The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-18

this great State; they have declared with
unanimity unparalleled in any former con-
test, their adherence 10 tho s'time honored
principles Of the Democracy When have
the people failed on a question Of principle
to stand by the rightS Neverl On the CO =
t-ary, the political history Of Texas from
1869 shows that no considerations Of policy
or cxpedicucy. although urged by their
ablest and most truste leaders, can unite
the people eFcn in a temporary abandon
ment Of priuefpie. Let those who believe
the people incapable Of self government,
who desire q strong government with pow
ers Of coercion to repress them, and who
for this purpose steal away their power and
lodge It in the hands Of a select few who
are so remote as not to be accountable for
its exercise, note that significant fact and
draw from it the moral that they underrate
the intelligence and capacities Of the people.
Ny countrymen, our victory is grand. glo-
nous, overwhelming and places the reins Of
government in the hands Of officers nomi-
mated and elected By the Democracy, but We
must remember that with power comes re-
sponsibility. We went before the people of
Texas upon platform announcing our prin-
ciples, and pledging the party to various
measures Of State policy. The popular YER
dict on the second Of December endorsed
our platform and demands fulfllment Of
our pledges. / say to you here that re-
gard that platform as something to be full
filed and carried into active administration
in letter and in spirit. Throughout the
length aud breadth of this State l have
promised the people that if elected l would
see to it that no single pledge Of the party
should be unredeemed IN my administration
of the government, and l meant what l
said. No party can or ought to survive a
breach of its solemn pledges to the people
The Democratic party, when it assumes the
relns Of government, Will make Its record
it viii hereafter be tried before the people.
Let US all see to it that this record shows
liberal and complete performance of.the
promises and redemption Of all the pledges
of the party. In the name of the Democratic
partyof Texas can say to you, that the ex-
penses Of the government shall be retrenched
to basis Of the strictest economy; that its
administration shall be honest that the
life, liberty, property and the rights of fran
chises of every inhabitant of Texas shall be
protected and made secure by such legisIa-
ton as is necessary for the purpose, and by
an honest, impartial and vigorous enforce
ment Of the laws; that public free schools
which shall place within the reach of every
child IN the State, white and black, good,
common school education, shall be erected
and maintained thar an active and liberal
policy for the encouragement and promotion
Of immigration, which shall bring into
Texas population so much needed for the
development Of the resources of our great
State shall be adopted and pursued that
the frontier of Texas will be protected from
the ravages of the Indians, and that secu
rity Of person and property given our hardy
pioneers which 1t is the paramount duty of
every government to give to every citizen
within its jurisdiction that the credit of
the State shall be preserved bright and I'M
furnished, without spot or blemish; that
liberal encouragement will be given to the
investment of capital in works of internal
improvement, and especially to the construc-
ton of railroads-reserving such powers
over them as will surely subordinate them
to the will, the interests and supremacy of
the people, but that no money subsidy will
be granted to any railroad or other corpora
ton; and that the government shall be adj
ministered IL the interest and for the benefit
OF the lch0le people, black as we'll as white,
foreign born as we'll as native. No distinc-
ton Of color or of birth will be known in
the administration of the government. The
interests of the black man, his liberty and
his rights, will be guarded and protected by
the same guarantees and mlnuments that
secure those of the white man.
Every inhabitantcf thesoil of Texas, black
or white, native or foreign born, Democrat,
Radical, Republican or whatever may be his
politics, will be equally entitled to and will
receive the same measure of protection and
consideration. We have no retaliation to
visit upon our political opponents who have
oppressed us. We will return good for evil,
By giving them honest, economical, good
government, which shall protect them and
theirs as fullyssas it does us and ours. And,
my fellow-ciuzens, in this hour of Joy and
exultation over our political redemption, we
must not forget that it is true in political as
in physical contests, shat peace has her
victories as we'll as war" and that those
whom we have met in political strife are our
fellow-citizens, the great mass ofwhom are
as honest as ourselves in their convictions.
Now, that the fight is over and the victory
won, let us not taunt or jeer them, but rather
let US endeavor by moderation and wisdom
to dispel their delusion and WIN them over
to the advocacy of he great principles of
our party. thank you again fellow-c citizens
for this splendid demonstration, and, in
conclusion, congratulate you and the country
that the time has at length arrived when we
are to have government formed to the will,
fashioned to the sentiment and moulded to
the purposes of the people, instinct with
their genius, and prompted and moved with
their energy good, old fashioned Demo-
cratic government, broad and comprehen-
sive enough to embrace within its benefeent
operation every interest, and every man,
woman and child in our great State.