New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-08-28

ministration Of public affairs, believed by
them to be more conducive to the general
welfare, or else to continue the existing order
OF affairs as best calculated to subserye that
end, then there are no political parties to-
day IN the State of Texas, but only the adhe-
rents of the Federal Government on one
side and its paroled enemies on the other.
So sharply are the lines drawn by these
enemies that there is no recognized neutral
ground, and the strongest claim a candidate
for Office can urge to obtain their suffrages
is that he has been a traitor to the Federal
Government. 1t is true that the Federal
Government here, as we'll as elsewhere
throughout the rest of the territory formerly
in open rebellion to its authority, has nomi-
nally regained its supremacy. Its flag floats
without molestation over its forts, its public
buildings, its revenue cutters, and its mer-
chantmen, but rarely anywhere else. In
fact, while it has compelled an acquiescence
in its authority, it has not as yet succeeded
in gaining the good will Of any portion of the
population lately outraged against it, suffi-
ciently large to give its principles and policy
an effective support in the administration of
the State government.
The adherents of Federal Government,
known as the Republican party of Texas,
consist mainly of the colored population who
cling to it from motives Of gratitude, and
hope of protection from the vindictive hate
of their former masters and oppressors-a
class by the way which, in spite of the dis
advantages with which it has to contend
has made relatively greater progress since
the collapse of the rebellion than any other
portion of the population, supplemented by
the Federal office-holders, some of whom,
regret to say, are ready TO repudiate the
principles they profess whenever the doing
so Is not likely to jeopardize their pay.
To these must be added an inconsiderable
body Of whites, either of a Northern or
Southern origin, whom the bitter social as
we'll as political prescription exercised here
against all white men who being natives of
Texas refused to join the Confederacy, or
who, as citizens of Northern States, have
taken up their residence here since the close
Of the war, has compelled to range them
selves under the Republican banner. To the
first class Of these white Republican allies
prejudice assigns the epithet scallawag;"
to the second the more widely known appel
lation, carpet-bagger." Giving the above
incOngruous elements, with no resources for
recruiting its strength in the rest of the body
polite, except it be the German element
which hitherto has either allowed itselfto be
| Oanaiva1 Inv tho
ocracy, or else stood supinely aloof from the
political arena-it must be evident even to a
careless observer that with the wisest man.
agement and the most rigid discipline, the
Republican party Of Texas would constitute
but fOrlorn hope unless speedily reinforced
by an intelligent immigration. But when in
addition the fact is known that to the
incongruity of its component parts is added
the disruptive force Of warning factions,
mflamed by selfish demogogues intent solely
on gratifying, at no matter what cost, their
petty preferences and sordid ambitions, some
faint idea may be conceived of the demoral-
lied condition of the Republican party OF
Texas, and of the confusion worse con-
founded" that reigns throughout its camp.
From the foregoing outline of the political
situation here, 1 think 1 am justified in term
! ing it chaotic, and in further asserting that
there is nothing which warrants the hope
that the administration of her domestic
affairs will shortly be of character to restore
the credit of Texas, now seriously impaired,
| or to promote the welfare of her citizens
through the maintenance of law and order,
the diffusion of education among the masses,
and generous and efficient encouragement
of foreign immigration. 1t is true that the
Republican delegates are about to meet in
convention at Dallas on the 10Th instant to
nominate State ticket for the general cleo
ton appointed to be held in December next.
And considering the numerous Democratic
aspirants for gubernatorial honors, as well as
the dissonance Of opinion existing among the
so-called Democracy in regard to vital issues,
such as education, internal improvements
immigration, and the like, if bona fde union
OF all the Republican dissidents could be
effected through the action of the Dallas con-
vention, the Republican party of Texas might
recover, this winter, its control Of the State,
and more than make good its recent defeat.
Especially might this result be reached il
pains were taken, as there ought to be, to
secure the cooperation Of the German ele.
ment, who here, as elsewhere, are an orderly
industrious, lberty-loving people; somewhat
opnionated, it is true, as perhaps they have
a right to be, and rather squeamish about
depositing their ballots in the same urn with
black mans; yet, generally well-inten.
toned and capable of doing good service in
the physical and moral development of this
truly majestic State. The strongest candi.
date of the Republican party considered by
itself, and the probable nominee of the Dallas
convention for the Office of Governor, is E
j. Davis, the present incumbent Taking
him all in all, whatever his enemies may say
Governor Davis, as chief magistrate of Texas
has proved himself the right man in the right
place; and if it be possible. considering the
necessity in the present crisis of State affairs
for steady hand at the helm, l should
greatly prefer to see him reelected. But
while Governor Davis has hosts of friends in
the ranks of his party he has also many bitter