The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-29
The Colorado Citizen seems to

ascrlbe to Masonry and Odd Eel
lowship political purposes; and yet
after it says. circumstances point IL
this direction it asks: Can it b,
possible that this state of affairs ha!
its origin in the annual reunions O
the Masonic order at Houston
While we do not believe that poll
tics in any manner enters into thu
proceedings of the Grand Lodge
yet we can readily see how ambi
tious men may use the order for thu
furtherance of their own politica
advancement. At these annual re
unions men meet from all parts o
the state and they form outside o
the order friendships and organiza
tiOns that are entirely foreign to tn,
object of Masonry, and through then
the pipes are Laid, states are made III
for political purposes, and candi
dates are agreed on not for any dis
tinguished services rendered til,
people, but on account of services
rendered in the Grand Lodge anC
the friendships there formed. Som,
men in Masonry and Odd Eel
lOwship become regular profession
ais in the same way as in the bast
ball and regattas, they make it q spe
cial business and study, devotins
their entire time and attention tC
the working of these secret order.
to the exclusion of every other duty
and business of life. So that il
passes to a proverb that bright Ma
son or Odd Fellow is hardly fit fol-
else-he makes it trade
and to live must rise upon the infiu.
ence of the orders. Nothing could
be more regretted than to see arise
"A political party or set of aspirant:
for Office whose claims rest solely Oh
the fact that they have been grand
masters of any secret society. The
natural result would be the counter
like the one in days
when William Writ was candidate
for president of the United States
The Democratic convention OF
Brazoria county was an enthusiastic
body, and they worked like they
were going to do something in the
canvass. Mr.. A. Underwood
acted as temporary chairman and
Gen. Joseph Bates was then placed
in the chair. Both of these gentle
men have been i'll Democratic har-
ness in the old county since over for
ty years ago, and their names are
SYNONYMS of purity and honesty OF
purpose. Hon. John Adriance. an
other old citizen and earnest Demo
crat, acted as secretary, and Hon. NJ
S. MunsOn and w. Fort Smith were
delegates to Dallas and w.
w. Dunklin and Henry Z. Turner
A. Underwood and Jere
Warren were elected delegates and
James F. Perry and NJ. Hickey alter
mates to the fifth congressional con-
to be held at Georgetown
July 28th. j. p. Bryan and A. I'm
we're elected delegates and
j. II. Shepard and B, F. Atkins al
ternates to the Legislative conven-
ton ofthe district. Col. BallOwe was
chairman of the Demo
cratic executive committee. OF
the county, and Gen. Bates was
recommended as cleo
tor for the congressional district
The following resolution, offered
by W. Fort Smith. was unanimously
ReSolced. That we, in common
with all the citizens of Brazoria
do hereby tender our hearty
thanks to all of those members OF
congress who have labored so earn
estly in securing an appropriation
for the mouth of the BraZos, and
hereby pledge ourselves to hold said
in grateful remembrance
for their broad views and earnest eff
forts for the development of the
whole state.
jill. Shepard offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted
by rising vote:
ReSolred, by the Democracy OF
BrazOria county, in mass meeting,
assembled at the old historic town
of Columbia, the cradle of the liber-
ty of Texas, that here, in a place so
fitting, we joyfully approve and rat
ify the wise and patriotic action OF
the convention lately assembled at
Cincinnati, in their unanimous NOM
nation of w. S. Hancock for presi-
dent, and VIM. III. English for vice
president of these United States
thus giving an assurance of a return
to that original, patriotic, wise and
economic system Of government
transmitted by the honored fathers
of the republic: and we feel assured
that standard bearers, so mimpeach'
able, will be triumphantly elected in
next, to the advantage OF
the whole nation.
A. Underwood offered the follow
ing resolution, which was unani-
adopted, save one dissenting
vote:
ReSolced, That in Goverp9r .. NJ
Roberts we recognize the higher
qualities of honesty, integrity, pru'
dence and craftsmanship; and that
the Democratic party of Brazoria
county regard his reelection as gov
ern0r of Texas as of permanent inn
pOrtance to insure a continuation Of
our financial prosperity for the great
empire State of Texas, attained now
for the first time in our history, IN
der the administration of Governor
Roberts.
Resolred, That in the continued
wise and prudent administration OF
Governor Roberts we have reliable
future assurances of continued finan-
cial prosperity, reduced taxation
increased and improved educational
institutions, and of the protection
development and unbOunded pros.
perity of our vast empire state. That
throughout the long and useful life
of Governor Roberts, the many high
official trusts administered. by him
civil, military and judicial, not only
in peace, but in times that tried
mems souls.r " the ermine has never
been sullied." his escutcheon never
furnished. In this view, emay well
exclaim. IAN honest man Is the mo-
blest work of God
Democrats of Texas. unite with
us, and re-elect Governor Roberts
and thus secure the best interests oi
our great state.
The meeting was addressed by
Messrs. nj. j. Munsoa, NJ. Hickey
f. j. Wilson. Gen. Bates, y. Under
wood, Col. Atkins. w. Fort Smith
and j. II, Shepard, in earnest. pa
triotic and eloquent speeches.
The STATESMAN Yves especially re-
quested to publish these proceed
ings.
POLITICAL NOTES.