The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-02
GOVERNOR DAVIS AND THE mR.
MORIAB or CITIZENS OF TEXAS.

ing: Senator Morton presented q petition
IRON the citizens Of Texas, alleging that the
late Governor Davis was not permitted 70
serve out hh constitutional term by more
than three months, and alleging that the
December election was held in violation Of
law, (" which was referred to Committee on
Privileges and Election. Who ever heard
Of such q memorial befOrel And who are
the citizens who signed itl The memorial
may be lengthy without being signed by
many citizens. It would be much better
for the memoralists, and we would suggest
the plan as it would save much time and
labor, just to find out how many votes the
Radical party received in the late election,
then strike out one-half the number,
and place the remainder to the
memorial. This would probably give them
more than would be willing to stand by the
party. But jesting aside, il appears to us
that the doughty Senator is going little too
fast or long way too slow He either
totally diSregards the views Of the Presi-
dent aRd Attorney General or he intends to
act Independently Of both. IG either event,
he means mischief Heis one Of the able
bad men who would ruin to rule, and only
looks 10 the prospects Of success, regardless
Of ulteriOr consequences. But why do the
memorialists select Senator Mortonl They.
have Senator Flanagan there. who would,
perhaps, have no objection to serving his
party. Can it be possible that he, too, no
longer acknowledge fealty to the partyl
That he scOms longer connection with men
who entered the field with trump and ban
ner, ''cried havoc, and let slip the dogs of
warG" Who boasted of the green laurels
which we're being gathered for the brow of
their standard bearer, who was fast taking
the place of the old hero Of San Jacinto in
the hearts Of the people of Texas7 Who,
with his own hand, signed the law upon
which he issued the prOclamatiOn ordering
an election to be held at such time and
places as were therein mentioned9 And who,
after subseryient court, against the warn
ings and admonitions Of pfecedents Of law
and of lawyers, declared the law uncOnsti-
tutional and the election YoId, seized
upon that decision as paramount TO
his former convictions, and attempted.
at the risk of the peace and safety
of the commonwealth to hold on to the
Office Of Governor, in opposition to the ex-
pressed wishes of fifty thousand majority.
Well may the venerable Senator decline to
act in such case.
But does Senator Morton hope or expect,
by some hocus pocus, to have the present
incumbents removed, and Governor Davis,
or some other man, put in as chief butlers
How can it be done2 Does he hope to get
the committee TO report upon the validity of
an election in distant State, where oil is
peace and quiet, and no aid or assistance is
invoked by either Governor or Legislature,
to declare the election Yoid-to say that
the State has no republican government,
throw it back into territorial con-
dition, pass laws for its government and
appoint Governor and such other officers
as may be thought necessary to secure the
State to the Radical party If he does, it
will be we'll for the Senator to move slowly
and cautiously, for he will find dangers
ahead of which he cannot, it seems, have
any conception Of We will tell HIM plainly
that such interference will not be tolerated
by the people of the United States. The
legality of the election has been decided in,
the only way known to the laws and genius
of republican government and any at
tempt to prevent the servants of the people
from executing the laws and administering
the government will be met in such a way,
and with such effect, that the Radical party,
which is now on its last legs, would be
shivered to pieces beyond the possibility
of being reunited.
There is another view, which would be
more in accordance with sound wisdom and
may give reasonable solution to the mat
ter. The reference may have been made for
the purpose Of getting rid of the whole mat
ter. The committee may not notice it'at
all, or If they should, perhaps it viii be only
to report that it is not expedient to legis-
late upon the question. Surely itcannot be
that Senators would deliberately set to work
to destroy the government of State at
peace within and menacing no one. But so
contrary to all law and sound political econ
omy has been the legislation of the party in
power, since the war, that attempts to com
nit any acts violative Of the reserved rights
of the States excite NO surprise