The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-07-27
THE STATE CONvENTION-ITs
ACTS AND ITS LESSONS.


men, excepting, probably, the tax
convention of 1871, that ever delib-
Grated in this state upon either pub
lie measures or public men, and the
impress of q genius pervading it
must be felt for years in the policies
aud in the development of Texas.
1t is a notable fact that this conven-
ton really had life breathed into 1t
from the masses, and its voice was
that of the people. Delegates as
sembled at Galveston with convic-
tions as to public policies of most
harmonious nature, and while their
preferences for men took wide range,
there was in all these a most graceful
surrender to the will of maiorities.
In no instance was there bad feeling
or incorporating opposition dis
played to that power which Democ-
racy has always taught should heal
all differences. The fact that the
convention was purely Democratic
body, obeying the will of the masses
and drawing inspiration from ma
jorities, may account tor the har-
mony that prevailed ; and this should
teach Democrats that the secret of
wisdom and of power is in close
adhesion to the doctrines and pur-
poses of great and indestructible
party. One singular instance may
suffice to demonstrate the force of
what is here said. In the Dallas
primaries, persons of several shades
of political sentiment took part.
and the result was that two
separate delegations presented them
selves at Galveston, from Dallas
county, both ready, until the power
full but just will of the convention
exercised itself, to engage in conflict
and to sow dissention. Had this
county convention not been compos-
ed of the materials named, had it
been composed, as the party law
dictates, of true material, not single
factor of proposed dissentiOn would
have appeared in the state conven-
tion. AS it was, however, its pres
enee was barely discoverable, for the
moral power of an undivided body
awed these opponents into submits
sion. The state convention was the
symbol of a force within the state,
backed by an intelligence that must
lay PROSTATE. like the hurricane,
everything standing before it.
Even the small growth by
the margin is to be twisted and torn,
and be reft of its branches, it must
perish and die and disappear. The
Democracy of Texas is now what it
has not been since 187S-thoroughly
united, indivIsible-one in sentiment
aud unit in purposes. AS it was
preordalned that John Ireland
should be nominated and made gov
ernor, so it is fixed that the prin-
ciples of Democracy, as enunciated
at Galveston, must lay hold of the
public sentiment of Texas, and
sweeping all other sentiment from
before it, Democracy becomes the
perpetual inheritance of Texans. As
goes Democracy in Texas, in this
year of our Lord, so it will go in the
federal contest two years hence. The
meeting at Galveston, the inter-
change ofsentiment, the declaration
of principles there made, the spirit
of acquiescence in preferment be-
tween candidates for nomination,
the hearty resolution of every dele
gate to accept the nominees, all be-
ing reflection Unpopular sentiment.
tells us that Democracy is more
powerful than it has been. Here is
the harbinger of safety to Texans,
and when thieves break in and steal
the good name of their state they
are ever ready, at the call of the
grand old organization, to rally
to her protection. So it is
now. We are told that fed
eral power, in the furtherance of
Capitalization is organizing, a move
ment upon our state government,
one to make Texas a creature of
personal power dispensed at WASH
ington, of a federal will that would
suppress the legitimate powers of
states, and subordinate them to a
power inherently base and practi-
cally depraved. The declaration of
principles, made by the convention,
covers all the great living issues of
the day, state and federal, and
they revivify the doctrines that
have made and which have sus-
tanned these governments. The
platform meets issues squsrely and
bravely, and no uncertain notes are
sounded in the slogans that will
call in November the sturdy men of
Texas to the polls to vote for John
Ireland and all this long line of good
men, who have been selected to ad-
minister the affairs of government
and to protect the rights of citizens
and things. Give a people a pure
and an able Judiciary, and that
people must surely be wisely gov
erned. The Democrats of Texas
have named men to compose our
supreme courts, who, when they
do compose them, will add luster
to justice in Texas as bright as at
tends ii in any country on this or
the other side of the Atlantic. The
state ticket Is an admirable one
AT its head moves that Usage OF
Seguin," whose record, for s.quarter
of a century, has been devoted to
the best interests OF Texas
and defense of its institu.
lions against the plunderer, the hero
of a series of battles against modern
vandals, the sturdy, unrelenting op.
ponent of trickery, and the favorite
of all but trading politicians and
wire workers. John Ireland and
the entire state ticket will be elected
in the face of organized opposition