The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-31
JUDGE nELAND's SPEECH.

In justice to the Hon. John Ireland,
whose coarse IN the last Legislature has
been the subject Of much animadversion,
especially on the matter Of railroads, we
have the pleasure Of laying before our read
ers to-day his speech in full, as delivered at
seguin on the twelfth OF July, and pub
lished in the Guadalupe Times. It is a
plain, clear statement Of what was really
done by the Legislature, and his own part
therein, without any rhetorical fourishes or
attempt at display, and will be read with in
terest by all lovers Of candor and truth.
We did not agree with Judge Ireland in his
opposition to the adoption Of the Constitu-
tional amendment, nor could we approve
the report, which he and others Of the
committee made at an early stage Of
the session on the question of the
States Indebtedness to railroads, and the
recommendation of repeal, which accom-
panied that report. We thought the Judge
too extreme on some points relating to rail-
roads and internal improvements, and we
took occasion to say so at the time, but we
never doubted the perfect honesty OF his
views and votes, while we could not but
admire the frankness and boldness with
which they were expressed and given. On
the various points of our disagreement, our
opinions remain the same, but we are glad
to find, by perusal of his late speech, that
on all matters strictly pertaining to the
Democratic party Of Texas we are entirely
in accord Soon after the adjournment of
the Legislature, in reply to the charges of
Reputation, which were so unjustly, as
we thought, brought against it and
the Democracy of Texas, we asserted
what we believed to be true that Judge
Ireland, as well as Judge Smith, in
case the courts decided the Interna-
tional bonds to constitute a legal debt
against the State, would be in favor of their
payment We did this from our knowledge
of the men, from what we, ourself, heard
from them in debate on the floor of the
House, and from what we could learn of
their position from mutual friends. Now,
we are happy to say, we have in the speech
before us the following explicit declaration,
which settles the matter fully, so far as
Judge Ireland is concerned:
The question is asked, if the court of
the last resort decide in favor of the Inter-
national Company, what then should be
done! The court of the last resort is the
proper tribunal to construe the Constitution
and the laws, and if such decision should
be made, it would be the duty of the Legis-
lature to provide for payment of the bonds.
Here is no reputation. The statement is
as plain as language can make it, and we
haze no tfeubt tiiygt saeh-AEill be the opinion
OF every delegate IN the coming Democratic
State Convention. Let us hear, then, no
more Of this charge against the credit and
honoro Texas. The Democratic party will
be unit on the subject of reputation, and
against it, It will do justice to all railroads,
and it win not submit to injustice from any
Of them. That is our position. We close
this article with the closing remarks of
Judge Ireland's speech, which we commend
most heartily as the true ground on which
every sound Democrat should stand:
There is being good deal said as to what
the policy of the next nominating cOnven-
ton shall be. AS for myself, want no new
organization, wish to see the Democratic
party revivifed, consolidated anew, and
pure Democratic platform adopted. wish
to see the people governed less. want to
see them shoulder the responsibility of So
ciety, and have them to feel that they are
the government, instead of mere machines.
shall abide the action of the convention,
and give hearty support to its nominees,
and trust we will have no independent
candidates; for whatever their motive may
be, the inevitable effect of their conduct, is,
to defeat the majority; and in this State to
promote the success of the Radical party.