The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-14


which have now been going on for some
time among the followers Of Governor Da-
visand the maIcontcnts, who oppose him. It
is not strange that such men, as compose the
Radical party in this State. should fall out
and quarrel Few Of them, We may say,
none Of the leaders have any fixed princi-
pies by which others are governed in polit-
zeal matters. They have been and are now
Radicals and act with.the Radical party
solely for their monetary interests. The
various Offices, national and State, and
the money, power and influence, which
these command, are the real objects they
have in view, the only incentives to
zeal and activity As for the prin-
ciples of the Republican party, as
ayowed and by many at the North really
believed in, they care nothing for them.
They are protested merely to get position
and have opportunities of making money in
some way or other, by hook or by crook.
Il could not be expected that such men
would be held together except by the bond
Of mutual advantage. So when their indi-
vidual interests clash, they quarrel and
fight one another with ferceness and bitter
ness, which no difference in political opin
ions, honestly entertained. could possibly
produce. Knowing each other well and all
the acts Of dishonesty and meanness, which
severally or unitedly they have committed,
they do not hesitate to expose them to the
disguised eye of the public, in their frantic
efforts to iniurc one another and obtain some
advantage. As soon as these men, by the
aid Of the military reconstruction laws, got
possession of the State of Texas, these I'M
seemly and disgraceful quarrels COM
menced, and they have been continued to
this time, stopping only when pressing
and common danger urged them to unite.
Then, for while, the men who had but
yesterday stigmatised each other as liars,
forgers, defrauders and thieves" would
come together as a band of brothers keep
down the honest Democracy of the country.
Now, it would seem, from the late expo
sures, that the leading Radicals of Texas
are at swords points, and that they are
about equally divided. On the one part
are Governor Davis, Tracy, NewcOmb, De
Gress, Ruby, Quincy, and some others of
lesser note, and on the other, the Flanagans,
Clark, Fountain, sayIor, Quick, Baker,
Longley and others, comprising some of the
most respectable Radicals of the State. If
there is any acknowledged difference of
principle among these men, we have been
unable to see it. 1t is a mere struggle
for the offices of Texas-a rough
squabble for place and power,
noisy dog fight over the coveted bone.
Our readers are aware of the dis
graceful scenes at Washington between
Governor Davis and Gen. Clark, which has
made them the laughing stock of the Union.
We have tried to find out how these once
bosom friends became for the time enemies,
as q matter of curious speculation-not that
1t was at all important for us or the public
to know. It seems the negroes of Calves
ton thought, from their numbers, that they
should have something of the spoils, and
not be put of with the mere privilege Of
voting for the white Radicals. They in
sisted that Clark, holding the lucrative
Office of postmaster at Galveston, should
divide little-that is, that he should put
some negro subordinates in his Office. Gen.
Clark did not see it in that light, and re-
fused on the ground that the negroes were
incompetent This, of course, did not
please the colored man and brother.
Forthwith came Ruby and Quincy
to Austin, and demanded of the
Governor that he mist have Clark
removed, or the whole negro force
should be turned against him. Governor
Davis could see this, and he promised to
have Clark removed, and he went at it in
earnest, not that he loved Clark less, but
that he loved the negro and. the chance of
denomination more. The Radical vote of
Texas, apart from the negro, is a small
thing, and the support of. the colored
troops, who had hitherto fought so nobly,
must be secured. SO he went to Washing
ton, avowedly to sell bonds and talk Indian
talk, but really to get Clark and his friends
removed from Office and get his own friends
in. But Clark was there. Then the big
fight came of which convulsed the country
with laughter. Then the fight COM
menced, which is not yet ended, though
Governor Davis has come home with his
pockets empty Of bonds and his stomach
fun Of wrath against Clark and others. But
he has gained one important point-he
has secured the negroes and, through them,
the nomination at Dallas. Davis viii be
the Radical candidate for Governor, and
win have the honor OF being beaten from
thirty to forty thousand votes, If the De-
mocracy are united, as they must X. For
let them beware Of confding in this Radi-
cal quarrel and split for an easy victory,
even with divided forces. These Radical
quarrels can all be made up by the COM
mand Of Grant, and the ''liars. the de-
fnuders and the thieves can all come to-
gelher as lovingly and closely as litter Of
sucking pigs. striving only to drain their
old mother Of the last drop of milk And
there is another danger, which the letter re-
ferred to discusses. It IS there said. that
Gen. A. ]. Hamilton and Governor E N.
Peaso are pls.lg,i to so with them, il Davis
can Be thrown overheard. Is it not posi-
be that they may 50 with them, even with
Davisl Il they could make the pledge. as
stated. can they be depended on any uayi
Democrats, be on your guard.