The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-05-06
waAr Is pEsEocnAcrs


the Democracy Of the United States, as the
STATESMAN defines If, as too contracted
Broad or narrow, as We present it, it en-
bodies the only idea in reference to which
there is almost universal concurrence. The
srATEsHAx would willingly make Free
Trade q further test Of Democratic sound
ness, but the Granges-the farmers Of the
country mercilessly robbed from the gov
ernment's foundation to this good hour
that all other classes may be enriched by
their rpoyerty-even the Oranges have gone
of on a false scent after railways, their
greatest benefactors, and dare not assert
adhesion to Free Trade. Georgia is a
model Democratic State; but If we make
ssfree trade" ''the issue" as an ddslendum to
local freedom, the wealth and intelligence
Of Georgia would combat the idea. In
very truth cotton manufacturing establish
ments, sooner or later, must be transferred
to the cotton fields, and when this occurs
the South may find opposition to Ssprotec-
tion'' less prevalent and infinitely less vio-
lent than to-day. As regards other ques-
tons the honest, intelligent masses Of the
people concur to an infinitely greater ex-
tent than we imagine. A politician goes
about anxious to quarrel. He is always
belligerent and finds enemies, who, if ap-
preached differently, would differ from him
in. nothing. In fact, partisanship, when
resolved into its original elements, consists
moro of prejudices and false preconcep-
tons than in facts or convictions or opin-
ions, and the most violent partisan is either
a man Of unreasoning self-conceit, Of terri
BILE prejudices, iron-clad by ignorance. or,
he has his own tsfish to fry' and, therefore,
keeps the fires of hate perpetually ablaze.
It would not do for standing candidate
for Congress in Radical district to suffer
the people to have time to think. The ex-
citement must be kept at fever heat, other
wise Democratic truth would penetrate the
thin veil of prejudice, the party would be
disorganized, and the Democratic rival win
the salary and perquisites and honors of the
distinguished position. The rule, it
may be imagined, and mode of reason
ing operates in both directions and
we concur in the necessity for
party eompaC tness to the extent that the
fortunes of party leaders themselves are
involved. Their interests are promoted
when We are always fighting and always
appealing to the passions and prejudices of
ignorance. We see the necessity as plainly
as any gentleman anxious to win the Gev-
ernOr's place or even seat in the Senate.
Whether popular interests and those Of the
party leaders are always concurrent is a very
different question. We happen to believe
that at this particular juncture in the for
tunes of Texas, the lnterests of the people
would be most promoted by the subordina-
ton Of partisan to popular interests. We
would rear a perfect fabric of government
from foundation stone to the blazing dome
to remind US OF the durability and glory Of
the bended heavens, and can see no neces-
sity, at this moment, for the intervention
of Democracy, and still less of Radicalism.
The occasion, too, impels US to forget the
passions and hates and instincts of parti-
sans. Not long ago the whole population
of the country were condensed into one
mighty incarnation Of valor, and, for the
first time in the annals of humanity, men,
women and children were joint participants
in a grand conflict and joint heirs of its il
lustrious renown. Towards one another,
towards our political institutions we are all
republicans same republicans as when,
in 1889, we shaped the Federal Constitution
to be the embodiment of the popular will.
BY the same lofty impulses and heroic aims
Texans should now be guided when entering
upon q task pregnant with results as vast
and enduring to ourselves as were those in
volYed in the construction of the Federal
framework Of government to the people Of
the continent. aas Frrola s.hl
Civilization never outgrows great prin.
ciple; circumstances never lessen its value
time, ruthless in all else, never dooms it tc
decay. A great principle is not an inyen-
tion, not discovery, not a creation. It is
a revelation-the thought of God eommu.
nicated to mani and as He pleases, at diff.
fefent intervals page after page, chapter
after chapter, are added, The very nature
Of such principle renders itsupreme. In
vested with supremacy il subOrdinates all
other principles TO itself, infuses into them
its vitality and rSigns as sovereign in the
world OF thought. Rule it viii, rule il
must, because Almighty God is in it.
Such principle is local freedom in gov,
ernment, and such principle is the living
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