The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-09-05
Gov. e. J Davis Claims the Green
hackers.


Some time ago the San Antonio
'Frsie PreSSen published an article re-
flectlng on the speech of Gov. Davis
delivered in Turner Hall in Austin, in
which he recommended united action
of Republicans with the National La
bor party for the purpose of defeating
the Democratic nominees at the next
election. The following letter Is an
answer to said article:
AUSTIN, TEXAS, Aug. %, 1sSs.
Editor s A Freie Presse:
1 read to -dsy, with interest, the
translation, in the Galveston Nctes, of
your late editorial in the "F'Feie Prose-"
regarding the advice gave Republi.
cans at the Turner Hall in this city on
the thirteenth inst. am sorry to see
that you disagree with me in some re-
spects, particularly in my recommended
tion to Republicans to vote the State
ticket nominated at Waco.
/ have thought, from the tenor of
your article, that perhaps you may
misunderstsnd me as recommending
the absolute merger of the Republicans
in what is called the Greenback party.
1 do not intend that by any means, and
/ think il Is not necessary result of
my advice.
1t has been decided by a majority Of
our State committee (after consultation
individually with their neighbors) not
to have Republican convention, and
therefore not Republican State ticket.
nl,lt H..
Democratic ticket, or the Waco ticket,
or remain at home-fail to GO to the
polls. l suppose it is the wish of al.
Republicans that opposition to the
Democracy should be maintained under
some form, and as the Greenbackers.
alone, offer, for the present, this oppo-
sitiop, infer it would be good policy
to vote with them for the present.
Their platform Is, in its worst aspects,
equalled by that of the Democracy.
You know that the Democracy has al
ways been ready to ''out Herod Her
cd" in the way of bidding for voters.
There is nothing, good or bad, that
they won'6 do TO secure success. They
have, substantially, in what you con
slider the financial theories, gone as far
as the Greenbaekcrs, and hope thereby
to get their support. On the other
hand, the Green back platform contains
many good features which Republicans
can well sustain.
But there Is another reason. There
always has been, since the commence
ment of the rebellion. large class of
voters who have dislkrd the practices
of the Democracy, but v no have voted
under their dictatiOn. From fear of
social ostrscism, or of the abusive cpl
thets which the Democracy knows so
we'll how 10 apply 10 reCnsarts, or Of
loss OF business, or otner Tea ,Ons, they
have not allied themselves with the
Republican party. This class Is now,
by immigration, larger than ever be-
fore, and includes many thousand vot-
ers. Fhey have Joined, 20 large
number, the Greenback organization,
but judge that most, If not all, have
done TO, not so much because of thor
ough' accord with all its theories of
finance and governmental policy, as
from desire to escape from control of
the Democracy. They are merchants,
farmers, mechanics and laborers, re-
spectacle citizens, who are TOO much
interested in the good name, peace and
prosperity of the whole country to
permit the belief that they purpose, or
will permit, any lawless proceedings.
We may, think, safely trust them
with the practical handling of such of
those theories as to look to US have q
revolutionary or ecmmGaistic tendency:
At any rate there is no apparent danger
commensurate with the great good
they may, with our co operation, do
/ TIE State by relieving il of Democratic
control.
AS long as the proscriptIve Democ-
racy controls our State, we cannot ex-
pect public economy or good govern
ment. 1t Is kind of oligarcby which
allows no question of its acts on the
part Of its followers. In what other
State In christendom would we see the
public debt increased three fold during
four years, while the receipts from tax
es are more than double those Of any
previous administration, and yet nc
comment on this management of affairs
is allowedf
Democracy is the evil of the day in
Texas, and it behooves US to use al
far means and enter into any honora.
BILE combination to overcome it. When
it is suppressed we may expect an era
of gooo feeling and wise government,
not before. Parties may then be re-
formed under other names and issues
(having no connection With the war;,
andithe passions and antipathies engen
dered since 1851 will pass away.
Very truly yours,
EDMUND J. DAVIS.