The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1877-08-21
IFXAs POLITICS.

ltAAo Tullllyo'
Since the democracy ofleyas has
been allowed an 'oyon break" with The
republicans, since the national govern
ment has ceased 10 be a partizan power
in Texas, there has ben ostensbly but
one political organization In the state,
practically however there are ~ many
M there are asriranls for place or power
Each democratic chief has gathered
about him all the following possible
aud while there Is no war between the
rival factions on mere principles or
policies, as distinguished from each
other or the republican party, there Is
a bittor and relentless personal warfare
between them, which Is an unaeemly IN
itself az IL IL degrading and democrat
izing TO the young who ara coming up
to take their places on the stage OF po'
litlcal action Part Of this situation Is
due TO the fact that practically, the
caucus is tho nominating convention,
and the convention itself but the re-
sultant election, Was the relative
strength Of the two parties, demoortic
and republican moro nearly balanced,
these inside squabbles would not occur,
and the unity and devotion Of the mem
bors be secured, Higher aims, higher
objects and higher ambitions would re-
suit to tho manifest advantage Of the
whole state
Personal politics in America is n pos
litical solecism, and the dignity and
patriotism of the nation Is sorely in-
jured by ii, In our system men, unless
they represent vital and true principles,
have or should have no political sig
nihcance, 1t il not 50 much what a
man is, Us what he is striving for, which
should give him place and influence,
The time is last approaching when we
are to select the members of another
legislature, another governor and other
state officers. IL will not do for appli-
cOnts to say merely, ! am democrat,
stand squarely on the platform, and
will abide the nomination What mat
ter of grave import to the state does he
advocate, or oppose2 How does he
stand with regard to the great measure
of public and free education2 How
does he propose to meet the outstand-
ing indebtedness OF the state, and pro-
vide for its current expenses How
about frontier defense2 What about
the railroad policy Of the state2 What
about the public domain, the disposi-
ton of the school lands, internal inns
provomonts, coast improvements, the
general policy of the state with regard
to tho national situation. These and
thousand other things will or ought to
be asked of the future aspirant for
office NJ the hands of the Texas de.
mocracy, The mere personal popular
ity of the man and what he has been,
or has accomplished in the past, will
not be sufficient. What he intends to
do in the future is what the people are
interested in, and upon these plans they
have a right to be informed fully and
in advance of any action on their part
towards nominating or electing the in>
dividual.
The plan of accepting a man on his
general reputation and history, and
trusting to luck for what he may do in
the public service is an exceedingly
dangerous one, and ought to be aban.
doned. Now there are more men wills
ing and anxious to serve the public
than ever before in tho history of the
state. Come, gentlemen, what do you
propose to do for us, and why should
the people support you, If you are too
modest to answer, you are entirely too
modest to make good officers.