The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-12
looMnuEIoArsD3
The Texas Frontier.


Editors Democratic Statssmd,, Ia several
Of your numbers there are editorial strict
ures upon the frontier bin that has met the
appreciation of the House Of Representa-
tives. We desire to say in the outset, thal s
friend of the frontier, We appreciate tllt
efforts of the STATESMAN IN advocacy 81
measures for protection Of that suffering
section. We know that the general coufec
of the STATESMAN has been IN favor Of the
utmost hberality Of men and means on tho
part of the State for the protection 81 the
frontier. What is desired now, IS simply %
call attention to the fact that the MEASURE
pending, and which has been acted upon by
the House Of Representatives, Is one upon
which tho majority Of the frontier Rep
rUsUutu6iTu1r have ulrEss3 ~ ef1J Lest
measure Of protection they can secure for
their Constituencies. It is rot perfect, BY
any means, nor is It as efficient hs they
would desire. But, In their advocacy of
this measure, they have been continually re-.
minded Of the fact that those who repre-
sent constituencies far removed from the
scenes OF danger, cannot realize the actual
realities of the terrible horrors Of blood
and suffering that are Of daily occurrence
along the line Of the frontier from Red
River to the Rio Grande.
citizens Of Texas we must acknowledge the
fact that If one weeks depreciation Of In
dians, such as occur every month The year
round, and year after year, IN Texas, vas 20
occur In Kansas, Florida, California, Ore
gon, or any Of the Territories OF States Of
the Union, the whole power Of tho FcdclnI
government would be brought 70 bcer 20
crush out the savages; but, Is iti IN Texas.
it seems unworthy Of note BY the Federal
authorities at the seat Of government. a
bitter and long experience in this regard,
with the knowledge Of tho fact that the Dr.
ganization Of regular State force for tie
protection Of cur people has been pfohips
tied by the general governments in days 8Qn.
by,-and but recently -hasinduced the Iep,
resentatiyes from the fF0ntierto be cautiono
and prudent in their efforts at relief, and
has forced them TO an economy and pol
icy that they would be glad 70 avoid.
Something they must have the present
measure, t Is believed, viii not be tbnoz-
ious 10 tho Federal authorities, and win in.
duce favor from the remote sections Of lhe
State that more expensive plan would ia'l
TO command. As 70 arguments Or Ica-
sons IN favor Of this OF that poI'1s.
newspaper article, such es TcEt
space would allow, cannot claDoIetei
We believe, as whole, that tho
present pending measure viii moIo nearly
meet the views Of the maiority Of the Leg
islature than q system more elaborate and
strictly military IN its features Tbs apan.
cial condition Of the State requIfce the iCr-
ping Of Of evcTyexpcnditufe that can b ~.
pensed with. II the people were but d '1'I
taxed, IL the State credit was above
prOach, and the State indebtedness f1'I1
provided for, then we might venture upor
a = -.
officers, quaTieTmastcTs, cOmmiaeafIe1
masters, together with ~ the elqTiolt
paraphernalis Of war. and send them q -
battle against our enemies. But We tnoH
there Is law Of Congress forbiadIn4 tII1
thing. when the Legislature OI 1880 ~
tiiorized, ard the Governor had n11a
Ross and Burleson at the head o. fe1|s
ment, 70 be selected and organized ~ t'.c.1,
Coneress passed law forbiddir8 anylI1t
Of the kind. The hearts % tie if1n.I
people bleed because such an 1f11uiEII ton
cannot be had q this time.
Patriotism, q well ns humanity. d 1c| a
that the best and tFuest and most e1El1ta
% frontier heroes should Be called I1Il ~
QUESTION IN . regular military orr .|rn
Tor the protection of he froafo n
nor money should Be WEIGHED Ia
tlle blood and suffering Of Tie Ilcn1sI
PIE. But the people o ne Apn
are not their own masters. they s
dictate their own terms. 4ce9 QI e
ing have taught the Lesson tnfl many q
flefr countrynsen AID relations IA tnl eItI
sections 81 The State % not
that tbeIr lino 81 esftlenc1k 8 ~
Of defense inforposed between their
fnl frcoides and 3 deadly and iEpl1 ~
foe. They have by long suffering I'D afl
humiliation been taught 70 know
however great their NrOe hgkettI
6bic nnd horrible their s0rD f1t ~
sympathy or little aid csn 81.
tended % them. They have been fot4 81
tie conclusion that their ~
relief must come "a lle a q
fear end trembling. and G 1
vail 81 exlEcneE1 nlofc 30 4
their fuef nights would ~ ceu4
nencc. 10 demand s i1IIJaI
With the plank u tie pIaII4n q Ie
would be EeQaIIcd q mc1r ~
1lr. Editor. tie mcdUf 81 e
measure ~ frontier r.I|el htl i11
loiure HhcntGcr te AdI1
any one else VIII o1l,I4 l1et ~
mere elective ~
fhrolrh this Legislature. la
TIE eIalnrc from che lIc1t
t'iis II|I VII ctc1llr|'E give 81
20 sl1 IIcrEeF end Is,f
"A IEH 1l1 IE