Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-07-30

where you are going 10 land" ms
was hardly needed to
the loyalty OF the governor
to the party. His faith Is Of that type
and shade commonly known as the
red-headed Democracy, and perhaps
OF all his compeers he stands unrival-
ed save II be by that eminent North
Texas patriot Gov. Bill Sterett. His
remarks must be accepted then as
blazing out n course of action for the
youth Of Austin who were just sprout-
ing Democratic wings. On this by
pothesis there is striking and un-
fortunate lack OF consistency In the
governors speech, ms hardly had the
practice OF scratching been denounced,
ere he went OH to say: "a
man had asked him If he would vote
for Ben Butler as the presidential
nominee. The reason he asked IL WAS
because he knew that II there was n
man on earth despised it was Ben
Butler. replied, i will answer that
when he IL the nominee" The in
ference Is that he IL undecided nowssto
whether he would or would not scratch
Ben Butler as a presidential candidate,
even though he should receive the in
dorsement OF Democratic national
convention, and instead of denuncia-
ton of the scratchers who are now
causing the Republican organization
to grow 80 sick at heart, Gov. Lub-
book has only words of praise and
commentator.
In the present condition Of politics
this question of scratching has grown
to be a very grave matter. The
scratcher Is virtually the political boss
of the nation. In his hands he holds
presidencies and positions of every
sort. The ascendency OF any
party is by virtue of his
assent, and Its power Is
bounded by his patience. Ia he an
illegitimate creature of dissatisfied
ambition, or is he the result of the su-
premacy of personal honesty over
political dishonesty sent to he the
Nemesis of the party knavery: That
is the question to which Gov. Lubbock
IL seems would affirm the first PROPOSE
ton, but there is n very large element
who differ with him even here in
Texas. Parties after all are but the
embodiment of principles, which are
continually changing rs new issues
are presented. The Democracy Of to-
morrow may be the sequel of the Re-
publicanism Of to-day, and vice versa.
| The only merit therefore that attaches
to continual adherence TO any party Is
the ability to adapt oneself to what
ever demands and drafts upon princl-
pie that may be made by il. To regard
II Ms IA certificate of consistency is ALI
surd, as IL may involve the very oppo-
site course of action. On this point the
issue is then simply whether one shall
be consistent simply in name or In
fact, 1t is submitted, however, that In
the results of his course the scratchei
is the greatest benefacter of parties
Without him ~ check and balance
wheel accession to power would IN
evitably be the signal for such gros,
excesses Us would invite the sudden
condemnation of the people without
warning or the hope of resurrection.
Ii may be questioned, too, whether a
party obligation rises higher than a
moral obligation, and If it be not the
duty of u citizen TO condemn suspicious
candidates and doubtful practices no
matter what label they may bear.
Under existing circumstances none
but the narrow minded Phariseeor the
cantipg hypocrite revile those Repub
leans In New York, Massachusetts
and Connecticut who, taking con
} science as u higher guide than Re-
publican convention, have forsworn
allegiance to Blaine and Logan
and will assist in electing
Grover Cleveland TO the presidency
AS IA matter of right, there is no differ.
encc between tweedle-dum and twee.
} dle-dee, and II u Democratic nominee
was the victim the principle would re-
main unchanged. The conclusion Il
that the numerous votes of Gov. Lub
book for Democracy are to be cons,d
cred only as the persons for whom
} they were cast were fitted for the 20
sitions. Young Democrats need moi
trouble Themselves to procure a pad
lock for their conscience, and when
the occasion demands it they will
prove traitors to themselves and Ia
theircountry II they do not scratch
} No matter where they land they will
never get outside the borders of self
respect and the esteem of all right.
thinkiSg people, and to secure the ap
} prevail of these none should hesitate Il
abandon a party label.
Mrs. w. X. NASDkRniLrs last bonnet cos