The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-05-11
COKE's 1T SIG
NIPIES.

Fortunately for the Democratic party,
and most fortunately for the well-beirg of
Texas, the contest for the United States
Sena,orshIp hiss resulted In Governor Coke's
elsction. How we'll ard. vonhil5 he may
dll the place remains 20 he seen. Very GER
tainly none will ever complain that be will
not bring to the discharge OF the duties of
the high Office sound, strong, vigorous
intellect, an iron will and infinite capacity
fer labor. He does not enter the Senate
to display wonderful oratorical faculties or
Summers arts of the scholarly rhetorician.
He will be, practically, the most forceful
and useful Senator, as we honestly believe,
that for many years has represented the
State, and for the very reason that he is the
most psinstaking and most richly endowed
with that description of genius known as
common sense. He has not been addicted,
as Governor, to vain display in his conduct
among men or in his messages or inter
course with Legislatures or with the Con-
vention. On the contrary, as his Estate
| papers show, he has investigated thor
oughly and discussed with infinite care and
research every question, however minute,
that might influence the fortunes of the com
monwealth. His two last annual messages,
now before the eOuntry, have been rarely
surpassed in any element of excellence, and
he who knows most of the conditions, in
terests, progress and necessities of Texas,
as related TO the Federal Union or AS affec-
ted by domestic Legislation, is most nearly
the equal of Richard Coke in fitness for the
exalted position to which he has been ele
yated. Honest, patriotic members of the
two houses of the Legislature have thought
it wiser to select representative of the
State whose personal history would have
assured the North of our fidelity to the
! Union. We respected the motives
of these adherenrs of Judge Han
cock, whose abilities and worth have
not been questioned, and have only dared
to think 1t wise to send to the Senate an
original secessionist. Governor Coke's
identity with the people of Texas in preiut
dices and opinions cannot be questioned. Ii
Judge Hancock occupied II tmilton's chair
his assertions of this character would be
deemed only those of the man Judge Han
cock, while Richard Coke-it will never be
questioned-would be the veritable mouth
piece of Texas. They who have heard
the Governor speak publicly and pri-
vately and are most conversant with
his opinions happen to know that
Senators and party leaders at Washington,
and throughout the Union, will soon learn
that Senator Coke's patriotism, like his ca
pacious, vigorous intellect, grasps the whole
country, and that, however ardent was his
devotion to the cause that was lost, his
genius can comprehend the grandeur of
that which triumphed, and contribute to
the consummation of schemes of states
manship best calculated to make the Union
enduring and as beneficent TO rom te States
rs to those under the shadow of the Capitol
at Washington. These facts affected our
conduct rs this related to the contest be-
tween Coke and Hancock. aE
Judge Ireland's history has been that of
an extreme Southern Democrat. As a
| Southerntr and sect s.ionist and Democrat,
he is the antipode of Hancock, and yet,
strangely enough, very macy who had sup
ported Hancock, when he was Withdrawn,
voted for Ireland. Hincoek's war record
and pre-cminent Union:sm made HIM ac-
ceptable to Radicaliem as a supposed doubt
full Democrat, while Ireland's brusqueness
of manner and thinking and extreme or
hard opinions and congealed prejudices
made him acceptable to those who surely
would do nothing to promote In the presi
dental election the interests of the Demo
cratic party. Ga the contrary, every siu-
gle supporter of Governor Coke was
an unaduterated Democrat. Two Repub-
licaDs voted Tor Mr.. Tracy, of Houston,
one Democrat, Judge Terrell, and one Re
publican, Mr.. Mead, voIed for Hancock,
houses voted for John Ireland. Thus ex-
tremes do ever meer, aud thus the moder .
tion and, alike, the wisdom OF Governor
Coke was attested. Happily for Texas,
there has been the least possible mani
festa;ion of iemper. save by those who
had least iLhu,nce in shaping re-
suits, during the pendency o., th's contest.
There have been no charges of corruption,
and no violent or iifiimm1tory or passion
ate speeches. Members of the Senate and
House have Wed with one another, during
the pendency of the election, through f,uI
days, in illustrating nobility of conduct
and feeling and gentlemanly bearing, and,
while Texas may congratulate itself on the
result, the State may well boast of repre-
sentative men who accomplished it.