The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-01-08
Anour rnE coNvsNr,ox.


The time has arrived when Demo-
as oi T,x1s should settle down
upon dtfioiie plan OF action in pre-
pairing Tor the double Contest of this
yesr. a ns,ional convention must as
semble either in the sprlng ur the carly
summer, and that hsrmoay may at
tend the movements of both national
and state organic ltionsi it is clear
that the national democratic conven-
tion must be held in advance OF
state nominating conventions. What
~ the best plan to be pursued by
the party in Texas in moving towards
the ends t. be attained is subject for
serious contemplation. Delegates for
the national convention must be pre-
pared to take part in the
consultations and selections of the
psrty, but it is q moa.ed question how
these delegtt should be selected.
The STATESMAN is positively opposed
on principle 10 the executive commit
tee Of Texss acting alone in the prem
see, but expediency aud the impossi-
biity, perhaps, OF organizing two
popular c0GYentiops, in a short space
of time, may render the action of he
committee, alone, matter of necessity.
There are many objections however,
to the committee having entire control
of the selection of delegates to the
national convention. The committee
men were elected nearly two years
ago, when the many members OF the
democratic party enteit .ined fanciful
and not statesmanlike views as to what
the party should do. There was
wavering as to policy when the last
convention was held; there were hard
money Democrats and some Exceeding
ly soft money d ,inccratf; there were
| some pronounced Dem Gratis, but the
majority were eviuently weakened
and went around with their shanks
knocking against each ether at the bare
sight of Greenbacker. Bat expe-
rience is always II good doctor, and
while weak points have been strength
ened, We hardly know the Ixaci
weight that individual members of the
| committee may be allc to carry.
II lett to their own conv C iIns these
Committeeman might decide well
eaCugh, but there are oaly thirt5-one
of them, AID willy schemers, IN view of
probable astiop,rol the part of The
committees are already bending their
II Grts to shape the course to be pnr
saed by them. l. is understood that
one OF our United s ates Senators, who
secures the publication of Washington
letters in Texas papers placing him in
jnxtaposition with the foremost lights
OF the Senate, is anxious to WELD the
same Influence with Democracy in
Texas that UonkIins exerts over Re
publicanism in New York, aud while
this is evider tIy true it may also be
that representatives and other il flden-
t al men may desire to shape results
for similar ends, AMI in these things
comes the ruO. Already the party has
been seriously damaged by action in
The Interest of personal advancement,
and where so few men are tn be reach
Ell, though disposed to steer clear OF
entangIiDg influences, unwItlingly they
msy be led into snares. That one man
msy exert an influence in Texas to de-
feat support of Mr.. Blyard would be g
matter of disgrace to the State party, and
that one or more may arrange that Gen.
Hancock, or Mr.. Hendricks, or the ven.
erable Seymour shall not have the sup
port OF the Texas Democracy would be
q sad rttloot'on upon its character. Il
is not in positive opposition to this fea
lure of the case that the STATESMAN dis
cusses this question in this manner,
for, "a admitted, it may be necessary
for the committee alone to select dele.
z ties. l. would be preferable to have
selections made in convention, but
should the committeeman be called
upon to act, 1t is desired that they shall
understand fully the Influences oper.
ating about them, that they may
unhesitatIngly frown down any at
tempt, direct or indirect, to control
their opinions In the. selection o.
known opponents to certain presiden
tial aspirants. Should the committee
assume the responsibility of ap
pointing delegates to the natlons
convention, this should be done
a1d nothing more. Even the sslec-
tion of electors should be left tC
the regular State convention, which il
may be presumed will be held as soor
as possible after the adjournment OF
the national convention.