The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-01
OPINIONS or THE PRESS.

quittal Of Currie, the Texan who muir
dered Porter, the actor, was such an out
rsgeithat it ought to create popular de.
mand for q new law concerning muir
derers who dodge the hangmsn's rope
by pleading insanity. Currie was not
insane in any sense that clears him OF
guilt; and hundreds of other murder
ers who have escaped the gallows in
the same way have deserved hanging.
II men who commit murder after the
manner Of Currie are insane, they are
certainly too dangerous to remain st
large. They should be imprisoned.
Let rs have q law which provides life
imprisonment for murderers who cheat
the gallows by the insanity dodge"
The Post, in discussing the posi-
ton of certain persons concerning the
record of Governor Roberts about free
schools, says: Gas long as Governor
Roberts was supposed to oppose public
schools these so-called liberal Demo-
Gratis sssailed him as being behind the
time, and called him fossil and q
mossback. When the Governor con-
fesses himself plainly to be friend of
public instruction and urges progressive
measures these gentlemen are shock
ed at his turning his cost-they call
him trickster and q renegade. Now
this seems to be following the waywsrd
and petulsnt example of the children
represented by scripture as ''sitting in
the market place and saying to their
fellows, we have wept unto you and
ye have not lsmented; we have piped
unto you and ye have not danced "
These critics are not for the principle
they are simply against the man. Moth
ing can please them coming from him
neither weeping can induce sympathy,
nor laughter betray them into smile. "
Here Is the way the GlO6e-Demo-
erat correspondent at Marshall puts the
case. Regarding the source it should
be taken, however, with some grains of
allowance. he says: 'The excitement
and general indignation over the al
legged cause of Ourrie's acquittsl are
rapidly developing. 1t is claimed by
some of the states counsel that money
was probably used with the jury. Hon.
VIM. Stedmsn, of counsel for prosecu-
ton, informed your correspondent to-
day that one of our principal merchants
would testify that three of the jurors
on Saturday night, shortly after the
verdict was rendered, came into his
store and purchased goods literally,
without as much as asking the price,
and on making payment exhibited large
rolls of So and $40 bills. Maj. John
NJ. Case says one of the jurors took a
shave after the verdict was rendered,
on Saturday night, and rendered the
barber for change $40 bill as the least
contained in large roll of greenbacks
he took from side pocket. He fur
Their says that q notion merchant here
says, and offers to swear, that about an
hour after Currie's acquIttal, one of
the jurors, purchasing some candy and
other notions, offered in payment q
$40 greenback, at the same time exhib-
iting large roll of bills of the same
denomination, and said he hadn't
been here on the jury nearly two
weeks for nothing; that he made all
these $40 bill during that time. From
such reports as the foregoing and other
circumstances, suspicious of bribery
are expressed against the jury"
The New York Herald declares
that the action of the Cincinnati con-
vention has buried sectional Issues,
The nomination of Gen. Hancock, it
says, enables the country to choose
without prejudice, without sectional
alarm, and to choose for itself between
two lines of policy clearly marked out,
very decidedly differing one from the
other, and on which men may reason
ably and sensibly disagree. The Re-
publican party stands for. centraliza-
ton, for larger concentration of pow
er in the hands of the federal govern
ment, for what is called the "daternal
system; )" and considerable part of the
country agrees with them in this view,
which is fairly presented by their can
didste. The Democrats stand for
decentralization, for local self
government, for strict limitation of
the federal power according to the
COh6blbublOh, uho o OOublOCAoOlC phA
of the country agrees with them. Gen.
Hancock's civil record makes him one
of the most. distinguished representa-
tives of this Democratic policy. His
constant Difference to civil law and to
civil officers during his military COM
mand in Louisiana and Texas after the
war shows that he is much more than
mere soldier; that he has clear and
we'll defined views on the most I'M
portant points of national policy, views
which are honorabls to him and which
give him 9 deserved and high rank
among statesmen.
The Springfield Qnd.) Republican,
touching the nomination, says: "Han-
cock, in fitness for the presidential Of
fee, does not rank before the country
with Bsyard, Randall, Seymour and
Thurman-men of proved ability and
political independence, experience in
public Office and known and sound con-
servstive opinions; but in availability
IS Q candidate, where the Illumination
of long public career is often weak
ness, General Winfield Scott Hancock
II stronger than these men of presiden-
tisl stature. That Gen. Hancock's
Democratic instincts 90 early. domi-
neered, his army training will go far
toward removing proper prejudice
againsts military president. His weak
ness, when tried by the test of fitness
and comparison with his competitor,
il that he il without achievement
in public service and repre-
sents no positive grasp upon the future.
He is q novice in craftsmanship against
an expert who, for sixteen years, has
been applying q broad, well-trained
mind In debate, in committee and in
private study to the great constructive
problems of government. Gen. Han
cock 10 Q handsome, courteous gentle
man, universally popular, of unstsined
personal record. The moral effect of
the nomination is excellent in many
ways. It takes the bloody shirt out
Of politics. When rebel brigadiers,
the White League and Ku-Klux fall In
behind this Union soldier it is refresh
ing proof that the parties have stimu-
lated each other up to good work. It
insures Q well-fought campaign and
relieves any but bl,nd partisans of
anxiety a. to the possible result OF q
Democratic victory"