The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-05-27

lapsing into the hands Of Ward, Dewey &
Co. His Excellency, the Governor, with
ell this force Of Radicalism mainly in his
own hands, for the life Of him couldn't
see why the Democratic party should be
specially invoked when a Constitution was
TO be made by the PEOPLE Of Texas to make
agovernment Of the people and not of party
forever. Therefore, in his first letter on the
subject, Governor Coke only advised the
election of the wisest and best men in
Texas. But he could not stand the pressure
of Ireland's appeals. Ireland had Tashly
and selfshly plunged headlong into the old
stagnant pool of partisanship, and was
anxious to stir up its utmost depths. There
are rich crumbs of comfort always at the
bottom for the gay birds that glitter and
glide lustrously over the sea Of partisanship.
1t is very like the dead sea of the history of
the church in former ages. Stir it aud the
bones and skulls and reeking flesh and mem
ories Of martyrs rise to the hideous surface.
Priestcraft was potent then, and it was q
sad day for the leaders when the people be-
came free; but the people revolted and
priestcraft was paralyzed and freedom of
thinking and action blest progressive civ
iIizatiOn and beautifed the church and
gilded with glory the fortunes of nations
and peoples. Ireland is the impersonation
of the old autocracy of priestcraft. He
would not have the people think. He be-
lieves in party. Whether we fight wind
mill or Boulds Baker or the wreck of Rad
icalism in charge of Ward, Dewey 6 Co.,
he would have us march against it full pan
oplied for war. And then when the people
could not see through Ireland's glasses, the
Governor has happy second thought and
comes splendidly to the rescue. At this late
day, even now, he suddenly sees how
indispensable 10 party in framing the
organic law of an empire. Great God !.
and shall it be said in future years, when
ten or twenty millions occupy the places we
now inhabit-shalI it then be said that
twenty years ago one Coke, being Gov
ernor, and one Ireland, heir to the place
and prime minister, undertook to make a
Constitution for this mighty common
wealth. 1t is surely the funniest as saddest
chapter recorded in all the book OF time.
The people were going about the business
wisely, patricticaIly; but the leaders Of
party had personal ends to gain. They in
jected their passions, their aims, their sell
tishness, into the masses, and there came of
it wretched partisan system of organic
law, and within FIVE years the people were
forced to repudiate it. Ireland, and men
like him-wretched partisans, and lifelong
habitual officeseekers and officeholders-
went into the convention. The farmers
were ruled out, and the partisans had not
even the courage to protect towns and
counties against desOlation at the hands of
the rabble, and thus the worst were invited
hither, and the best populations of older
States were repelled. A timid, selfish, am
bilious, tlme-serving, partisan body of men,
instead of patriots and statesmen, were
convoked by Governor Coke, and by this
man Ireland, to do this unholy work for
Texas"
And may God pity them if 1T be thus
done. We only differ from Governor Coke
and from Judge Ireland to the extent that
our first duty is to the State-to Texas;
theirs to the party-tO themselves.