The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

safe TO assert that there Is no one who
could have di-charg that high trust In
the past with more zeal, fidelity and pa
triotism than he whose term OF service
will soon expire. or the Interests OF the
coast, the frontier, and the laboring
masses who bear the burthens of state, he
has been alike mindful. He is no new
man. For thirty years he has been ldenti-
fed with Texas. She has more than once
honored him and In return he has served
her well.
But to zeal and patriotism he adds the
virtue of lightly understanding and bold
ly proelaiming the limita ions OF the writ
ten constitution. A Jefersonian Demo
crat Of the strictest type he has always
opposed the tendency TO Capitalization OF
power rs u thing pernicious in politics.
as ratIonalism is in religion. But II |
were called on TO mention the one thing
which, above all others, entities him 10
confidence, 1 would mention his opposi-
tlOn to a protective tariff, which. In its
operation, pours the earnings OF the toll
ting millions OF this land into the pockets
of those who own its FORCES and looms.
In congress and on our broad prairies his
voice has been heard denouncing this
great wrong. He saw with prophetic ken
THAI even from the ashes of her humilia-
tion and defeat the south would yet strike
hands with her brethren of the great
this government OF the PEOPLE for the
benefit of the whole peoT and not for
the pampered industries wned by the
few.
Sic, I nominate Richard Coke as the
proper man 10 succeed himself
Mr.. Pope, in seconding the nomina-
ton, said. / rise to second the nomi-
nation of the Hon. Richard Coke, not
because / feel that any word that l
might speak could strengthen his
cause with the honorable senators
whoa re to vote for him; nor could
speak one word that would endear his
name more to the people of Texas.
He has, by an admirable and Jealous
devotion to principle and a sturdy
patriotism that has challenged
the admiration of his constitu-
ents, placed his name upon
the brightest pages of the history of
Texas.
The honorable senator from Travis
truly spoke when he said that he was
Democrat of the Jeffersonian school;
and if there is one thing that has
shown him TO be a true, tried and
trusted public servant, his course in
the United States senate for the past
six years is sufficient evidence of the
fact. But there is another incident in
the history of Richard Coke that the
people of this great state will never
forget. In those troublesome times
when no man could dream that it
would have been suffered it
was Richard Coke who by his
wise counsel and by his dar-
ing patriotism, wrenched the ad-
ministration of the government of
Texas from the hands of one who,
where there was one virtue connected
with his Office, there were ten thou
sand crimes to offset it. In 1875, after
the will of the people of Texas had
spoken in no uncertain tones, and the
court which has gone down to history
and is now known as the Semi-cOlon
court made an attempt to defeat it by
an effort to secure military with their
glistening bayonets to defy the will
of the people, Richard Coke stood
firm, while others spoke in bated
whispers; he defied them, and said he
had been elected, and by the gods he
intended to serve the people as gov
ernor. That bravery and determine
ton that made him governor, saved
our state, and has made his name i'm
mortal in Texas history. L most
heartily join in seconding the nomi-
nation, and trust that this senate will,
as one man, vote for him to be his
own successor.
The senate cast its unanimous vote
for Richard Coke.
On motion of Mr.. Houston, the SEN
ate adjourned to Wednesday, 10
o'clock a. m.