The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-08


Again we would call the attention
Of Democrats Of Travis county To- q
duty they owe to themselves and the
community in which they live, and
where they appeal to law tor the pro-
lection of life, liberty and property.
What is needed to secure these rights,
guaranteed under the constitution, N
an efficient corps of officers, and when
the Democratic party is called upon to
name candidates for position it be-
comes q sacred duty Of every law
abiding Democrat, feeling 3 proper
share OF interest in community gov.
ernmeat, to take part in important de-
liberations, soon TO be imposed upon
them in the primary meetings. We do
know that . decided opposition has
been developed among many towards
taking part in conventions, but If these
very men, who have felt greatest dis.
gust at the doings of conventions, will
consider we'll the cAuses leading to
fatal mistskes, In nine cases out Of tan,
they viii zee that the frauds ptacticed
upon conventions are e much sttEib-
utsble to their own neglect Of duty a.
to the lmpositions of schemers. The
best men, 10 rule, remained at home
or have pursued business duties, while
. few cliques, composed Of aspirapts
to ofice, and their friends and sup.
porters, have run the conventions, and
have named the candidates for whom
Democrats were expected TO vote.
Scratching Of tickets has, therefore,
been legitimate result Of neglect on
the part of the very men whose inter-
ests are mostly ct stake, and who could
not give sanction to plsc-
lug nominees IN Office, thor
oughly unified for position. Yet
there Is no business duty 30
great, no public matter 90 weighty, as
this thing of uaming officers, to whom
every community interest 10 intrusted,
and in which every man is directly In
terested. Just 80 long a. there 10 lack
Of interest, especially in these primary
meetings, just so long will the public
be duped in the schemes of tricksters
and irresponsible seekers after Office.
1t Is not our purpose TO say that Demo-
crsts Of Travis county have not often
placed admirable gentlemen in Office,
who nave done their full duty as pub
lie servants. Such Democrats are In
Office now, and they are an honor to
the community, but sad mistakes have
been made, where improper candidates
have been named, and these have, as 9
general thing, been defeated. II Dem
ocrsts, who have at stake the best in
terests OF Travis county and Of the dis
tricts IN which they vote, and of the
state, will attend the primaries through
out the county, these designing men,
who have often brought defeat upon
the party, will hardly possess the hard
ihood to push themselves 90 prominent.
ly before nominating bodies as in times
past. They are well known, and they
know, too, that they are Just now
being closely watched BY the masses,
and when they once See sturdy
citizens taking active interest IN
these nominating bodies. the pub
lie will be permanently relieved Of
them. Not long sgo it was de-
monstrated that hsrd-fsted farmers
and active business men could be led,
in emergency, to form proper con-
ception OF the importance of Demo.
cratic deliberation, and to take active
part In it, and it is only necessary to
cultivate this sentiment to secure the
most complete revolution in party &C.
ton. When Democrats name proper
men for Office, in Travis county, these
men carry the election by overwhelm-
ing majorities, and when all nominees
are like these, In character and ability,
there will be no more trouble about
Democratic victories for county OFF,
GERS and for the Legislature, end even the
city of Austin may then boast Of being
thoroughly in political accord with the
great Democratic state, of which it 10
the capital.