The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-12-23

ways, and only bribes Tom Scott to bribe
the leaders and the people. 1t will beget q
paralysis of Texas to accept this scheme of
codiEed Rutabagaisn, and if we stand still,
as Gov. Coke assures Us, Gov. Coke him
self at the helm, the ship of State will be
guided safely and surely into a harbor Of
perfect safety and repose. There will be no
interregnum, no anarchy. The government
subsists precisely as it was when the Ruta-
bagas attempted to overthrow it by vacat-
ing even the seats of members of the legis-
lature, and by seizing every appliance and
symbol of authority. The vices Of the old
| Constitution are theoretical and, practi-
cally, wholly void, while the Democratic
party is supreme; but the crimes of the
new Constitution are practical and aggres-
sive and ruinous to the people, To amend
it viii cost years of toll and millions of
money, and even its amendment, where
most baneful, may be rendered. impossible
by half dozen dolts sent to the Legislature
that they may be comforted with the assur-
ance that their constituents approve their
follies. An invaluable lesson has been
taught the country by the Convention re-
Gently dissolved, The people, seeing the
imperfect work, before them, and how u
| republic becomes despotism, and how the
freedom of communities and towns, to
evade. evils of universal suffrage, is thrOt-
tied, can now create pure republic and
ptc fl rl1hi inn
them to the exclusive control, by restrict
ing, suffrage. of the true people of Texas.
While we confess this new Constitution may
thus serve the country well as a guide post
and the old must be harmless while Dem
ocracy executes its mandates, we would
have the people of Texas read the carefully
prepared and written statements of Gov.
Coke given the Gazette aud published by
authority. Gov. Coke says:
"'" L WANT A FREE EXPRESSION AT THE
POLLS AND AM CLEAR IN THE CONVICTION,
THAT ALL ARE MISTAKEN WHO BELIEVE THAT
ANARCHY, CONFUSION OR INTERRUPTION OF
ANY CHARACTER WILL OCCUR TO THE GOV
ERNMENT IF THE PEOPLE SHOULD SEE PROP
Err TO REJECT THE CONSTITUTION"
1t will be observed that Gov. Coke. wants
a free expression at the polls. How can
this be, unless brave and honest people.
revolt against despotismY Was not
Judge Ballinger's proposition to have
al fair and an honest. election
voted down in the convention Did he
not say it was shameful to use the country's
offices as bribes held out to voters2 Has
not the moral sense of the country been
shocked when it saw Toms Scott come sim
pering into the Convention, and then he
was suddenly and violently kicked out, by
the Rutabagas, and two days afterwards
did not Tom. Scott leappear, silently and
sweetly, and tenderly, and when it was
agreed that he should have the tract of
country of greater area than Tennessee for
the behoof of his San Francisco, st. Louis
and, Philadelphia road, if he would only
secure the adoption. of the Constitution,
was not honesty, IN this case, as decency in
the former, shocked by the enermity that
was done2 There is not citizen of Texas
who approves the new Constitution as an
entirety, or in its general philosophy Of
government, unless he be an officcseeker or
oficeholder, or stool-pigeon of Tom Scott,
or sorrel-topped Rutabaga. We have yet
to read letter or listen to speech or scan
newspaper that approves the botched or
ganic code. People swallow it, as does his
Excellency, with awful grimaces, and
mainly becsuse anarchy was apprehended if
the Constitution. be defeated, Now that
Governor Coke declares explicitly that no
such calamity can accrue, to the country in
the contingency contemplated, we hope
that Texas may escape subsection to
a framework of, government which is
only framework of statutes and accept
able only because it may be speedily an
nuHed. It were infinitely wiser TO study
lessons before US and then create system.
which may endure tlfrougha long series Of
years, promoting rather than retarding the
growth in greatness of this majestic COM
monwealth. as 3ide r1s ,sidijgoroo0f -ss@i ia
a. I ir-