San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-09-25

methods OF barburism, anu IN tho very
nature OF things it can not DO done in .
day, II l am mistaken, and we arc "a
nccept tho Republican view OF theiI
people as thoroughly given over TO the
work Of treason aud the 70 enslave.
ment OF their colored population, then
the Union is virtually dismembcred al
ready, and tho Republican party con.
tesscs tho utter failure OF its scheme Of
reconstruction. The government, by
Z Constitutional methods. OF a great and
united section Of tho Republic which
defes the National authority, is imp0s-
sible, and tho folly of attempting il
should bo abandoned at once. These
"Rebel Districts" not only need troops
lat tho polls" but troops everywhere,
and should bo summarily turned over
as outlying provinces to tho tutelago Of
a standing army. -c
THE ISSUE AND THE ALTERNATIVES.
Now, gentlemen, If am right in
these views, as l feel quito suro | am
il the facts which mako up my premi-
SOS arc impregnablo and my deductions
valid--the chief task upon which l sot
out is accomplished. Tho bost and on.
ly possible way to inauguratc political
reform is to drive the Republican party
from power, aud place the Government
in new hands. by no other means can
the era OF sectional estrangement be
closed and the orderly and healthy ad.
ministra,ion Of affairs be re.csta blished.
This conclusion is not at all affected by
the conduct of tho Democratic party
years ago in its relations to slavery and
the war, nor by its record since. lthas
not been charged with the administra.
ton Of National affairs for many years,
with the slight exception Of its recent
ascendency 10 Congress, during which
the power of the lobby has been broken,
the political and social atmosphere OF
Washington greatly improved, and the
annual expenditures OF tho Govern
ment greatly reduced. But | do not
rest tho case upon these tacts. The
Democratic party is not innocent Of
very grave political mistakes and Of
fenses. This has been especially true
in particular States and Districts dur
ing the dispensation of plunder ana
misgovernmont which marked tho two
administrations of General Grant.
During the years of sectional bitterness
unavoidably resulting from tho war,
and nccdlessly aggravated by demagogues,
the Democratic party had . very trying
Experience, and often sadly failed in
meeting tho obligations Of patriotism
and craftsmanship. lam not here to
defend it where its conduct is not do.
fensiblc. | do not disguise the fnet that
should il now regain power it will have
on its hands work Of exceeding diff
Guilty. I do not believe in the power OF
any party to work miracles, but it is
the only instrument through which the
| IUoverhmenJ Uau ucW no ttssS---i f--.-
the depraved dynasty which controls it.,
and which, as have shown, has com.
pletcly lost the power of self recovery,
We cun not afford to postpone the work
of saving the country till perfect party
shall offer to under.a Ike it; and it is
always wiser to run the hazard of pos
sible or even probable evils than volun.
tarily to accept those which are certain.
Twenty years of power would demoral'
ize n party of angels. 1t would con
vert them into governing class, with
interests wholly apart from those OF tho
people, aud the complete overhauling
Of their misdeeds would only be posi-
bic though new party, stimulated 10
it's work by political victory, and hav
co onplete control of their records.
THE PERSONAL CHARACTER OF THE
CANDIDATES.
In following out the line Of argument
Indicated in my opening statements let
me now briefly refer to the personal
character of the candidates. Of Gen.
eral Hancock need say but little. Ii
is the singular good fortune of his coun
try and of himself that he does not
need to be defended. In private lie he
is above reproach. His honor is un-
sullied. There is no stain OF bribery
or official greed upon his garments. HIs
loyalty to the Union has been tried by
fire. and demonstrated by acts which
will make his name as imperishable as
the history of his country. His sub.
ordination of the military to the civil
power. while holding nn important
command, is u guarantee that, II elect
ed, the arbitrary methods which have
brought shame upon the Government
under Republican rule will cease, and
that staiemanship. and not mere brute
force, will guide the conduct OF public
affairs while the, is no reason what
over for believing that he will initiate
the conduct Of General Grant by sur
rounding himself with political bum
mers and knaves. lie is clean man
and il political reform should not b,
thoroughly accomplished under his Ad
miuisrration it will at least be made
possible by breaking up the organized
machinery which now stands ia its way
aud assuaging the bitterness OF sec
tional strife.
As regards the Republican candid
ste, | know hIm pretty we'll, hdylnl
served with him in the House OF Rep
rcseniatiyes cizhf years. Our personal
as we'll as political relations were at 81
times friendly. aud | have no disposition
" haieger 20 DO him any injustice. liz
j. a nan Of brains. and less inclined e
party nsrroxness aud intolerance, and
more catholic in his tendencies Than ih'
other conspicuous Republican leaders
The natural ben; Of his character is TO
ward INTEGRITY. and he is no, Withon'
excellent peTsonal qualities; but in hi-
long career he has never shown hiiussl ]
able 10 ri-e sbo his p1r'y. In time
of real trial he j. wanting IN mora
nerve. During the di-mal pOliiica
ec.ip-e which | have called Graaiism
he gave no sign q revolt or discoaieni
sat meekly held his peace. lie j
knoEa % be 10 sympathy with on
rre.f raiirar enrpsralions. and lalll