The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-09-23
THESE PATRIOTIC INDEPENDENTS.

1t is not principle, but desire for
Office, that gives raise to almost every
newfangled political ism in this
country. But one single political
party belongs TO permanent history,
and but one of all is based upon
theories necessary to the existence
of our proposed forms of govern
ment. The Democratic party is a
necessary feature in society for the
preservation Unconstitutional rights,
and its existence. whether in or out
of power, has alone insured the peO-
pie against the encroachments of
revolutionary systems. inaugurated
by ambitious and corrupt men, who
would create personal and despOtic
government. Texas has always
been a Democratic state, and the era
in its political history. when Radi-
calism held sway here, is moth
ing more than chapter in
proof of the wrongs and expressions
enforced against the people OF the
South. Excepting the dark records
of this period, while thieves were in
Office by the acts of rogues, and
while shysters watched over the
legal rights of a people and prostitu-
ted the bench bto ignorance and
knavery and criminality. the politi-
cal history of Texas has been partic-
ularly bright, and had it not heen
for this dark age in its history the
material prosperity of the state
would have been advanced in 1880
where it will be in 1890. But these
things are of the past, and do not
properly belong to the people of
Texas, who are now managing their
own affairs TO the satisfaction of all
but few social disturbers, whose
chief distinction has been desire for
Office. In 1879. Providence failed to
smile on Texas. After period of
twenty years of productiveness, rich
soils, parched by an unprecedented
dEouth, failed to make return to ag-
riculturists for the labor of months,
and food for man and beast was de-
rived from the great granaries of
the Northwest. In spite OF all this
revival in commercial and bust
ness interests began, and millions of
capital were turned towards the
Lone Star State to assist in develop
ing its natural grandeur and re-
sources. In 1880 the Texas agricul-
turalist has planted and cultivated
his fields, and he now reaps unpre-
cedented crops, and plenty and
prosperity prevail, and the tide of
immigration again turns towards
these fruitful fields. and Texas adj
vances rs never before. Five thou-
sand miles Of railway are build
ing and projecting within
its borders, and its crop of
cotton, worth S5O,OOO.OOO, is attract
ing the attention of the commercial
and manufacturing world. Plenty
reigns, people are cOntcntcd and
happy, and the public credit of
Texas is not exceeded by any state
or nation. Yet, in spite of all these
things, we have crOakers in our
midst. who declare that the car Of
progress no longer moves in Texas.
that we are going backward as a
people, that the public financial con-
dition is worse than wretched. and
that we are a bywOrd of scorn and
contempt among all people. Say
the defamers of our good name,
there is a personal cause of this
alleged condition Whenever one
is thus heard decrying the social and
political condition of Texas. il may
be safely put down that he pines for
Office and can not get it, or that he
is not specially under the protecting
care of official wings. The present
state administration represents and
enforces theories highly satisfactory
to the masses, but wretchedly dis
tasteful to men who have learned
TO regard government as an instru-
ment for personal ends. This pub
lie vilification is simply the exercise
of personal spleen, because public
opinion has not accorded to the few
that merit which they feel they so
richly deserve. These men set them
selves up as fit subjects to exercise
the powers of government, and
when the people fail to discover
that merit in them which they alone
ascribe to themselves, they then re-
solve themselves into defamers. and
the intelligent majority and its
agents are presented before the bar
of public opinion as unworthy and
dangerous to all public interest.
Men who thus arraign others are
disappointed politicians. They have
been legislated out of office, or have
been discharged from public duty
because of incOmpetency, or an un-
deserving public has failed to dis
Germ in them that fitness for position
which they arrogate TO themselves.
These men are the independents,
these vain-glorious political pea
cocks, who covet Office because of
its salaries and perquisites, and who
abuse a state administration simply
because they are not public agents
instead of disappointed Office hunt
ers. There are not many of them in
Texas, but they have made them,
selves very noisy, and still they
froth at the mouth and look to the
future in vain hope that they may
hoodwink the people and then de-
strov public credit and prosperity.
Such men thrive well in office, while
the public suffer and the peoples
trusts are neglected. The present
state administration has been at
tackled by n most active band of
would-be Independents. but they
have not had the moral courage TO
come boldly to the front. Their
resolution has failed them M the lss,