The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-21
THE THREATENED INDEPENDENT
MOVEMENT

our State papers are already beginning to
give considerable prominence to the mat
ter. 1t is rather early perhaps to enter into
any speculations as to the results or prob
able status of such proposed combination or
the questions that will in all likelihood en-
ter into the canvass if there be one as indl-
Gated, but some very obvious reflections
arise at this time that are better said now
than later. 1t seems at first glance indeed
as lift were a political absurdity to mag
inc for q moment that there were
any chances of success for candidate or
party in this State avowedly in opposition
to the regular Democracy, but upon little
closer investigation it will be discovered
that there might possibly be decided
chances for victorious campaign on the
part of the opposition. Nothing is more
uncertain or vacillatory or more easily
handled by political generalship and money
than the masses and in an independent CO.
alition movement In our State both of these
valuable adjuncts and desiderata could be
easily obtained. We cannot properly de-
nominate Mr. Jones as the Texas Malone
nor his projected coalition as Texas Ma
honeism, but under certain contingencies
it might prove equally as disastrous to the
Democratic party. Mahonerepresented a dis
tinct and vital issue, movement involving
great political principle and smarting
under the burdens and rcverses of the war,
the people of Virginia hailed his proposed
readjustment of the States Indebtedness as
an avenue of escape from grievous obliga.
tons, and he was carried to power and a
national name. In Tennessee like condi-
tons existed, and when respectable
minority in the gubernstorisl convention
at Nashville, in the summer Of 1880, de-
termned compromise with the debt.
paying, high-tax wing of the Dem
ocratic party their request was UNDECIDED
and they were ridden over rough-shod, to
use a common expression, and left the con
vontion bclters. The result was that Ten.
nesSee, with am0jority of 90, 600 Democratic
votes, elected a Republican Governor and
House of Representatives. The debt qucs.
ton is not troubling Texas and no yexcd
issue remains in our State politics now
upon which an Independent or ambitious
man could ride into power. But we all
know that in the absence Of contested
principles and live, material is.
sues personal animosities and pref
udces take their place and often produce
even bttercr differences and schsms than
does any other character of conflict. 1t
will be remembered that the Democratic
party of Texas stood last year for awhile
upon the very brink of a political precpice,
and wounds were then given and received
that rankle still to great extent, and
might in some or many instances he opened
afresh with deadly result to some, MAORI
ties become too often arrogant and power
too often feels secure in lanced
Importance it does not possess. We
urged through these columns little
more than year ago courtesy
and respectful attention on the part of the
majority to the wishes and suggestions of q
minority, composed of those among the
most intelligent and patriotic in Texas, but
without avail and the Foundation was laid
then for a serions rupture at some future
time in the Democratic ranks. We trust
the time has not come for we can conceive
Of nothing at present more directly calcu-
lated to injure our proud and prosperous
State than the repetition of the active
and bitter political campaigns,
we had hoped had ceased
forever. Political agitation and
material development do not exist well to-
gcther, and we of Texas are far more inter
csted in the latter than the former. As
Texas is Democratic, the unhampered adj
ministration OF that party can alone give us
what we expect from the future, and we
therefore regret to see an organized opposi-
ton composed of Greenbackers, Republi-
cans, dis,ahected Democrats and ambitious
political Adventures, backed by Federal
patronage and power and money, marshal
ling its forces to attack and annoy the recog-
nized political sentiment of the State. But
that such will eventually be the outcome
Of public affairs here, no one can doubt, un-
less an extremely cautious and wise policy
ispursued by the regular Democratic organi-
cation within our borders: We do not now
care to discuss Mr.. Jones' chances for sue.
cess or his ability or fitness to lead the move
ment. We simply say to democracy be cir
cumspect and progressive and tolerant. as
cautious, in fact, in every action as II face
to face with strong and hopeful enemy.
Wepublish this morning a communication
from an old, tried and in.
telligent Democrat, who seems to
be entirely free from any apprehension Of
evil to his party, and he may be strictly
correct, but this movement we speak of is
becoming so widespread through the
South, and is favored in such marked de.
gree by the Federal authorities at Washing.
ton, that II is offering an extraordinary pre-
MUM to agitators and disappointed polti-
clans and adventures, and may give not
only Texas but the whole South an infinite
deal Of trouble. We cannot afford any
more politics in the South What we want
Is the attention of the people turned to
the investment Of capital and building up
Of home industries, but If this result is &C.
complishsd II will be by a different course
ON the part Of the tremendous majorities