The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-10-23
PLATFORM OF THE DEmOCRATIC
PARTY OF TEXAS.

We, the Democracy Of Texas, in Conyen-
ton assembled, relying on the virtue and
intelligence of the people, again declare our
principles and policy, and ask for them the
popular approval. And
/. We declare our adhesion to the time
honored principles Of the Democratic party :;
our devotion to popular liberty regulated
by law; and to Constitutional government
simple in machinery, and to be be admin
istered with tho strictest economy.
H. We congratulate the people Of Texas
on the repeal by tho Thirteenth Legislature
of a number of the oppressive, odious and
unconstitutional acts, passed by the Twelfth
Legislature, in pursuance Of the Radical pol
icy to overthrow the government OF the
people, and among which acts were:
1. The Militia Law, whereby tho Cover
nor was authorized to suspend the writ of
habeds corpus and establish martial law,
thereby depriying the citizens Of all legal
and constitutional protection, and subject
ing their lives, liberty and property to the
unrestrained caprice and malignity Of a
partisan Executive.
2. The Police Bill, designed and intended,
among other things, TO create a system Of
secret espionage, by hired informers, upon
the people; az war with the principles Of
heretofore tolerated only in the despOtism
Of the old world, and the execution Of
which act was for the most part entrusted TO
a class of men Of dcgraded and infamous
character.
3. The Enabling Act, under which the
Governor was authorized to appoint district
attorneys who were made elective by the
Constitution; TO appoint all municipal Off
GERS, and to I'll all vacancies that might
occur in the Offices Of clerks and sherifs,
thereby designedly bestowing on him great
power and patronage, 10 enable him to con-
tinuc Radical misrule over this people
4. The registration and election laws.
which were framed and intended for the
purpose Of preventing free and fair cleo
tons; they openly encouraged the perpe-
tration Of frauds TO defeat the viii Of the
people. and 70 perpetuate Radical misrule,
presenting to our people the extraordinary
and humihating spectacle Of surrounding
the places Of registration and voting with
an armed partisan police with which 10 In
timidafe and oTeraWe the citizens
s. The act relating 70 public free schools,
which, among many other bad features
provided the means Of enabling public eli
Gals to speculate in school books. ia the
building and furniture Of school houses. 7n
the salaries Of teachers. and furnished hiah
salaries for q large and useless number n
officers, which gave the Radical party the
means 70 pay their political missionaries
who Travelled Tor radical purposes and fraud :.
from one end Of the Stats Is the other.
III And We further congratulate the pco-
pic Of Texas that the Democratic member.
Of the Thirteenth Legislature. - far - 4
was possible - accomplish their object. "a
presence 81 the csptions rcfoes 81 the Coy.
crnoI. aud the opposition 81 his uarlisans n
the senate, rQPiacsd tie foregoing ohnox.
iouas fcpealed measures. hy Just and who.e.
some lava. beariDg alike 81 sill. and which
Z honestly and faitifuliy executed. VII r..
dcund 70 tie lasting good 81 tie counfrr
and property % the people
~. The Democrats party when i