San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-07-05

Of the Dallas papers said the other
day that Texas would one day have 40
many people as the whole ofthe Uoit.
ed States has now. The programme
Of these ambitious Texss Democrats 10
to keep their state solid and make it
the controlling power in the Demo
cratic party, which they imagine Will
govern the country for generation to
come. When Texas is tull Of people,
Mexico will be annexed. they say, and
the South will gain prcponderauce in
congress that can never be overcome
They believe Texas will have twenty
members Of Congress after the census
Of 1880, and as many as New York af.
ter 1890. All this is absurdly vision
ary. but it does not seem so to the Tex.
as politicions. Living in big State
seems to have expanded their ideas and
ambitions without liberalizing their
politics. The plain fact about Texas
10, that notwithstanding its immense
geographical extent it contains no
more good land than Illinois. aud is
not likely to attain population Of
over 1900. 900 in the present century.
The character of the country and the
people does not tend to dense settle
ment or to the building up of large
cities. In o II probability the cities Of
New York and Brooklyn will always
have about as many inhabitants as
the whole of the Lone Stare State,
ltis hard to find Texan, however,
neither ignorant or intelligent, who is
not drunk with the wine Of great expec-
tations. The rapid development Of the
State since the hard times beginning
in 1873 started the tide of Western i'm
migration has turned their heads, and
the dreams they indulge in Of great
material prosperity and enormous ad-
vance in population seem to have had
the effect of making them intense aud
Interchangeable in their politics. They
think they owe a duty the South great
in the ratio Of the expected growth Of
their State. If Texas were little
State their responsibility would be
small; but they imagine it is to be Of
enormous political importance, and
they feel in honor bound to bring it
up as q reinforcement and powerful
support to their brethren who with
them struggled for the Lost Canse.
HOW NORTHERN MEN ARE CONVERT
Let it not be understood that Re.
publican is in any danger of physical
harm on account of his politics if he
settles in any part Of Texas. The days
of violence have gone by. Except in
a few localities the Democratic prcpon-
derance is SO great that there is no
temptation to encourage rufianism
to gain success. But there are a
thousand ways in which social and
business pressure is brought to bear
upon a newcomer to persuade him to
become Democrat, He is told enor
nous lies about radical misgovernmeDt
and rascality, is assured that the Re-
publicans, although no doubt very re.
spectacle people in the north, are a
very bad lot in thelSouth, and that he,
being well meaning man. should be.
ware of associating with them. He is
asked if he would like to see the ig-
norant, british negroes govern him.
and put taxes on his property. He
finds that the men of influence IN the
community, the large lapdholders,
merchants. lawyers and preachers
who can aid him in his struggle to get
On in life in his new home, are all
strong Democrats, who look upon q
Republican with suspicion.and aver
sion. Is it ary wonder that be isspeed-
lily converted to Democracy ? In case
be sticks to his principles and takes
an active part in politics as q Repub-
lican. the best people will not buy goods
Of him if he is q merchant. will not
employ him if he is q mechanic. will
not retain him il he is lawyer, will
not give him practice If he is doctor.
As farmer he can get along, because
his cattle and corn are as saleable as
anyone's, but he feels tlat he is under |
q ban and is looked on as hostile TO