The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-08-22

pie truth of Hancock and of his rela-
tions to the people and State, and We
ask each good citizen, who loves Texas
more than he loves absurd prejudlces
and dead memories, TO read this speech
of Judge Ballinger. He said, when he
nominated Hancock in the Brenham
convention:
By the instructions of the delega-
tion-the unanimous delegation-from
Galveston county, I place in nomina-
tiOn before this convention, for its Sc
lection as the Democratic candidate for
Congress from this district, John Han
cock. The choice of our Congressman
is of common concern and of great in
terest to this entire district-a district
embracing the capital of the State and
the heart of its most productive re-
gion. But it is Of peculiar importance,
1t is of vital importance, to the city of
Galveston. Our location, our sltua-
tion place US in the most direct rela-
tions with the Federal government. 1t
is 20 the Federal government we are
compelled to look for that legislative
aid which it is our right shall be ex-
tended; not with stinted, stepdame
hand, but with parental iberality, to
assist Galveston forward in her right
full destiny connected with the State of
Texas.
We stand at the ocean gateway to
this broad, imperial State. All the
abounding and enduring interests OF
the people of the State demand that
they shall possess the best facilities to
reach the ocean with their teeming
productions, and send them abroad on
all the wings of commerce, and the
best facilities for the coveted produc-
tions of the world to reach them In re-
turn. This object, we feel, should be
the cause of TINS entire congressional
district, of this vast State, and of ex-
panding States and Territories beyond
our borders. 1t is one of existence it
self to Galveston. You can continue
to grow your crops and to deal with
the world, although under serious dis
advantages. Our position is one alone
for commerce, and then for other
things which follow and are incident
to a commercial emporium. And to
remove distractions, to develop our
natural advantages, to fulfill our use
fulness to this agricultural State, we
are dependent upon the general gov
ernment.
Mr.. President, we wish no misap-
prehension of the judgment or senti-
ment of Galveston. We recognize |
faithful, Jealous, useful service to US |
and to the whole district on the part |
of our present representative, Col. |
Giddings. We feel that he is our
friend. We are his friends. He pos |
sesses our esteem and gratitude. And |
certainly we have no enmity to the as
pirations of the gifted gentleman who |
will have an enthusiastic support in |
this convention. But 1 repeat that |
this subject is one of constant, of sleep |
less concern to Galveston. And there |
is an intelligent, a clear, profound
conviction on the part of the mer- |
chants, the business men, the working |
men, on the part of the masses of the |
people, that, In the possession of those |
strong, commanding, practical working |
qualities which go to make up the |
ability and efficiency, the force and
|
to give him trust and weight and sue
cess, the man who can do Galveston |
and this entire district the truest, |
greatest public service, is John Han
cock. In the chaotic and threatening |
times in which the entire country Is |
placed, surrounded with real eyils, and |
threatened with dangers which peril |
our institutions, to no Democrat in this |
district do we believe we can look |
with so much assurance and certainty |
of success IN the coming election as to |
him. Most earnestly, therefore, do we |
present him before this convention.
We do not present him as having al
ways been IN accord with our judg- |
ments and feelings.
Not as a man of complying, yielding |
and always gracious temper.
Not as a man who practices even the |
just and wise arts that make the popu |
lar public servant, conclliating preju- |
dice and seeking to soothe and win an
tagonists.
But we present him as man of true
and grand courage, ever faithful to
honest convictions, of the most tested,
reliable and approved abilities; repre-
sentative of the Democratic party; rep
resentatiYe of all the best interests of |
this district; and we present him as
man blending in his character those
virtues in that eminent degree that, as
a bold advocate, faithful agent, a
wise public servant, in word, the
best representative in the Congress of |
the United States, we rank him the
highest and first; and we ask of this |
convention his nomination as the best |
discharge of the important public trust |
they are assembled here to perform.