The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-24
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A convention Of delegates from the several
counties will assemble IN the city Of Austin,
on Wednesday, the Sd day Of September, A.
d. 1879. for the purpose 81 indicating the
future policy Of the Democratic party Of the
State, and also 10 nominate candidates fol
the ONCE Of Governor. Lieutenant Cover
nor, Treasurer, Comptroller 81 Public Ac.
counts Superintendent Of Public Instruc.
ton and Commissioners Of the General Lard
Office. Inasmuch as no rule has been aid
down for obtaining the basis Of representa-.
tiOn, recommend that the several counties
send such number Of delegates as they deem
proper, leaving Il 70 the convention. as has
been done heretofore, to determine the
number Of votes which each county shall
be entitled 10 cast There has been no
united expression Of preference for any one
place at which the convention should be
held. Several points have been mentioned.
and among the number Austin has been s..
lected as being as suitable as any other,
having in view the Importance Of securing
full attendance in warm weather.
Are you ready for the conyentiOnl Have
you perfected your local organizations
Have YOU determined in your own mind.
the policy that should govern in future. and
selected suitable men 20 represent your II
not, let me beg you to delay these impor
tant matters no longer.
Do you wish to be governed by the time
honored conservative and well understood
principles which have united you in ths
past, and in the maintenance Of which you
have heretofore stood shoulder to shoulder
in triumph and in defeat; or do you desire
to loose the bands Of that union in which
you have heretofore fonnd your strength,
in some igais Jatras of new departure, q
third y-wil-O-the-wisp -0r another
jacx-with-a-lantern search for a split IN the
republican party.
Do you demand that we shall return ia
and stand by the doctrine of economy in
public expenditures, and that taxes should
only be imposed in order 10 defray the nee.
essary expenses of a government economi-
cally administered, or arc you willing that
your property and your earnings shall be
taxed, that Others may embark IN gigantic
enterprises for private benefits in the IN.
terest Of the few at the expense Of the
manyl
Do You prefer that your Offices and pO
sitions of trust shall be filed by men
whose sympathies and interests are in
harmony with your own; or shall they
be occupied by strangers and political
adventurersg These and kindred subjects
demand your attention not only in State
Convention assembled, but in your precinct
and county meetings, let me urge you "a
give to them the considerate attention theiI
importance demands. Much has been don't
already, but much yet remains to be done
in order 10 relieve the people Of Texas from
the effects Of the misrule Of the past, which
they have shared in common, (th0u#h noi
to any greater extent) with their brethren
of other States of the South. The work
yet to be done requires united exertion, and
steadiness of purpose.
The situation IS at present hopeful, civil
government is fast replacing military rule
The Executive can no longer suspend tho
writ of hdbeas corpus, or, by declaration oa
martial law, suspend the action Of ths
courts and try the citizen before drum
head court-martial That half civil hal
military, half civilized, half savage body,
composed to a great degree of irresponsible
and ignorant men, called State police, nC
longer lords it over the people, you are NJ
longer required to dance a four days at
tendance at your county seats, in ordel
that you may deposit your vote, but instead
you have a fair election law with precinci
ballot boxes, guarded against fraud in everJ
conceivable manner. The people Of Texas
are once more free to manage their affairs
in their own way if they choose so to do
In national politics you need not expect
that democratic ideas viii be understood ol
appreciated, so long as there is a majorit,
interested in keeping alive the prejudicel
and animosities engendered by the past, ol
a powerful political organization fails TO rc
store. the conhscated property Of non-com
battants, and refuses to permit the placing
of flower OF an evergreen on the grave d
fallen Confederate. Ourprinciples, how
ever, viii survive the prejudices Of thl
hour, the sober second thought must giYl
reason her sway, OF else the work Of cen
tralization viii go on to completion, let N
wait and hope for the best. Meanwhile lei
us all, unmindful of past political differences
and inviting the co-Operation Of all good
citizens, whether native or foreign born,
unite as oneman in building up our materia
interests and securely guarding them By
sound and wholesome State policy, by good
and wholesome laws, administered b,
honest and upright officials, in the In
terest Of the people, with due
regard for the protection Of life
reputation and property, avoiding all un
necessary burdens0me restraints on individ.
ual freedom, consistent with the public
safety Hoping that all portions Of ths
State will be represented in the convention
by good and true men; that wisdom and
prudence, tempered with moderation and
spirit Of Cancellation may characterizs
your deliberations, and that you may put
before the people the names Of men whs
will carry our banner to a brilliant victory
am, your obcdient servant.
9. n. W1EKLER,
Chairman Dem. TX. Committee
ConsIcANA. Texas. July II. 1873