The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-09-21
The Legislature and its Duties
- IN fine People.

Members of the Legislature are
congregating at the seat of governs
ment, and work will soon commence
in the legislative halls; work, we
hope, which will result in much good
to the people. Democratic. and
Conservative members come determ-
med to labor for their welfare and
protection. A cry for constitutional
liberty has arisen among them,
and like true patriots these men are
ready to answer the call. Let US
hope that there is also sufficient
patriotism in the Radical ranks to
harken to the beseechings of an OPP
pressed and outraged people.
No rational mind will dare deny,
that such influences are momentarily
working about US as will ultimately,
unless defeated, result in the over
throw, the absolute subyersion of
our entire system of government. All
true lovers of political liberty are
ready to lend a helping hand in this
great time of need; all true men, let
them be Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, when the hour for
action arrives, will be found. We
trust, at that post of duty which they
el-they owe to the we'll being, yea,
the existence of a time honored gov
eminent.
Radicalism!-a shudder passes
through our frame as we pronounce
the very word. Its insinuating
coils have been wound about our
governmental departments. and Its
filthy slime has been spread out over
the length and breadth of our beauA
tiful land until the sickning sight is
too offensive to be longer endured.
Who will continue to be its defender
syho so base, so unworthy still
The Radical party, as has been its
policy elsewhere, has not been used
for guaranteeing the liberties and ad-
vancement of the masses, but has
been devoted to the benefit of few.
These few have been its leaders, and
they, in extending some advantages
to their supporters, have only acted
in manner to fortify themselves in
their Unsuitable ayarice. They
move on with giant strides, and the
blessings they proposed but yester-
day, which we're only blinds to terri
Bile extOrtions are to-day eclipsed by
the red glare of tyranny.
So it has been with Texas, where
our space and time only permits US
to canvass now Here the Radicals
proper, for before it was a military
despotism far more acceptable, have
had swing of scarcely two years.
Within this time, Governor Davis,
the infamous pirate at the helm, has
steered his partisan government.
He and his advisors, for it is unjust
to give this man credit for and en-.
tirely within himself, have attacked
the Constitution with unrelenting
vigor, and to-day these oligarchE
pay no more regard to this ''supreme
government" than if such an instru
ment never existed.
We will not admit until it is
proven, that there are enough men
in the Legislature so corrupt, so for
getful of that duty which the posi-
ton of legislator has imposed upor
them, to support Gov. Davis in his
vile schemes of usurpation. Many
of these men were blinded for q
time, under the influence of party
excitement, but certainly an indig'
nant and outraged people have caused
them to pause and reflect upon the
probable future, and its blightinG
influences upon themselves. The
political stage is already prepared
for the shifting scenes of a grea
drama, the play of the people in de-
mand of their most sacred rights
play not only for acquired, but ever
natural rights, and sensible men
though they may have been elected
from the truly loyal as legislator
under this Texas oligarchy, do no
intend to render UP to Davis and hi
advisers the last atom of pride they
certainly feel in being denominatet
representatives of the people.
But lately, the Legislature, we fee
assured, incOnsiderately entered int
with the Executive a project 70
running the people through an in
iquitous and outrageous taxation
They gave him the support of
military arm; they fortified him wit
the passage of the Enabling Act; the,
opened a means by which million
were to flow into the Treasury, an
during all this time the majority G
them felt assured they would hol
three years instead of two. The
were only seized by the fierce spiri
ofaggression, that same spirit whic
; from its inception has gone hand
hand with Radicalism, and this, Wit
ambition, false ambition, lured ther
onward, must they allow it to be sale
to their doom.
Governor Davis was elected fC
four years, the Legislature for tive
: The two coalesced to throw off a
) election of another Legislature tn
fall, but this attempt was too absur
to be long adhered to by any otht
man than Davis or some Of IL
, favored few, who had been promise
, his soothing care. The greater ms
; jority even of the Radical member
J themselves have now given up tn
f scheme, aad demand a general Sta
!, election this fall. Knowing that the
cannot constitutionally act for al
other year, and not desiring to il
: cur heavy expenses in consequence