The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-01-22
BRoAD DAY.


Out Of the darkness INTO the light. Out
Of the deep pit and sink Of pollution into
the sunbeams and on the solid ground, with
the fresh pure air Of freedom stirring our
pulses and swelling our hearts. Thank
Heaven that We have reached this goal at
last. Through the long and dreary night,
we have watched and prayed for this hour.
Deprived OF self-gOvernment, ruled by bay
oncts, or by corrupt and reckless men, i'm
posed upon Us by power it was vain to re-
sist, for seven years we have struggled on,
hoping against hope and bearing up man
fully against despair We have borne wrong
and outrage with a patience and forbearance,
such rs the world seldom exhibits and truly
wonderful Ind marvellous in people so
spirited, strong and brave. We have seen
martial law proclaimed by a civil
ruler for the purpose of robbery and
murder. We have seen an igno-
rant and brutal race, but just emanci-
pated, organized and armed to domineer
. over their late masters and insult and pro-
woke them. We have been taxed and dcs-
poiled Of the fruits Of our hard labors that
a band Of greedy officials, in whose ap-
pointmcnt we had no voice and could in no
way control or check, might riot in abuA-
dance and disgrace humanity by their con-
duct. We haYe endured ali this and more,
that language would be weak to describe
and volumes insufficient to record, and
waited and longed for the time when free
dom and justice should once more return to
reward and bless us. We were powerless
and our cries for succor were unregarded
and vain. Our courts, to which we had
been accustomed to look up for protection
and the redress of private and public
wrongs, were organized expressly for the
benefit Of our oppressors, to give them the
appearance Of legality, while they were
plundering our homes, insulting us at our
iiresides OF dragging Us of to prison by false
and frivolous accusations and pretences, IN
vented and preferred by the most ADAM
doned OF social outlaws. We could do
nothing for present relief As patriots, I'M
willing to embroil the land we loved once
moro in the horrors of civil convulsion and
bloodshed, we had nothing left US but to
bear and suffer and wait for the anxious day
OF delivcrance from the darkness and ter
rors Of bondage. Ithas come at last, though
il seemed to many as fit would never dawn,
and their hearts grew heavy within them
and they felt like sinking under their bur
dens and yielding up in despair. They had
so often hoped and been disappointed that
they grew weary of watching for the first
faint streaks Of morning, and began to fear
that the gloomy night would have no end.
As in the natural, so was it in our political
horizon, the darkest time was just before
day. When the reckless usurper had
filed the halls Of the Capitol with
armed rufians to overawe the chosen
-..o,,,.-ss------------ ss---s---r,tS ana pre-
vent the installation of their legal Gov
ernor-when peaceful citizens were rudely
seized or their progress stayed by bayonets
and rcvolvors-when even the unoifending
Mayor Of our city was arrested by Infatuated
negroes, excited by pretending and lying
officials, whom they had been taught it was
loyal to obey, and its citizens as with one
win aud purpose rushed to arms for his
rescue, and were only restrained from just
retaliation by the GOODNESS, prudence and
unninching frmness of their leaders-then
it was that tho blackness Of darkness fell
upon as and the most hopeful tremblod for
the issue. Once moro, thank Heaven for
bloodless triumph. Thanks, unnumb-
cred thanks, for the restoration of self
government, through Governor, Lieu
tenant Governor, and a Legislature of
the peoples choice. fairly elected to carry
out their viii and secure their peace,
prosperity and happiness. The night has
gone. It IS tho broad day.