The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-09-14
matters, as Col Ranok of Mason

up the statesman who IS neede0 70
represent as great a constituency as
the people of Western Texas in the
Congress Of the United States. He
is said to have voted for a subsidy
for the Northern Pacific Railroad;
but when bill was presented for
the assistance of the Texas Pacific
Railroad-Which when completed
would make Texas the greatest State
in the Union, and entirely cut off
the lower part of the Western from
tier from Indian depredatiOns-he
UOted against It. And these facts
against Degener have never been
disputed.
And Mr.. Degener voted against
the bill for the general removal of
political disabilities Of the Southern
people; and argued that the time
had not arrived aOhen the Southern
people should be alIoSCed all the priVi-
leges Of freemeni And now he has
endorsed all the iniquities of the
Davis administration. He held aloof
quite independently until the New
Braunfels Convention. But he then
found that he would not get the nom.
nation unless he planted himself
squarely upon the Davis and News
comb platform. ri LEA.
In the spring of 1870, in cOmpli-
ance with the resolution passed ct
the Frontier Convention at Lampss
sas, and from other influences
brought to bear, the Legislature
passed law authorizing the Cover.
nor to call into the State service for
frontier defense, twenty companies
of mounted men. A few companies
were mustered into service, and res
NAMED on the frontier short time
and were disbanded. That law is
still in force. 1t is the duty of the
Governor to carry out the provisions
of the act bat he has not at this
time a ranger on the aOhole frontier!
These facts show conclusively, that
the Governor-with Mr.. Degener
and the other Radical candidates for
reelection to Congress, pledged to
support his administration-and
although now paying at an enormous
expense, an army of State policemen,
useless and damnably Objectionable
to the whole people Of Texas-has
failed and criminaZly neglected and
refused to give protection to the
people, who are being murdered and
carried into captivity almost every
dag IN the gear, by the merciless
savages, all along the eUhOle aOestern
frontier. And now should these unu
scrupulous politicians, who have been
fully tried, and have been found
wanting in ability, honor and inte-
gritty, come forward and ask your
votes for recollection /? An emphatic
no! should resOund throughout the
whole frontier, from Red River to
the Rio Grande.
Judge Hancock, who is man of
giant intellect, powerful speaker, a
profound lawyer, an able statesman,
and having the good of the whole
country at heart, was unanimously
nominated by a Convention of men
from all parts of Western Texas.
The following were his sentiments
in 1855: ''He only can be trusted,
whatever party name he may as
sumo, who regards The right of the
State, guaranteed by the Constitu-
ton, sacred from invasion" And
again, in the same address to the
people of Texas when he was can
didate for Congress, he says: 81
shall, if elected, direct my energies
to secure protection to our frontier,
actual, ample protection, not such as
has been extended to US for years
a mere illusion"-and he is now
pledged to carry out the same princi7
pies.
Gentlemen of the frontier counties,
permit me, in conclusion, to call your
attention to what your good judgt
ment has perhaps already pointed
out as your duty: Be careful that
no disturbances shall occur at the
election between you and the officers,
however vile and insulting they may
be, who are sent among you by our
bitter enemies, the Governor and
his Adjutant General. Be particular
and see that every one of your
number shall register, and vote dur
ing the election. And where there
are isolated settlements, so exposed
to Indian depredations that it is not
safe for the families to be left alone,
arrange your matters IN order that
some of you can alternately take care
of the families, so that all the men
can attend and vote during the three
or four days of the election.
1t is true that there are many
things to give US encouragement
but we are dealing with a cunning
and desperate political enemy. And
every man who is in favor of race
and good governmental favor Of
hurting from power the political de-
mons who are devouring the pohtica'
) substance of our labor-in favor of 6
) triumph of intelligence and honesty
over ignorance and base corruption
must now come forward, and do hii
whole duty in assisting to redeem
our country from Radical devastation
Truly and respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. F. OATMAN.