The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
Ross in the Campaign.

came in from all parts of the state
showing as nearly decision ex-
preston for him as ever was made
for any one man in the history OF de-
mocracy in Texas. The demand for
the use of his naEe was universal.
There was that about it also which
indicates an unusual interest. The
desire for his candidacy was an earn
est, deep sentiment, born alike of con-
lidence in his splendid ability, known
Integrity, purity of life, patriotism
and enthusiastic love for Texas,
as well as from the fact that John
Ireland had not flied the bill, and
had then as now given no evidence
of the existaLce of purpose or an
ability to rise to the popular demand.
General Ross evidently considers him
self bound by the implied pledges
which the people say have been made,
not &c run for the position of COVER
nor this fall. But we are quite GER
ia n if nominate IN is rendered him.
he will not refuse to stand. There is
fixed and unalterable determination
on the part of the anti-Ireland
men in the state, to place some
man in opposition at Houston, and
by far is General Ross the favorite
of these men over any that it
is possible now to name. They will
place him in nomination anyhow, and
it will require vast amount of nerve
to withdraw him after his name is
once spoken in open convention. If
it were so withdrawn, arbitrarily and
over the protests of the friends who
go there to urge him, he would create
needlessly. a host of enemies strong
enough in all conscience to exert a
a powerful influence upon all of his
political future. Nor do we believe
he will do this. We think he will SUI
fer the people to test the matter of
the strength of the affection of the
people for him, in their own way, and
with their own means.
Outside, and independent of any
consideration for the good of the
state, and that is by no means incon-
siderable, there is the good of democ-
racy to be taken into account. One
thing is very certain, the ruthless
] pressing of the ill-founded claims of
Ireland is creating schlsm in the
ranks of the party, which in the face
of gradually strengthening opposi-
ton surely pressages trouble, and at
no distant day. The democracy dare
not tie itself in this way to one man
even if he were John Ireland's super
LOT by very many degrees of excel
lence. Strong objections have been
urged against his denomination,
strong men have filed them, and in
earnest. These have never been
denied, answered or explained simply
because none of these things can be
done. He stands convicted of the
charges, and yet he not only escapes
the punishment due, but actually re-
ceives the reward which is usually
given to those who serve the party
and the state well, and who have no
judgments or indictments hanging
over them, for which the party may
blush at an opportune moment, for the
cause, Gen. Ross is not only very
popular man with all classes of PEG.
pie, and with people of all shades OF
political belief, but he is really a
strong man, a man of fine brain pow.
er and of ripe culture. He is a states.
man of splendid ability, and the party
and the people demand the use OF
these qualities in this juncture
First to restore what has been lost
to the political force of the state by
the weakness and mismanagemento OF
the governor, and second, to replace
the finances which have been suffered
to care for themselves, or rather as a
few interested officials wished to have
it done. To his admirable balance and
self-poise Gen. Ross adds the very
soundest ideas on the subject of the
public economy. He would be known
as cool, cautious and clear-headed
governor, conservative and correct in
every way. God knows that
if ever there existed juno
ture in the states history when
such qualities were demanded
| in the governing influences. the pres
ent is the time.
We stand in the presence of q
depleted treasury, of deficiency
which should not have been, and in
the very presence of a threatened
party disintegration which will prove
entirely destructive to democratic OF
ganization if the insane policy o.
examining John Ireland down tn,
Threats of the people further, is per
sisted in. We tell the Houston con
vention plainly that this is no threat
no dream of diStempered imagina
ton. 1t is the calm, cool deduction Of
reason born of somewhat extended
acquaintance with the democratic
sentiment of Texas, with it
leading and most forcetul illustrator
and exemplars. These are all alarmed
They have tested the feeling broadly
in the state, and are dumbfounded a
the evidence of the strength of thu
present revolt against the machine
order which has run democracy VI
to the very threshold of defeat. Tit
blindness of the leadership is incredi
BILE. Gen. Ross injected into the cam
paign after Houston would
soon restore order, as he would
confidence in the entire worthiness Of
democracy to further perform thu
governing functions.
mbz f,ox,c.,aoo,arol To~-orkion