The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-07


A convention of delegates from the several
counties win assemble in the city of Austin,
on Wednesday, the Sd day of September, A.
D. 1873, for the purpose of indicating the
future policy of the Democratic party of the
State, and also to nominate candidates for
the Office of Governor, Lieutenant Cover
nor, Treasurer, Comptroller of Public Ac-
counts. Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton and Commissioner of the General Land
Office. Inasmuch as no rule has been laid
down for obtaining the basis of representa-
ton, recommend that the several counties
send such number of delegates as they deem
proper, leaving it to the convention, as has
been done heretofore, to determine the
number of votes which each county shall
be entitled to 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 Sc
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 convention2 Have
you perfected your local organizations
Have you determined in your own minds
the policy that should govern in future, and
selected suitable men to 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 we'll understood
principles which have united you in the
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 ignis .fatuus of new departure, q
third party-wil-o-the-wi another
| jack-with-a-lantern search for split in the
republican party.
Do you demand that we shall return to
and stand by the doctrine of economy in
public expenditures, and that taxes should
only be imposed in order to defray the nee.
essary expenses of government economi-
cally administered, or are 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
manyG
Do you prefer that your offices and DO
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
1
demand your attention not only in State
Convention assembled, but in your precinct
and county meetings, let me urge You to
give to them the cOnsiderate attention theil
| Importance demands. Much has been done
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, (though not
to any greater EXTENT with their brethren
of other States of the South. ~ 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 the
writ of hG5eGs corpus, or, by declaration oil
martial law, suspend the action of the
courts and try the citizen before drum
head cOurt-martial That half civil, hall
military, half civilized, half savage body,
composed to great degree of irresponsible
and ignorant men, called State police no
longer lords it over the people, you are no
longer required to dance four days at
tendance at your county seats, in order
that you may deposit your vote, but instead
you have fair election law with precinct
ballot boxes, guarded against fraud in every
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 will be understood OF
appreciated, so long as there is majority
interested in keeping alive the preiudices
and animosities engendered by the past, or
powerful political organization fails to re-
store the confiscated property Of non-com-
battants, and refuses to permit thekplacing
of flower or an, evergreen on the grave OF
fallen Confederate. Our principles, how
ever, will survive the prejudices of the
hour, the sober second thought must give
reason her sway, or else the work of cen
tralization will go on to completion, let US
wait and hope for the best. Meanwhile lei
us ALL unmindful Of past political difference:
and inviting the cooperation of all good
citizens, whether native or foreign born,
unite as Oneman in building up our material
interests and securely guarding them by a
sound and wholesome State policy, by good
and wholesome laws, administered by
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 burdensome restraints on individ-
ual freedom, consistent with the public
safety. Hoping that all portions Of the
State will be represented in the convention
by good and true men; that wisdom and
prudence, tempered with moderation and
spirit of Cancellation may characterize
your deliberations, and that you may put
before the people the names of men who
will carry our banner to brilliant victory.
am, your obedient servant,
c. NJ. WRKLER,
Chairman Dem. Ex. Committee.
CoRsIcAEA, Texas, July IA, 1878.
--cr.-r, 49,, ,so,ur<,z