The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-25
FRIDAY, AUGUST rs. 1882.
GOV, DAVIS ANNOUNCES HIS POSITION

The following TellldIkS hiaoe W WV 80 -
Davis before the republican state convention,
upon calling it together, define his position as
we'll as the position of the republican party OF
Texas:
81 want to say few words in addition TO
what | have read. Many gentlemen, now
members in this convention, will recolect that
in the convention which met here two years
ago, for the purpose of selecting delegates to
the national convention, l took substantially
the ground have taken in this call, as re-
CARDS independent action. l recommended
then that the republicans in convention as
sembled in Texas should not send delegates
to the national convention. | did that then.
and do it now, alter very mature dellbera-
tion. and after thoughtful, just, careful and
accurate observation OF the course OF polltlcs
here. The curious spectacle is presented al
this day in all the southern states where there
is any chance of defeating the bourbon dem
ocracy-the secession democracy-by the in
dependent movement, Of the bourbon leaders
and their newspapers, calling upon the repub,
lcans to stand firm to their colors. Applause
We find the democratic press all over the STATE
of Texas-these secession buldozerS, VINO
when republicans have been willing to 60 and
vote as a party, have taken care IN
ored though they might be, that
they should not vnte-crying aloud, "Raise
up that glorious old republican banner; keep
it aloft;" and they are exceedingly indignant
that any proposition should be made such as
have suggested in my call for this coLven-
ton. | am denounced by these faithful friends
of liberty and of the republican party in this
state for that suggestion. The secession
leaders who tried to destroy the republican
party in this state are terribly put out about
that any man should be found with my record
and character, attempting to destroy that glo.
rious old party. What huge Joke that is .
No better proof can be furnished OF what your
duty should be under the circumstances to-
day. As far as sacrificing principle is con-
Cerned, take it that the fundamental prlncl-
plies of the republican party are simply these:
Equal rights for everybody in this coun-
try. 1t is not proposed to abandon this
right IN the plan | have suggested. The
equal education of the whole people.
Do YOU propose to abandon that by this
movement. The protection of the right of a
free ballot and fair cyunt-a right every
freeman should possess as a sword OF safety.
1t is not proposed to abandon this. The es-
adjustment of law and order and the suppress
sion Of lawlessness. 1t is not proposed in my
suggestions to forsake that policy. With the
enunciation of these principles have covered
all the substantial aims for which the republl.
can party has fought for the last twenty odd
years Beyond those principles questions OF
the financial management OF the government
are of merely government detail. We lind
throughout the country from Maine to Texa:
and California, republicans, differing on al
40 m thaSe at nrin.
ciples. We find from Maine to Texas and tc
California democrats opposing on all othe
questions, but we always find them ungra
ciously yielding to these principles, coming
forward pretending that they originally ia
yored them; and thus they try to steal repub
Ican thunder. These have been the distinc
party characteristics since the day the demo
cratic party attempted the greatest of al
crimes-that of the destruction of our Union
Matters relating to the financial management
by the government of the United States cal
have no bearing on our state matters, and we
as republicans, do not propose to coerce tn
national government. A though our dem
ocratic friends through their state govern
ments attempt a great deal IN dlctauon
the national government, l think that stat
governments had better confne themSelve
to their proper limits and let the ma
tonal government take care Of itself
Although slavery has been destroyed for nea
Iy quarter of century, and although ger
Grafton of young men are in being who ha'
no personal recollection of the war, or tn
causes of it, yet we have north and sout
and a northern and southern party. | want
suggest to your minds the reflection, is NJ
this condition Of affairs precisely what tn
leaders want: Their policy is to let the r.
publicans, if they can, keep solid north
enable themselves to keep solid south do"
here. If they can get couple of northel
states and so govern the country, so much til
better but with them half loaf is better ths
no bread. Applause ''If We" they sa
can keep open the breach in the section
widened by the war; if We can keep alive II
issues of the war, we know that we can alwa
whip our soldiers into line. As long as par
lines are unanswered by war tactics, so lor
can we persuade those who fought with us
still adhere to our leadership and keep US
the front"
"Gentemen Of the convention, you are 10
ers OF the Union; you want to see republic
government established in the hearts OF a m
,rity of the People-of the south as well
the north. That is your purpose; and that,
take it, is the purpose Of the great mass OF
people OF Texas. You are not after otlt
every one of you cannot have an othce '