The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-10

convention, there is to-day no real
or even imaginary division in the
Democratic party in Texas. 1t is
solid as the rock of ages. 1t was a
disaffected element III the Demo-
cratic party. to which hope clung
two years ago among Republicans
and their allies, the Greenbackers,
for balance ofpower against the
regular Democrats. General Ham,
man was put forward, after con-
sultation with Republicans, by the
Greenbackers, and it was hoped that
the disaffected Democrats would
sustain him, Not SO; they remained
inactive, not being willing to step
into the trap. prepared for them by
Mr.. Davis, and this large Democratic
element refused to go to the polls to
express any political preference.
These Democrats were not, accord
ing to the Specification of this mod
ern aspirant for political distinction,
Independents, not acting according
to the dictation of Mr.. Davis. He
who is an Independent to-day, in
Texas, is nothing more, nothing less,
than Mr.. Davis abject slave in a po-
itical sense, and all who covet such
distinction are truly welcome to the
honor attaching thereto. Mr.. Da-
Wis controls, as is supposed seventy
five or eighty thousand voters; at
least that is what liberal count
would give the Republican par
ty in Texas, and all these
opponents of Democracy, who
want a following, bend the
suppliant knee to this man and
crave sustenance of him. There is
no principle at stake with these
people; they are seeking plunder,
nothing else, and the greater the
wealth of the state the more despe-
rate do the adventures become.
They would sell themselves to the
devil for an office; and the devil,
not having one to dispose of, they
turn to Mr.. Davis, not certainly be-
cause the gentleman is removed one
step from the demon, but because he
controls a political element. But so
long as the Democratic party con-
trolls the state government the ballot
is all that will count in deciding
elections. Were the Republicans
in command of returning board,
or some other such Republican ap-
pliance in Texas for deciding an
election, 1t would not take longer
than November next for such ma
chine to show to the world that one
hundred thousand Republicans and
Greenbackers could defeat, with
an Independent state ticket, one
hundred and seventy-five thousand
Democrats. 1t would be simply q
question Of declaration, not of votes
cast, and thus, and thus only, could
Independents win Texas. When Mr..
Davis plays the Independent role
it is time for good men to beware.
He is Republican-Radical to the
backbone, and yet he comes before
the people asking them to vote for
him, not as a politician, but as one
independent of politics. Independ-
entism would not live day in Texas
were it not for the RadIcalism OF
Mr.. Davis. He is the chief of Inde-
pendents; they dare not breathe a
sentiment to which he has not given
his false political endorsement. He
is for congress, because he, by some
hook or crook, hopes to win; and he
is for George Washington Jones for
governor, knowing he cannot win,
but hoping thereby to add
strength to his individual effort.
The Greenbackers keep up
a side show, while the Republicans
are the manipulators. One tainted
with Democracy, like General Rob-
ertson, stands no chance, for the So
called Independents, controlled by
Mr.. Davis, can vote only as he die
tates, and his dictation comes from
Washington. Are not these inde-
pendent people. with a vim? They
are slaves to personalism, disorders
of principle, and the very antago-
nism Of everything and every senti-
ment to which anything of a truly
independent nature might attach.
They owe allegiance to nobody and
to nothing; belonging to Mr.. Davis,
they are servile alone for the chances
that may be gained by adhesion.
Every man of them all is a.Judas,
having his price even for his master.