The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
Notwithstanding

There having been something said
in the papers of the district about Col
Breckenridge in connection with the
race for congress, a representative of
the STATESMAN sought the distin-
guished gentleman and solicited his
views on the subject. We are more
than delighted to give the much-in-
little reply of the colonel, which wss
substantially in these words, and they
do infinite credit both to his head and
heart: John Hancock cannot be im-
proved upon, he is honest, he is faith
full, he is statesman, he has nation
ii reputation, he is acquainted with
the duties of the position, and would
not see him exchanged for any other
man within the whole wide range OF
my acquaintance, unless, indeed, he
were called upon to go up higher
Here is the testimony of onedemocrat
as to the supreme fitness of another
to hold an exalted place in the public
service. The value of this testimony
is found in the fact that Col. Bracken-
ridge has known John Hancock for a
lifetime, almost; known him as neigh
Dor, man, friend and as q public ser
want through times which tried mems
souls, and they were on opposite
sides during the <war-and besides,
Breckenridge is Just the man to rem
der frank and honest opinion no
matter who rs interested. This is
certainly high testimony, and
it settles definitely and COM
pletelY the question as to
his candidacy for Hancock'S place
unless Hancock should be placed upon
the national tickeU-not very unrea-
sonable contingency, either, although,
since the failure of congress to act
with manliness on the tariff question,
we would see it with regret, as we
don't want to see Hancock slaugh-
tered. UnlessE Chicago gives US a
ringing tariff reform platform, there
Is no more hope for the democratic
ticket than there is that selfishness
will be banished from our national
politics. Hancock is man in all
the truer and better attributes of man
hood. Ruggedly and uncompromis-
ingly honest, he scorns the tricks and
craft of the politician. lie is not a
politician in any sense of the word.
Indeed, he is quite the reverse. From
the mere politicians standpoint John
Hancock has done and said more in
discreet things than any other man in
Texas. He would scorn to hold any
position on earth, if, to do so, he were
required to conceal or distort his real
sentiments, and yet the people of this
district have never tired heaping hon
ols upon his head, and they never
Will. They know the value of the
man. and they can never cease finding
use for him.
Truly is this testimonial of Col.
Breckenridge Characteristic of the
man, of both men, in fact. Both
are men of towering intellect,
both are sincere patriots, and
both are devoted and true
democrats. They have gone through
life almost hand in hand, as neigh
bors, as friends and as citizens loving
the same government, enjoying the
protection of the same laws, and
growing and,prospering equally upon
the same chances. We do not know
what Judge Hancock's ideas on the
subject of reelection are. We have
never heard the least sound from him,
nor has Col. Breckenridge. But he, as
well as we, recognize the great neces-
sity existing for Hancock's remaining
another term. We need such men
as he in congress until this
matter Of tariff reform has been
accomplished. or until he hope of it
has fled forever. 1t Is oaly these
royal, uncompTomising nitn of the
Hancock stamp v ho are fit 10 be en-
trusted with the ii stiniss OF the state
in emergencies such as the one now
upon the country, when it is to be de-
termined if we have to work on to the
end of time, the blinds d, alb willing
slaves of the monopolists of the cast |
the arrogant. proud, aud selfish |
pets of the goverHm ut |
Of the many, by the lew. Texas
has an immense stake in the
ultimate proper settlement Of this
grave question. twenty-five years
from to-day her productions which !
are affected by the tariff i