The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-21
Translated from Freie Press March I7'l
BOurbOnisln and Democracy.


Translated from Freie Press March I7.l
Bourbonism and Democracy.
"a BOURBON is Democrat who holds with
frmness to the tenets of the party, thus we
read lately in an Anglo-Iexan cem; EH-
change the definition shows its Poln'edness
but also total ignorance, since 1t shows that
the writer does not know any thing OF the fund-
amental rules of his party But It's greatest
characteristic is, that it has no fundamental
rule Until 1865 treason.and treachery to the
Union were its "shibole,h" then came It's
bitter oppo ition to the amendments to the
constitution again the fight againsts the civil
rights and laws allowing the negro to vote;
when all these things which were indirect or
otherwise the effects from slavery, and all ar
ticles of faith connected Herewith had been
thrown overheard, democracy cropped like
a blind man for new objects upon which to
get a grasping hold it pretended to make love
to the greenbackers, proclaimed, anew state
rights and at last fastened itself upon the ques-
tons of tariff, without really knowing what to
do with it. Hancock in an unguarded mo-
ment dropped the words Tariff for Revenue
purposes only" and by this secured the defeat
of the democracy; now, 10 and behold, one
part of the democracy steps up for absolute
free trade while another part is in favor OF a
reduced tariff, but to an understanding they
have not yet come nor is there any chance
that they will.
To speak under these conditions as they
have existed of time, adhesion to the prin-
ciples of democracy, is folly and shows total
ignorance of the party and its formation,
,enets(s) and cameleon-like changes.
1t is nothing but blind grasping for the
favor and good will of the people at any price,
even at the risk of reputation and want OF
character, opposition against any and every
thing that the opposing party may wish or DO,
a complete lack of forethought and tirmness in
polite ideas are the marks that characterize
he democratic party to-day. Principles are
forgotten, and if we look at their platforms and
read of the old time-honored fundamental
ideas and their maintenance, we know that 1t
is all meaningless words and phrases, which II
is believed still have force with the Ignorant
people.
No, maxims do not characterize the bour-
bon, but certain, decided, infiexible hold on
the buried past-an obstinate struggle against
the acquisitions of modern times-a resist
ance against all progress and the natural de-
velopment of people and state. The masses
of the people do not worship at this shrine,
but the service Of its leaders and blind faith
IN q gOluCh IutuIC vi uCukoSIoSJ, thShA
to remain true to the party.
The real bourbons are those democrats who
make the politics of the party and who have
all the wire pulling machinery in their hands.
The real representative of bourbonism in Tex
as is the "old alcalde," Governor 0. M. Rob.
ertS.
Now let us dissect this genus homo and see
what he is made Of Has he ever held to the
maxims that were laid down in the platform of
the party? No; he has always done just the
opposite of what they ought to have aimed at.
His stubborn resistance was at first aimed
against the free schools, but when he got
knowledge of the large influx of people he did
not even carry out the platform that demanded
''free school system" but created private
schools and normal schools, which, although
supported by the state, were only for the ia
vored few.
AS born STAKEHOLDER he only then severed
himself from the idea Of the peculiar institu-
ton" when he saw al hopes vanished for its
reinstitution, then, instead of educating the
negro in gradual manner, he created instltu-
tons Of learning for them which made and
created a great deal of cheap notoriety, but no
real and valuable results. The effect from all
this, was that the masses grew more stupid,
while he created for himself a popularity
among the leaders of the colored element
No man can believe that the man who stood
at the head of the secession convention, and
who sought, by his signature, to immortalize
slavery, can feel any affection for the negro or
his descendants. Cunning calculations are at
the bottom of all his acts. 1.-The cause justi-
fes the means" As ruler of the state to retain
himself as the tone-giver of this democracy at
any price is the aim Of the old alcalde. What
ever opposition shows itself in his course he
attempts to destroy.
No immigration, for it might benefit the OPP
posing party; no state donna n, for ii is bait
TO immigration; triAing away and underselhng
of school lands that the school fund may not
grow too large; high taxation for the common
and working people and freeing all the large
land and real estate owners; accumulation Of
the peoples money in the state treasury to use
for his purposes if necessary, and the creation
of a state military power; these are the expe-
dients with which O. NJ. Roberts seeks to
maintain the democracy.
Bourbonism means the absolute rule Of a
few-democracy the rule Of the whole people.
Alas democracy has fallen away to bour-
| bonism.
GRAysoN COUNTY defeated prohlbi-
ton. Hood county adopted it. The
temperance party in Texas is most GER
tainly growing party, and if it once
takes the definite shape of political
organization will tend to disturb polit.
ical balances.