The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-04-29
THE ONLY TEST OF DEMOCRACY

There have been few copies Of the STATES
MAN in which the political proposition con-
stituting the basis Of the Democratic theory
of government has not been asserted, de-
Tended or illustrated. First, last, and for
ever, we expect the STATESMAN to PROFOUND
the theory and popularize the idea of local
freedom. In that consists true Democracy,
and in nothing else is the party true to it.
self. Democracy means free trade in some
States, and protection in Pennsylvania; it
is paper money and bonds where Pcndle-
ton is supreme, and hard money where the
New York World is the exponent Of Demo
cratic faith. Cass's Nicholson letter was
a pro-slavery platform for the South, and
before he died he said it was free soil, and
to be approved in the North alone, even as
the late President Folks Kane letter, that
made him President, was q pro-tarif paper
in Pennsylvania and free trade docu-
ment down South. In 1868 Democracy,
in convention in New York City,
denounced the constitutional amendments,
and declared for their repeal by legisla-
lures and people, and, four years later,
Democracy supported Greeley, who gave
paternity TO these horrible schemes Of Rad
icalism. These are minor questions, and,
while Democrats differ about them, there is
but one simple test of faith, in reference to
which there is no difference of opinion
among Democrats. 1t is embodied in the
simple, single idea of local freedom. With
this principle, the living body and soul
of Democracy, Radicalism is at war. Its
whole history demonstrates its purpose to
obliterate State boundary lines, and convert
the Union into a centralized despotism.
Therefore it constantly wldens the jurisdIc-
ton and exalts Federal courts. 1t mulhplies
Federal offices. 1t invades and restricts the
rights of the States. 1t overturns local gov
ernments, and sets up satraps as masters
over States, these very States having par
ticipated in the creation of the Union that
now unmakes OF devours them. There is
no test OF Democracy save this, and even
the Democratic theory is hardly approved
in its legitimate results IN New England.
But we only proposed to show that it
would be quite difficult for any Texan Gan-
-a,-u.--a..-s---.s- T0EEirff pOeent5 10 reao the
STATESMAN out of the Democratic party.
Very certainly Hon. John Ireland, though
herculean in all his intellectual and physical
outlines and magnificent proportions, if he
undertake this task, will signally fail. The
STATESMAN is more thoroughly Democratic
than Governor Coke, who would invest the
Legislature with power to restrict the
self-government Of counties and towns.
The STATESMAN, on the contrary, would
exclude the black rabble from the ballot
box in local elections, and leave to Texans
perfect local freedom and independence.
This is the only true Democracy, and to
crystalline its simple theories in the States
supreme law we would have convention
constituted of the wisest men Of Texas. 1t
signifies little what people say of them if
they be learned, and wise, and honest, and
il Judge Ireland's party conventions nomi-
nate such men the people should support
them. II Judge Ireland's conventions fail
in this, the people should repudlate them.
There is and can be but one test of Democ-
racy which we have here defined, and this
twaddle about "reading people out of the
party " because they may approve or disap-
prove an Ireland.made candidate for the
constitutional convention is stupendous
nonsense.