The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-22
THE STATESMAN AND IFS POLITICS.

THE STATESMAN AND IFS POLITICS
A reference to the STATESMAN
this morning, may not be amiss in
these columns. In 1871, nearly ten
years ago, the paper first gave its
salutation to the public. 1t was met
with kindly sentiment, and it was
placed under lasting obligations to
many for encouragement from its
very inception. 1t was. indeed. in
augurated under encouragement of
the Democratic executive committee
of the State of Texas, at a time
when Texas was given over to Rad
cal misrule, and its early history was
attended with a fierce struggle
against the wretched political ele-
ments, that then controlled state, and,
to great extent local affairs in
almost every part of Texas The po-
litical canvass in which it first engage
ed, was the contest between congress
sional aspirants in the fourth dis
trict, then composed of nearly all
the country west Of the Brazos river,
and of even portion of the terri
tory to the east of it. The Radicals
had two years before return
ed their man to Congress,
and the polls and the regis
tration and election machinery were
still in the hands of the corrupt
band, that had disregarded and were
still ready to disregard the results
of the ballot; but John Hancock was
chosen by SO overwhelming a ma
jority that the opposition paled and
subsidized before it. The services of
the STATESMAN were recognized as
of much weight in this canvass, and
we have always had a consciousness
that this service, in labor of love,
had something to do with the selec-
ton OF the Democratic nominee.
Austin was then, politically, in the
hands of Radicals, and in the ensu-
ing year the paper entered into q
local canvass for city Democratic
organization, and for city Demo-
cratic nominations, and again q vic
tory was achieved for the party, and
Democratic city officers were inau-
gurated. In the meantime Demo-
cratic officers had also been elected
for the county, and in 1874 city,
county and state had passed out from
under yoke of oppression and mis-
rule. In struggle for office
it frequently happens that any party
may make mistakes, and it became a
sad passage in the political history
of our capital city, that one who had
been entrusted by Democrats with
the highest place in the gift of its
people became a party disorganizer
and through him and his instrumen.
talities the city government was
again turned over to the enemies Of
| Democracy. Travis county has re.
manned Democratic, and when the
people of the state and county have
been called upon to select officers
Travis county Democrats have gen.
orally performed their duty towards
the entire ticket. These politicaI
features are referred to in connec.
ton with the history ofthe STATES
MAN, for the purpose of showing
that it has always been with the
true and regular Democracy, anC
that ii has ever been the enemy Ot
Radicalism, Republicanism and ev.
cry other ism opposing it. In 1873 il
followed the party in the endorse
ment of Mr.. Greeley, and while il
believed an error had been conf
mitted, it recognized it as one of the
head and not of the heart. Though
resulting in party calamity, it in
volved a principle showing fully
the self denial of Southern people
in the interest of sectional peace and
harmony, and patriotic Democrats
can thus excuse the error. 1t was
however, not soon to be forgotten
and theSTATEsMAN has since that day
held to pure Democratic tickets or tc
none at all. Persistent efforts have
been often made by Democrats in
local elections to secure the en-.
dorsement of mongrel tickets, com.
posed alike of Democrats and of Re
publicans, but the STATESMAN has
refused to take part in all such
movements, seeing that they meant
the certain defeat of the community's
best interests. Last year efforts
were made by Democrats to induce
the STATESMAN to take issue in 9
city election for men who had never
been Democrats, and it supported
what it regarded from the first an
unsuccessful ticket, simply because il
knew that organization was necesi-
ty; and it was then stated in these
columns, more than once, that
though facing probable defeat
Democratic effort, at that time, in the
interest Of a pure ticket, would be
productive of good in 1880; and so il
has been. As to the efforts the
STATESMAN has made, from that
time until this day, for the organiza.
ton and activity OF Democracy
all have the facts fresh in memory
and the result of this continued ap-
peal for organization is now before
us. We had almost forgotten to
mention, since its influence is NO
longer felt in politics, and since er-
ring Democrats have found their
way out of the Greenback clubs and
back into the ranks OF their old par
ty, that great modern political folly
opposed from its inception by the
STATESMAN, while prominent Demo
Gratis csjoled it. In this instance, as
in all others, the STATESMAN has
followed its ever consistent
course that of being always ar