The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-12-22
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aa candidate for gubcfnalorlal lionors
nganst tie rcxas Democracy, and some Of
our State papers aro already beginning 10
give considerable prominence TO the mat
ter ID is rather carly perhaps to ontcr into
any speoulatlons ~ TO the results or prob
able status Of such proposed combination sr
the questions that will IN all likelihood en-
ter into the canvass II there be one as indl-
Gated, but some very obvious reflections
arise Mt this time that are better said now
than later. II seems at first glance indeed,
as II IL were political absurdity to mag
Inc for moment that there were
any chances of success for q candidate or
party In this State avowedly in opposition
to the regular Democracy, but upon little
closer investigation 1t 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 gcneralship and money
than the masses and in an independent CO.
alition movement IN our State both of these
valuable adjuncts and oesiderata could he
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
Dcmocraticparty.. Malone represented dis
tinct and vital issue, movement involving
a great political principle, and smarting
IL, a. rJn o,,I IF tba vva ~
the people of Virginia hailed his proposed
readjustment Of the States Indebtedness as
an avenno of escape from grievous obliga-
tons, and he was carried to power and a
national name. In Tennessee like condi-
tions existed, and when respectable
minority in the gubernatorial convention
at Nashville, in the summer Of 1880, de-
termined compromise with the debt
paying, high-tax wing of the Dem
ocratic party their request was unheedcd
and they were ridden over rough-shod, to
use common expression, and left the CON
vention, boilers. The result was that Ten
nessee, with amaiority of 10000 Democratic
votes, elected a Republican Governor and
House of Representatives The debt ques-
ton is not troubling Texas and no yexed
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
udices take their place and often produce
even bitterer differences and schisms 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 precipice,
and wounds were then given and received
that rankle still to a great extent, and
might in some or many instances be opened
afresh with deadly result to some. Majori-
ties become too often arrogant, and power
too often feels secure in tancled
Importance it does not possess. We
urged through these columns a little
more than year ago courtesy
and respectful attention on the part Of the
majority to the wishes and suggestions of a
minority, composed of those among the
most intelligent and patriotic in Texas, but
without avail, and the foundation was laid
then for serious rupture at some future
time in the Democratic ranks. We trust
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 aud
material development do not exist we'll to
gether, and we of Texas are far more inter
ested in the latter than the former. As
Texas is Democratic, the unhampercd adj
ministration of that party can alone give rs
what we expect from the future, and we
therefore regret to see an organized opposi-
ton composed of Greenbackers, Republi-
cans, dissaflected 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
ofpublic affairs here, no one can doubt, un-
less an extremely cautious and wise policy
is pursued by the regular Democratic organi-
cation within our borders. We do not now
.are to discu.s Mr.. Jones, chances for suc.
,ess or his ability or fitness TO lead the move.
mont we sinpiv any 70 democracy be Oh
,umspect and progressive and tolerant as
.autious in fact in every action as n face
. face with strong and boneful enemv
We nuhl;sh ,b;. ,norn;roa ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
pNo', ','''
rom an old, tried ana IN
elligent Democrat, who seems to
viii To his marty and me NAV he strictly
orrcct, but this movement we speak of is
becoming so widespread through the