The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-08-26
HON. SETH SHEPARD AND THE CAN
vASS OF 1878.

Hon. Seth Shepard has been in
terviewed upon the subject of his
course towards Judge Hancock in
the congressional canvass Of 1878.
He says he supported Judge Han
cock fairly, and that he gave no aid
or encouragement to Col. Jones in
any manner whatever" He declares
that he wrote many letters during
the canvass to his personal friends
asking of them support of Judge
Hancock, and he invites any person
to whom he then wrote, whether
friend or foe, to make public any eX-
preston of his in opposition to the
Brenham nominee, or which would
have done him any injury. In one
of the letters, which has lately been
returned to him, he said:
L have nothing to reproach myself
with, and seeing my duty clearly, /
propose to follow it. / shall, as an
honorable man, support Hancock,
and the mass of my friends win do
the same thing, for they are found
among the true Democracy of the
state. l have been censured, too,
by some for withdrawing so speed
lily. My withdrawal was in accord
ance with my long formed determi-
nation not to stand in the way of a
majority. Scenes in the state con-
vention only served to strengthen
me in this determination. l write
to thank you sincerely for your kind
support.
Mr.. Shepard asserts that he had
nothing to do with the Flournoy
circulars, issued from Galveston
during the canvass in question, and
that he knew nothing of them until
after they were placed before the
public. He thinks the discovery of
the name of a correspondent of the
Galveston Ne,os, who has lately been
publishing letters in opposition to
him, would show the public they are
unworthy of recognition. Especi-
ally does Mr.. Shepard call attention
to the speeches of himself and his
father in the nominating convention
at Brennan in 1873. He said:
Iappear before you to render here,
in the presence of my friends, all
here assembled, first, my thanks to
the good, honest and true Democrats
of this district who have done me
the high honor to support me. In
doing so let me say to you, thank
you from the bottom of my heart-a
heart, / trust, that never throbbed
for naught save my friends and my
country; and when / recognize that
to-day is day of trial-to-day is a
day when an overwhelming voice of
discomfort and complaint is raised
against those in power, whether in
county or state, and, believing as /
ever have since l have comprehend
ed what are Democratic principles.
that the perpetuity of our institu-
tions, the welfare and happiness of
my state and county depend upon
the success of what we know and
recognize TO be true Democratic
principles, i felt it was no time for
the Democratic party of my state,
county or district TO be divided upon
any question that my action might
remove. thank those here who have
tested their devotion to nv cause.
those who have represented their
constituencies and have obeyed the
viii Of their constituencies andvoted
Tor me-some even against their
own personal and private feelings
to all OF these say, have come be-
fore you, and have tested your for
bearance as long as think ii proper
to do; but while shall ever feel the
warmest gratitude to those who
have been faithful to their constitu-
encies, / win say my own personal
ambition and wishes are notIr;no
when placed in the scale arainsf the
interests of the people Of Texas
You have shewn am not the choice
Of majority Of the delegates here
to represent the people Of the 1iffh
congressional district; and while I
thank you for your support. / with
draw my name from before the con-
vention.
Hon. Chauncy Shepard said:
L arise in the interest of the DEM
ocratic party. May I say word to
you TO calmly think Of the position
you now occupy7 You say Tou win
not vote to make Mr.. Hancoek's
nomination unanimous. Nv tho
usages Of the Democratic party the
two-thirds rule has been invoked hv
you, and under that rule Mr.. Ham