The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-11
Vol. III
~ AND onDEn ~ rExAs.

But fcw years ago Texas vas repre-
sented abFuad and IN otI,er States, as the
home Of outlaws and lis people generally
as semi-barliarians This idea prevailed
universally At the North and, even in the
older Southern States on the Atlantic, many
! men were TO be found so III informed as to
entertain it in a qualified degree. All this
was the result partly Of Ignorance and
partly Of malice. At the first settlement OF
Texas, with many of the noblest character
and requirements there were some OF des-
perate fortunes and darkcned records, as is
the case in every new and remote region.
Outlaws and outcasts found it u convenient
refuge and acts were committed, doubtless,
in carly days, which were Teprehensible and
could not be defended These stories of
wrongs and outrages went fo:th to the
world, grossly exaggerated or altogether
fanciful and false. But the impression was
made and it has been hard 10 eradicate it.
After the civil war, it became the interest of
tine few white Radicals to represent the State
as being in the most disorderly condition, re-
quiring the interference OF the general gov
ernment with its strong military arm, to pre-
serve the peace and protect the property and
lives Of the Union people, white and black.
1t was, we say, the interest Of these un-
principled scalawags and carpet-baggcrs TO
invent and circulate the most monstrous of
lies about the condition of Texas, and for
the Northern Radicals to believe them, or
10 pretend to believe. These men, through
their newspapers and by private letters, de
scribed most horrible state of affairs, the
robbery and murder Of peaceful, unoifend-
ing Union men, and the exhibition of feel
ings of hostility to the general government,
which might any time, break out again into
open rebellion. Nothing could be more
false than all these representations, but they
answered well the vile purpose of the Radi-
Gals here and at the North, and they were
kept mp, lie after lie, faster than they
could be cOntradicted and exposed. Indeed
it seemed almost useless to contradict them.
We were not believed, however earnest our
protestations, however convincing our
proof. These foul slanders were con-
tinued after the Radical State gov
ernmcnt was installed and set in mo-
tion by Gen. Reynolds, acting under the
instructions of Grant and his Radical asso-
ciates at Washington. Forced into office
by bayoncts and the most transparent fraud,
Davis and his scalawags and carpct-baggers
kept up the false cry of disorder, as an ex-
cusc for an armed police and standing
army TO maintain their ruinous ascendancy.
During the existence of these, there was
more or less of disorder and boodshed, but
it was caused by the police and black mill
tia, as every well-informed person knows.
With the meeting of the Thirteenth Legls-
laturc and the repeal of all the obnoxious
and oppressive laws, invented and put in
force by the Radicals to keep themselves in
place aud power, the State everywhere be-
came tranquil, orderly, peaceful and law
abiding, and, at this time, scarcely State
in the Union can compare with Texas in this
respect. We have just had the most quiet
election which has been held anywhere in
the United States We hear of no
disturbance in any direction, in any
locality. All were permitted to as
semble and vote for the party and
men Of their choice without the
slightest interference or interruption. 1t
was a noble spectacle, and the like cannot
be pointed at elsewhere, North, South,
East or West, within this broad Union of
State sovereignties. We have accomplished
great civil revolution without noise, riot,
or bloodshed, and at this moment, Texas,
considering her situation and circumstances,
is freer from crime and disorder than any of
her sister States. This may be denied by
Southern scalawags and Northern carpet
baggers, butit is true rs Holy Writ. And,
better still, this truth is making its way
everywhere, and immigrants from all parts
of the world arc crowding in upon us, anx
ious to enjoy with us all the advantages of
soil, climate and productions with which
Heaven has favored us. Let them continue
to come; the inducements are NOW greater
than ever. Hereafter we are to have gov
ernment by the people, administered for the
people, and all viii find their various inter
ests respected and protected, and get all
that mortals should desire for their perma-
nent peace, prosperity and happiness