and w. II. Burgess, Esq. 1t
was nearly sundown when the meet
ing adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock
Saturday morning.
My space will not permit detailed
account of the speeches to-day. From
9 o'clock until Al o'clock the vast
audience was entertained by such elo-
quent orators as Col. Stell, Jas. Burts,
Esq, Gen. II. E. McCulloch and W. Ii.
Burgess, who was again called with
loud cheers to the stand. omitted
to add that the dinner of to day was
as bounteous as that of yesterday.
A striking feature of this glorious
occasion was the order and decorum
which pervaded it. The people seemed
absorbed in the alarming issues of the
day, and intent on hearing every syl-
liable uttered by the speakers.
l noticed two or three Radicals pres
ent. From their countenances, it ap-
peared they felt like hunting their
holes, and pulling the holes in after
them.
This is the first of series of mass
meetings which will be held in this
Senatorial District. We are ablaze
with Indignation at the foul usurpa-
tions of the conspirators All decent
and honest men will register and vote
for John Hancock, on the Both of Oc-
tober. DEMOCRAT.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
Democratic Prospects in North
East Texas,

| A friend of this city has furnished
the subjoined extract from. private
letter to him:
"The new paper, the DEMOCRATIC
STATESMAN, is destined to do an i'm
mense amount of good-it is neCes-
sity that ought to have been supplied
long ago. The people of
North Texas never were so completely
aroused and determined for action.
While Conner was not the choice Of
the entire conservative element Of
this District, yet all acquiesce in his
nomination, and will give him hearty
support. That he will be reelected
there can be no manner of doubt, but
by what majority we cannot tell. II
ought not to be less than ten thousand.
Our District is the Gibralter of De-
mocracy, and when the next Congress
assemblies, and the roll of Texas is
called, we want no squeaking Radical
voice, like A. NJ. Bryant's, to answer
''here !" and if we can't have a united
Democratic delegation, we don't mean
lose this District and have our p CO.
lie misrepresented."
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
Gen. nIcCuIIoch,s Letter

We make room for the rather ex-
tended communication of Gen. Henry
E. McCulloch. We suggest to cor
respondents that communications
should be as much condensed as pos.
sible. Gen. McCulloch's letter al
though not new in matter is very i'm
portant in principles. Our readers
we hope, will excuse its great length,
in consideration of the good intentions
of the author.
We do not think that Judge Han
cock is in the least danger of being
misunderstood in consequence of the
letter published by his treacherous cor
respondent. All persons, both Demo
cratic and Radical, understand this
matter. Read the letter of Gen.
McCulloch, for it is the expression Of
a very earnest and well meaning Demo
erat.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31

The FAMINE IN FERsIA.-The dearth
extends over the entire lard, and Per
sia has already lost one third of her
population. Last year a partial fam
inc exhausted the accumulated pro-
visions of the country, and TO COM
plete the misery, the Government
raised tie taxes and thus begga!ed the
whole people. Toescape starvation,
parents have sold their children into
slavery, and in some localities the dead
have been disintered and eaten. In
addition TO all this misery, the plague,
cholera and small pox, are busily at
work with the famine fever to depopu-
late the country
1t is estimated that before this fam
inc is ended onc-IIa!f cf the entire
population of Persia, consisting of ten
million souls, will be swept out of ex-
isteGee byistarvation and disease.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
correspondence.
To the Editor of the Democratic Statesman.
SAN MARCOS, Aug. %, 1871

DAN MARCOS, Aug. 10, lOI L.
1 had hoped to attend the Demo-
cratic Barbecue at Prairie Lea where
the people of three counties were
assembled, but circumstances pre-
vented, and business of a private na>
ture has kept me in this vicinity
longer than 1 had anticipated stay
ing.
You have no doubt heard before
now of the killing of a negro near
this place on Sunday morning by a
Mr.. Driskill, and as the circum-
stances have been, as usual, twisted
into "lawless outrage upon an inof-
fensive freedman" i" l deem it proper
to give you herewith the unvarnished
truth of the matter as given by an
eye witness.
On Saturday evening last the ne
gro man Alex who was killed, came
into San Marcos from his home few
miles in the country, and while un~
der the influence of whisky, raised
a row with Driskill, but which passed
off without anything more serious
than 'Ewar of words" On the fol-
lowing morning Sunday Mr.. Dris-
kill and young Hutchins went out
buggy riding, and when mile or
two from town they met the negro
man Alex, who stopped his horse on
the road side and began to draw one
of the two pistols which he carried
on his person. Mr.. Driskill, OBJ
serving this motion, stopped the
buggy, observing, II suppose you
are drawing that pistol for my bene-
fit," and Immediately drawing his
own jumped out of the buggy. This
sudden action on his part caused the
negro's mule to start to one side,
thereby throwing its rider to the
ground, who, regaining his feet, at
once made for Driskill still attempt
ing to draw his pistol, which it seems
had become entangled in some way.
Driskill stepped back few PAGES to
avoid the negro, who still continued
to advance on him, and firing twice
the last shot took effect in the ne
gro's breast and inflicted a mortal
wound.
AS showing the negro's intention,
it is said that before leaving home on
Sunday morning he stated that he
would not return, that he was going
to hunt Driskill, and requested his
landlord, Mr.. Malone, to attend to
the gathering of his crop.
The Democrats of this county all
seem determined to show their full
strength at the Congressional elec-
ton, and if they have a fair cote
and a fair count, Hancock will carry
Hays by large majority. But
from what Newcomb said here yes.
terday, it seems that a fair count at
least, is not to be had, for he re.
marked that the Democrats might
out vote them, but as he had the
counting this time, he would be very
foolish to let that go wrong"
The people are groaning under the
burden of taxation, and 1 heard an
intelligent farmer remark that Hays
county would not raise enough cot
ton this year to pay her taxes, and
not more than enough corn for bread.
RUTOG r. DYE.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
TELEGRAPHIC.
FOREIGN NEWS.

LONDON, August 22.-Subscriptisn 10
American loan, noon to-day, fifty millions.
The Prince of Wales, from Hong Long for
Siam, foundered. Five hundred lives lost
Introduction of SIS, 900 900 of the five per
cent loan to>day, by Jay Cooke, MeCulloeh
& Oo., was q marked success. Subscriptions
exceeded in single day the whole amount
offered. Continental subscriptions reported
large. Books will be closed tomorrow, in
stead of Thursday, as advertised. The Times
says further loans will be required before
the city of Paris is restored to her condition
before the war.
Meeting between Emperors of Prussia and
Austria postponed.
BERLIN, August 22.-Cholera is steadily
increasing at Konigsburg, and has appeared
at Dantzic. No cases in Stellen or South
Prussia.
MUNICH, August 22.-Committee of con-
servatiVe Catholics invited Catholics of Ger
many, Austria and Switzerland to congress
at Munich, September %.
Paris, August 22.-The Budget committee
fixes Theirs salary at half a million francs
per snnum, exclusive Of ordinary expenses.
VEksA1ELEs, August 27-A tax of twenty
francs per kilogram of paper substituted for
newspaper stamp duty.
1t is reported that compromise has been
made regulating Theirs tenure of Office He
receives the title of president aad holds
during the existence of the present Assem-
bly,.
In courtmartial to-day members of the
Paris fire department, depOsed, positively
swearing that the commune ordered the firing
of public and private buildings.
RoME, August 22.-The government is
taking stringent measures against the Ohol-
era.
LONDON, August 2l.-Twenty millions of
five per cents. have been taken in advance of
regular opening. Syndicle bonds active at
l4@l2 premium.
VERSAILLES, August 2l.-Dispstch from
AlgIers announces the arrival of a large num-
Der of French troops.
VERSAILLES, August 23.-The prolongation
of Theirs term is assured.
Another instalment of thirty millions of
francs has been paid Germany.
The Government is acting in concert with
Italy to prevent cholera.
BERLIN, August 23.-Four cases of cholera
have occurred here; two were fatal.
A foreign ship arrived at Shields with
cholera on board.
The potato blight in Ireland has been ex-
aggerated. 1t seems official statements say
the crop is good one.
LONDON, August 25.-An unknown schoon-
er was sunk yesterday. Eight lives were
lost.
Cholera is being reported at Antwerp. The
Italian Government has ordered strict quar-
antine of vessels from that port.
The English Foreign Office is warned to
watch the proceeding of the Gastin meeting
between Prussia and Austria, that it means
more than the settlement of the Roumanian
Railway difficulty.
BERLIN, August 24.-The Zeitung of to-
day reports unfavcrsbly of the negotiations
at Gastin, and that GOODNESS will spring up
between Emperors of Germany and Austria.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
NO. 5.

these ROBBERS than to fail to vote and
perpetuate their power.
When We review the history of
the past, realize the present, and take
a fair and comprehensive view of our
prospects in the immediate future, we
are necessarily forced to the conclu.
sion that there never was a time,
since the Revolution of 1776, when
our liberties we're truly SO much in
danger as they are at this hour, and
every lover of liberty must realize
the fact that, if he holds his liberties
even now, he holds them by feeble
tenure and that there is very great
danger that the last Vestage of them
will, before many months, be swept
away.
Heretofore 1 advised a peaceful
organized plan to secure fair cleo
tion, which is prevented by the Kings
edict, but we still have it in our pow
er to secure evidence of the full vote
cast against the Radical candidates
without any violation of this edict;
as those who live at the county seat
are permitted to remain at or about
their homes, they can have a sepa>
rate ballot box into which each voter
can place duplicate of his ballot
with his name written on the back
of it, which will show how he voted,
and when the election closes these
results could be published to the
world. And while those who direct the
elections cannot be induced by moral
principle or legal restraint to make
a fair, honest count, they might pos
sibly be ashamed to sWindle US in the
face of such clear evidence againt
them; and I now suggest this plan as
one that even the King cannot object
to upon any grounds; and 1 would
further suggest that one or two men
of high standing be selected at every
county seat to be present at the pub
lie ballot box during the entire time
of receiving votes, in order to bear
witness to all that may be done at
that time and place either for good
or for evil, and 1 am satisfied if the
King issues no prohibitory edict, that
the most of the managers of elections
will not object to it, and when they
do, it will be sufficient evidence of
intended fraud to justify us in ma
king it public.
Let all these things be done in
manly, quiet manner, so that while
we submit to these expressions and
wrongs, We will not sacrifice our own
self respect by a coWardly feeling;
and though submitting to the vileSt
acts of oppression, still maintain our
self respect, and then when we have
done all and suffered all that men
can bear for the sake of peace, if we
cannot obtain our rights and have to
appeal to the first law of nature, We
certainly can expect a united people.
The road is rough and crooked
that we have to travel, and to me it
looks dark and gloomy, but I am pre-
pared to enter upon it with a manly
step and firm heart, willing to trust
to our own efforts under the direc-
ton of Divine Providence for success
and am confident, if we will but act
our part properly, we will succeed.
May God sustain US in the right.
HENRY E. MCCULLoCH.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31
The COngressiOnaI Canvass.

From the subjoined article in the
San Antonio Herald, of the 18th inst,
it would appear that many of Mr..
Degener's old German friends do not
relish his approval of the Davis-Alex.
aDder measures after having heretofore
openly opposed them. We do not
wonder at this, by any means-for
even German Radicals deSpisc decep-
ton and insincerity. Nobody is will
ing to trust such man:
"0n Wednesday morning last, the
Radical managers had flaming handbills
posted all over the city calling for a
grand Ratification Rally to endorse
the nomination of Degener by the New
Braunfels Convention. OF course we
did not fail to have a party on hand to
observe the spirit of the occasion, and
see how Degener would go down with
the tax ridden voters of old Bexar
since swallowing Davis, his police, tax
laws, etc. To say that, as friend of
Judge Hancock, we have derived great
comfort from the report of that Orally"
is putting the case mildly indeed. 1t
was a total failure, q complete fash in
the pan. The Germans did not attend
at all, except old Thielepape and one
or two other officeholders. Degener
must have felt the rebuke being ad-
ministered to him for his endorsement
of Davis and his administration. His
speech was key to his feelings and
clearly showed how respondent he was.
He tried to throw off on Davis, but
saw it was no go, inasmuch as printed
copies of the Platform he had openly
endorsed before the New Braunfels
Convention were in circulation in the
hall.
"He cannot deceive or hoodwink the
voters. Party discipline and the force
of chicken-pie keep him in the Radical
traces, and it will avail him nothing
that he processes to disapprove a por-
ton of Davis measures. He endorses
in the New Braunfels platform, Davis
Militia and Police bills, the school bill,
printing bill, etc, and endorsing these,
tits of no consequence that he pretends
to condemn Davis less odious acts.
owe could not ask that things pre-
sent more fattering prospect for a
triumph of right over wrong, than is
presented in this District. The people
are thoroughly reused to the exceeding
great importance of an entire change
in their political rulers. Relief from
misrule and high taxes can only come
through such change and it is most
gratifying that many who have hitherto
been of the dominant party realize the
truth of this position, and will help to
effect this change"
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-31

This Radical sheet, under the edito-
rial management of the Rev. Col. G.
G. Gillespie, familliarly called cold
Grapevine" is a fair sample of the
subsidized organs of the party now in
power, and for the amusement of our
readers we make the following ex-
tract from that journal of the 10th
instant. no doubt from the pen of the
praying, preaching, fighting, drinking,
swearing, rollicking, Old Grapevine
so called:
Load every gun you have to the
muzzle, and pour shot and shell, grape
and canister, into the ranks of the
enemies of the Government. Show
them no mercy. They have raised the
black flag, and show no quarter to Re-
publicans. Return the fire with re-
doubled fury. Republicans are now
masters of the position for the first
time in Texas. Let death and de-
st.uction be dealt into the ranks of the
assaulting enemy. Let not a weak
gun be heard.
We would remind the Rev. Colonel
that a gun loaded to the muzzle is
extremely dangerous to those who
discharge it, more SO than to those at
whom it is aimed. He next says
What does the Democracy suppose
will be the verdict of history concern
ing the persecution of Union men in
the South
But he does not allude to the Union
men he was going to hang with grape
vines, in default of hempen ropes.
He then goes on, in the peoples
column, for which he says he is not
responsible, and says:
Verify, verify, the spirit of the Lord
seems to be with the good people of
Grimes. So mote it be.
Then fourthly, in an editorial, he
reminds us of the shepherd whom Dick
ems described so inimitably, when
taken by the Wellers in state of in
toxication to address his fock-instead
of preaching, he cursed them! Hear
| him
We don't know a prominent Demo
crat in the State who does not hate
the cd Dutch"
Filthy, he says:
The Ku Klux Democracy have de-
clared war upon the wives and chill
dren of Republicans.
Then, after having perhaps taken
about forty drops, to recover from
uttering such whopper, he becomes
bold and warlike so mounting his
barbed steed to fight the souls of the
unterrifed, he exclaims, sixthly:
Undertake resistance TO the law and
the Governors order if you dare II
you do, we will make it the sorriest
day you ever saw. You are trying
the game of bluff, but it will not win
We are not afraid of you; we are as
bold as you are and we defy you.
Then, like Plate when he gave
Jesus up TO the Jews TO be crucifed,
our delectable shepherd of his former
Democratic brethren, piOusly exclaims
seventhly:
Let them resist, and their blood be
upon their own heads.
Go it, Old Grapevine ! Go it, good
shepherd But remember the terri
bic doom of the wicked 3!
Grapevine Shepherd, thee'll get thy farm,
In hell they'll roast thee like herrin