The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-02-09
TO WOUND ACHILLES IN THE HEEL.

The San Antonio Express is disposed TO
be sewers upon and darts its javelin at
M9ssrs Iiouston and Anderson, representa- G
that district, because in the recent Unihd
States senatorial election in the legislature
they voted for Hon. j. W. Tbrockmorton
instead OF Hon. 5. b. Msxey. We had
always understood that the opinions Of both
these gentlemen on the subject in question,
were fully and completely known by their
constituents and tho people of their section
prior to their canvass during the same and
subsequent 10 it. So far rs Senator Houston
is concerned, we assumed there could have
been no possible misconception or doubt on
the point, as he is always out-spoken and
frank with his views, and it was matter OF
general notoriety that his personal feelings
and political oclivities were uneQuivocally
in the direction of Throckmortons election.
An intimate friend Of the ex-governor, from
bis boyhood, sincere admirer because of
that officials devotion TO the whole state and
to the interests Of western Texas in
particular, the friendship was born
Of harmony Of nature, and the
devotion was an outgrowlh from the
same parent stock IF local patriotism. Not
during Lie canvt- ever two years ago, when
indeed lhe ubiect v's not Of issue; ret in
the moro recent campa..,l of last fall; not
curing this session. Na3 IN intimation or
indication brought bone 10 the senator that
he should swerve from the position he was
so universally known to hold TO; not an in.
structiou under any color or form whatever,
not request from even precinct or ward
meeting was preferred but he was left alone
to freely do what il has al
ways been known, and universally
known he would do, viz /: vote for the man
whom his best judgment rs individual and
representative told him WIS the most
suitable person for the responsible office OF
United States senator. For this he is not 10
be censured but commended in II he evil
denced his loyalty to principles honestly
conceived, hi' fidelity to friendship long in
lis standing, bis stability in purposes freely
expressed, and regard for his constituents in
the supper. of one pledged to duly care for
them. If this be insincerity or inef
fcieney or in any manner wrongful
then public Office is an ambiguous torture tC
be avoided, and public msn sinks into /
mere mechanical puppot in the hands Of 8
multitude that demagogue would look on
as feast 1t ought never to be forgotten
says Edmund Burke in his speech TO the
electors, "that your representative ought tC
be largely influenced by your wishes, and
should conform 10 them whenever practicable
and proper, but that he should be wholly
governed aud tied up by every
within, is an sbsurdity. La position
where he Is best posted as to tn,
wants of his people and the real surround
ings, be should b. left FREQ to exercise hi
soundest discretion" And this is the tru
rule. 1t is the one that the senator from Sal
Antonio, conscientously and in accordau c
with reason and precedent, observed. w
may here say, because 1t has fallen under on
own personal observation at this legislativ
session, that more efficient, vlgiant an
painstakiug, prompt and influential member
we apprehend tho thirtieth district coul,
scarcely have found within its slmost limit
less area, ard, in view of his larger useful
ness the feeble crit ism of tho Express fall
altogether harmless at his feet with not ever
scratch on Achilles heel to appcase the
wrath of the favored son ofour North Texas
Paris or cur Hectoring contemporary.