New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-07
Letter from Texas.

The event of the week here has been the
Senator Flanagan and their speeches at the
courthouse. The audience was very large
and evinced great interest in what was said
There were many Democrats present who
seemed to be bordering seriously whether or
not the Republican party were not after all
the real Democratic party of the country
The tendency Of the great body of the Dem.
ocratic party is towards this conclusion be.
You'd a doubt, and were it not for the in.
fuence Of its leaders over them, they would
break loose from dead Democracy and come
over in body and join their fortunes to the
great Republican army. As soon as they are
sufficiently advised in the science of politics
to comprehend the falslty Of the impassioned
sermons Of their leaders, they leave them and
seek the purer and better doctrine of Re-
publicanism. They are all coming and can't
help it, and all the Republican party has to
do is to stand firm and yield not, and their
opposition will cease all together or become
SO futile as to become petty barrier indeed
to its triumphant march.
The Senator was the first speaker. lie is
an old citizen of this State and is power in
it, and the people believe generally that he
is deeply interested in whatever tends to en-
nance its prosperity; and in this belief rests
his great strength. He spoke at great length
on the principal topics of the day and took
strong grounds in favor Of Grants reelection
and the wisdom Of continuing the Republican
party in control of the affairs of the nation.
He is ripe in knowledge and fruitful of anec-
dOte; and his quaint manner Of delivering
them adds greatly to their worth. He warned
the people against sending to Congress men
who had no influence, and advised the cleo
ton of Representatives who could secure for
them what they needed. 1t was a good
speech, mild and just, and no doubt left a
good impression on an who had the good for
tune to hear it.
After the Senator had concluded his adj
dress, the best Governor in the South, the
iron-nerved Davis, was introduced by the
chairman, who said Governor Davis, as he
was known to everybody personally OF by
his acts, needed no introduction.
The Governor spoke in his firm, digniied
manner, and was listened to with marked
attention. He is peculiar man, and seems
to be at all times deeply impressed with the
responsibilities of his position. While Sena-
tor Flanagan was telling his amusing stories,
and the whole house was roaring, he sat UNI
moved, and never smiled once. OF course
the Governor is not popular among Demo-
Gratis, and among the lawless class of the
State, who, according to Mr.. Greeley, belong
to the Democratic party. And why should
he be !; how could he be? The year previous
to his Inauguration there were at least one
thousand murders committed in Texas since
that time there have not been two hundred.
When he became Governor thousands Of
neutrality-suspicious. ovcrrunning the
State, armed with pistols and bowie-knives.
Because he has put an end to these things he
is not liked by this class because he has
stopped them from numbering one another
he is hated by them.
Resting in the consciousness that he has
compelled them to be civilized, he can well
afford to despise their hatred of his benefi-
cent rule. Comparing the present and past,
Texas may be said to be enjoying profound
peace, and with Davis for Governor, we shall
always have peace.
The Governor defended his administra.
ton, and showed to any unbiased mind the
necessity Of his acts which some thought
harsh, and claimed that the present unex
ampled peace and prosperity of the State was
<1a NJ Al,
people not to send to Congress men who were
not in harmony with the Administration a
Washington, for they could accomplish moth
ing. The speech was we'll received and mad
quite different impression on the minds o
its hearers to that derived from reading thu
slanderous newspapers of the State concern
ing man who has done more for them thai
any ruler they ever had, and as much as an,
they ever will have.
Though this State has been conceded t.
Mr.. Greeley, yet the way-the feeble-th
very feeble way he is supported here lead
many of the principal Democrats to doub
whether the people will consent to loos
both, their principles and their man. tn
impression somewhat obtains that they wi
vote for O'Connor, or not vote at all, an
thus try to save their principles and let the
man 60 wherever he is fast tending.
The new postmaster arrived here a fe'
days previous to the first of the present mont
and took charge of his Office on the first. ii
has already proven himself to be the man ft
the position, and by his acts justified tn
President in appointing him. His uniforl
courtesy to every one, and his excessivel
accommodating spirit, have won the estee
and applause Of even the Daily Ne,cs, whie
is enough to make any official tremble; f
it is the bittcrest and the most unreasonab
paper in the South. Notwithstanding thi
Clark goes right along, and performs Il
duties Of his Office with marked skill and Il
rarest executive ability. He has made mar
improvements since his arrival, and will e.
long make a great many more. These change
are absolutely necessary, for when Gcner
Clark took charge Of the Office it did not a
tually look as though it had been cleaned
four or five years. The clerks are too fe,
and are worked to dcath-about fifteen hou
per day. The building badly needs tho