The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-20
Reading Out.

rear somebody Will Ieau the OlQ al
calde out of the democratic party be-
cause he has declared against the two
thirds rule. This excessive nervous
ness on the part of the Fort Worth
Roscius indicates an uneasiness of
mind regarding its own position
which is most hopeful of early and
entire reform. 1t is the condition of
conviction so necessary to the subse-
quent repentance and final conversion
of the sinner. All good preachers and
teachers rejoice to find the wicked in
such frame of mind. Let us hope,
sincerely, that the Gazette will not
prove the exception to the rule, even
if it does go against the two-thirds
rule. The old alcalde, be his faults
what they may, is very old man.
He has been iilustrious in the
history of this state for nearly four
decades of her most eventful history.
He has been satiated, it is said, with
political honors of one kind and an
other, and he can now well afford to
play at fast and loose with demo-
cratic principles and usages if it
affords him amusement to do so.
Time has side-tracked the old alcalde.
He is out of the wbirl- except that
bolt of lightning might knock him
into it again-and bis rulings on the
two-thirds principle in nominating
conventions, don't go. But the Ga
zette is an active and useful factor in
the sum of democratic influences in
Texas, and it is well worth while for
it to stop and consider if by driving
home this entering wedge of disinte-
grafton it is acting wisely and well, or
not, or if it is just exactly honest
in pandering to what it mistakenly
considers stong movein the direction
of abrogation. Perhaps every public
man and influence in the state in favor
of the abrogation of the two-thirds
rule has already spoken, but the great
silent mass from which the Gazette
has not yet heard is after all the
power before which disintegrators,
both great and small, always stand
silent and abashed when the tug of
war comes in the convention. No, no.
We would read neither the old al
calde nor the Gazette out of the party
Political accommodation is not our
tort. We would exhaust reasonable
expostulation before proceeding to
such extreme. 1t doesn't matter so
far as the old alcalde is concerned, as
we said before, but with the Gazette
it will find that it does matter. What
ever you may say about north Texas
in other respects, it is yet firmly, con-
sistently and truly democratic. Itnot
only loves the principles of democ-
racy, but it is proud of the history and
traditions as well as the modes and
usages of the party of the people. In
taking retrospective glance at the
glories of the past, the democracy of
north Texas see this great and benign
rule coming as an angel of light to
smooth the wrinkles from the brow of
promised party unrest, so often and so
effectively that they will not very
keenly relish the attitude assum-
ed by the leader and guide
of which they are so very generally
and so very justly proud.
1t is long time yet until the con-
vention sits, and there is plenty of
time for complete discussion of the
question. If only this is had, there
need be no fear. 1t has been our OBJ
seryation that it is hard to lead the
democracy of Texas off into political
heresy, no matter how determined and
guileful the effort, if plenty of time is
allowed for discussion and reflection.
This thing has been tried times with
out number, and with but one unvary-
ing, monotonous result-defeat. 1t is
hardly likely, with such history be-
hindit, that the present effort will ever
secure Judgement upon the floor of
the convention. But if it does its in
discreet and enthusiastic projectors
and supporters will find that they
have unclaimed lion which will so
rend and tear them that they will find
even reading out a species of relief
from the just indignation of a party
which cannot be dismayed by the
foe nor be ruined by the betrayal of
friends. We ought not to read the
Gazette or Tho old alcalde out, but we
ought to bend every effort to effect
the early and complete conversion of
the former from an error which is
likely to injure its own standing in
the party far more than the party it's
elf.
1t is great pity that the Gazette
has gone into this heresy. We so need
a strong watchful and devoted champ
ion in that section of the state, one
furnishing as strong a contrast to the
looseness of the political morals of the
Herald as possible. that this detection
of the Gazette becomes inexpressibly
painful. 1t is bad circumstance for
the party, but the wasted opportunity
it represents, so far as it is concerned
itself, is distressing beyond measure.
The people will not follow the Herald.
they desired to see the Gazette grow
into>a safe and competent guide, and
now they ale at sea without rudder
or compass. The Gazette should tack
short round, and with as little delay
as may be.
Texas congressman.