The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-09-14
ntion. l invariably and firmly declined

to permit my name to be considered. To
the truth of this assertion might call upon
many gentlemen, here aud elsewhere, to bear
witness, without the slightest fear of being
disappointed as to their testimony.
Whenever and however approached upon
the subject, my response has always been
unequiyocally in the negative. Even so
late as when Judge Hancock's name WAS
being Withdrawn, was asked upon the
foor OF the convention, aud in the pres
eRce Of Mr.. J. O. Higgins, of this place,
by q number Of the Travis county delega-
tiou, IL was in the hands OF my friends.
replied promptly and firmly that was
not
However much my friends at home may
have desired that the honor OF the nomina-
tion should have been conferred upon me,
all of them well knew that could not
and would not accept it il rendered. The
Bastrop county delegation could not, there
tore, have been lrrltated because Of the
failure OF the convention to honor me with
the nomination. Nor is Col. Jones q can
didate for any such reason, nor would he
be. To suppose so would be attribunng
to him motives entirely foreign 10 his high
character. 1t would be basing his candi-
tacy upon purely personal grounds, with
OF the advantage of u single political prin-
cip% Nor is it because Of any solicitation
Whatever, directly or indirectly, from my
self, or rom any other delegate from Bas-
trop couRy who participated in the Aus
TN convention. He and I, though warm
and intima'@ friends, have never had the
slightest CONVERSATION upon the subject. In
fact, II mas notseen mentioned or referred
to BY either to tie other. Col. Jones is .
! gentleman in the highest and truest sense
of the term, and his friendship is worthy
| the desire OF any man. He has been sin.
cere friend TO me Tor niau4 wears, and am
more indebted to him Han 10 anyone
else for whatever Advancement / have
made In life, for all of which
| am and shall ever be deeply grateful.
He is as jealous of the honor of hitfriepds
as Of his own, and he would not have me
do otherwise, were so disposed, than 70
support, in good faith and in sll sincerhy.
the nominee, Col. d. G. Giddings, which,
as delegate participating in the proceed
iugs of the convention, and as chairman of
the Democratic State Executive Committee,
I, shall most certainly do. II had been an
aspirant for the nomination, am proud to
believe that Col. Jones's regard for me is
toe high and too pure to permit him to
place NE in the awkward and unpleasant
position that would result from his becom-
petitor. entertain the same high opinion
of my co-deleeates to the convention, all Of
whom are men of honor and would not put
themselves or me in so unenviable an htti-
tude before the country. If the report be
true in any particular, then have indeed
been guilty of the grossest duplicity, and
yet have practised it so elumsily as to make
II apparent to the most careless observer.
The convention had scarcely adjourned,
when / appointed as elector (for which /
have been severely criticised by many)
gentleman Of acknowledged ability, high
character, and extensive popularity, that
he might assist the nominee in making q
thorough and vigorous canvass, and thus
render his election doubly sure. Yet, at
the same time, my co-delegates, with my
self, are said to be using every effort TO
work up strong opposition. The whole
story-by those who knew the gentlemen
who represented Bastrop county in the con-
ventiou-will be regarded as supremely
false, and bears the appearance of an at
tempt by the parties originating and circu-
lating the report. to cast upon Others the
responsibility for state OF things justly
belonging to themselves, and over which
they may be secretly rejoicing.
I'd And further, the charge is an evidence OF
the deepest ingratitude towards a delega-
ton composed Of old citizens and honorable
men, and who had stood firmly and un-
faltenngly by the choice Of the Travis
| county delegation through more than nine
| ty ballots, and did not abandon him as long
as he was in the field-that these same men,
representing county that has always Civ
en- her warm ana ardent support 70 Aus
tins favorite sons, whenever they have been
brought forward for official position-after
4 n - =