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


heart which is the surest guaranty 81 En-,
stability and permsnence Of our iustjsi
tons Opposing political parties. aspiripe
70 the control and direction of the nee
ment have existed under every 1.iitea
government in the world, ans riH al
ways exist. In a governrnosf hke s 0uIs,
they are necessary cor-aqaence. hen
based on principle sed inc 1osJe1e5
of great measures Of puone pony
when they demand popular connuenSe anu
support on account Of the cXceiiehce OF Iheh
respective theories Of constitutional con-
struction; when ,srneasures, not men, IS
IN truth their controlling idea, they constl-
tute the staunchcst prop, the most powes.1ui
element Of support, and the most eReeuVe
1 preservativc Of constitutional S~fernments
To- be found in the organization Of our so
icIetv. The masses ot~cne people are edu-
eated by them, - an understanding OF
che principles of the government. But
when cSandoningi or ignoring principle.
political parties become the mere partisans
Of men IN their scramble for power and
place, they are hurtful and demoralising
TO government and people, and bane and
curse upon the country. This is not
country for personal parties and personal
issues In the empires and Kingdoms of
the old world, when opposing dynasties
marshal their adheTents in contests for
crowns and sceptres, each claiming TO be
master Of the people by divine right, such
parties are legitimate, because in full ac-
cord with their theory of government But
here where the people are sovereign and
the Government constitutional, where al
men are free and equal, and where, in a
great measure, the preservation Of our pc
culiar form Of government, and with il Tie
liberties of our people, depend upon the
policy and measures of administration and
the principles which guide and control it,
no party should be trusted with power which
does not boldly avow and bI0zon On its ban
ners its leading principles and measures of
policy, and ask for them the popular in
dorsement and approval. The great civil
war with Its madness and passion is
thing Of the past while patriotism,
broad and comprehensive as our common
country, now possesses the hearts of ou- peO-
Pile. Reason and cool, unclouded intelligence
have resumed their sway Henceforth ac-
rimOny and bitterness and appeals to prcju-
dice and hate in political contests must give
way TO enlightened discussion of the ele
ment aud principles of government; and the
party which would propitiate popular favor
must achieve that result by appealing to the
sober judgment and intelligence Of the peo-
pie and through the excellence of its princi-
| pies and plan of administration. Hence,
repeat, the time has arrived when the peo-
pie of Texas, recurring to fundamental prin-
ciples aud drawing new inspiration from
them, should base their political action on
them and demand of their servants strict
adherence TO and observance of them in their
official conduct. The limitation of the Con-
stitution observed, and the rights Of local
self-government preserved, as it now exists,
| from further encroachment, the future is
bright with promise of stability for the gov
eminent and happiness and prosperity for
the people. Let the people be true to them
selves, and exercise With intelligence, with
wstchfulness and care, their elective fran
Understanding, as a condition to a be-
stowal of place and trust and power, capacity,
unsullied honor and integrity, aud unswery-
ing devotion to the principles and inner spirit
of the Constitution-and our government,
the freest on earth will 60 down, and carry
its blessings to our remotest posterity. In
der it, the inestimable boon Is now ours of
seeking the progress, development and ad-
vancement of Texas, end the happiness and
prosperity OF our people in our own way.
The genius, tastes, sentiments, feelings and
will OF the great mass of the people of
| ACAdS1 Will luA llGooAOEl III LAAC uNlAlAhAo-
tratiOn of their State government, and the
destiny of Texas, her glory and her history,
will be the work Of her own people. We
have the fairest land that the sun of heaven
shines on, rich in all the elements of great
ness, in yastness and extent, in fertility of
soil, in variety of climate and productions,
in ore and mineral, in beauty and grandeur
of scenery and in salubrity and healthful-
ness, and richer still in the heroic history
ofits people. This glorious land is ours.
Forgetting the troubles and adversely of the.
past, except the lessons of wisdom to be
20 -
membering only its giories, let us IN the
spirit of true craftsmanship look to the fu-
turc which lies bright before us, beckoning
us on to higher and more advanced civil
ization, to progress, development, prosper
ity and greatness, and by seizing the OPP
portunities in our reach show that we are
worthy of our magnificent country, and of
the heroes and statesmen who won and
transmitted it, With firm reliance on
the capabilities Of our people, an unfalter-
ing faith in the greatness Of the destiny
Of Texas, and determined purpose
to reach the highest excellence in
all that pertains to her development, and
to the material prosperity, and moral, intel
lectuRl and political advancement of her
people, let us mould the action OF our gov
eminent to the achievement of these grand
results. Let our watchword be progress,
and mean by progress that vigor
which may be impaired to the natural
growth o. Texas, by skillfui and gen
erous cultivation; the policy which is
broad and comprehensive enough in its
sweep 20 discern and utilize all the resources
OF the State--which leaves none of its
wealth unmined and none of the elements
untouched which may be used in build
ing up its greatness, that healthy, steady,
sturdy advancement which is born of in
telhgent, considerate, persistent effort
! to be up and abreast with the times
in all that is good and great, and which
carries along with It increased and
Increasing prosperity and elevation to both
State and people. The great purpose en-
braced in this idea should animate our peo-
pie and pervade all departments of our gov
ernment. We should mature, adopt and
pursue an educational policy, an internal
improvement policy, an immigration policy,
aud a financial policy, each 20 be improved
rs time and experience may suggest, and as
the changing conditions of the State may
require. With a common free school system
which shall secure to every child in the
State an education fitting him for the
high duties Of American citizenship an
immigration policy which shall make
known 20 the world the unrivaled
advantages of Texas, her liberal home
stead laws, and the eheapness Of her
lrica and productive lands, tho remunerating
prices OF labor, the healthfulness Of her
climate, the magnificent rewards of thrift,
energy and industry, within her limits, and
1 hV apnrOnriatc leQiSlntiOn stimulate and IN
crease the steady and swelling tide Of en-
teyprising thrifty and intelligent popnla-
ton, new pouring into her borders from
every quarter Of the old and new world. 4
wise and liberal policy, which shall invite
the investment Of capital in works of inter
nal improvement, especially IN the eonstruc-
ton of railroads, by giving ample margin,
FOR profit, and hy friendly and Just legisla-
ton, inspiring confdencs in the good Will
Of our people towards such enterprises, now
50 absolutely essential 70 the growth and de-