The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
Governor Ireland.

The following article is taken from
the Houston Journal, paper edited
by scholarly, observant and perfect
ly frank out-spoken gentleman who is
evidently not afraid to express an
honest sentiment even when he knows
that the act will call down upon his
devoted head the wrath of the ring
and the abuse of the thick and thin
organs of his excellency:
There is no use in denying that the
opposition to Governor Ireland is
growing more serious every day. Ifa
man of accepted principles, and Of
fair popularity were to step forth as
the opposition candidate. there is no
doubt of the fact that sharp and
dangerous rally would be made to his
support, The journal does not pre-
tend to say that Governor Ireland
would be oversloughed. 1t does not
know what would be the result;
but certainly the success of the in
cumbent would be endangered, and If
his opponent were man of personal
popularity, the Journal believes that
Ireland would lose the nomination
General Sui. Ross is man of this
character. He would be the most
formidable opponent of Ireland, alb
initio, who could be produced, and if
he could obtain his own consent to
come out frankly, his magnetic and
sterling personal qualities would in
stantly show their influence against
the grim drag of the machine. Why
don't the people shout Ross, Ross so
loud that the modest statesman in
embryo, who reposes, otium cum dig,
under his own vine and fig-tree, would
be forced to hear the acclaim and
would be compelled to recognize the
call! What singular apathy has
settled on our peoplel They don't
like Ireland; they never did. They
regard him as commonplace man,
utterly without culture and
defci mt in the keen sense of
honor and christian charity-thrown
to the surface of affairs by logged
will and persistent digging with the
pickaXe in the politiacal mine. But
no other man of finer temper has op
posed this mauler of craftsmanship
and unless such an antagonist appears,
the state will again be straddled by q
Sancho Panza for two years more, and
those who have presumed to oppose
him will be consigned to Gehenna by
his offended majesty. Is Texas so de-
pleted of her Grace of noble Dloods"
that she can boasf of only one man
Blow the trumpet tor the rally and let
the best man step to the front. The
ideas of August may, after all, record
the fall of small Caesar.
This is rather strong language, but
who shall dare to say that it is not
warranted fully by the circumstances
surrounding the present candidacy
| of Governor Ireland for reelection.
The tribute to Ross is just one, and
it voices but the sentiment of the
intelligent masses of the party
in Texas. The assertion of the I'M
popularity Of Governor Ireland is but
the utterance of a truism broadly &C
cepted in this state, and the hold he
has acquired upon the people is but
another indication, if one were needed,
of the absolute power of the ring com
bination which has for years controlled
absolutely, not only the public policy
of the state, but also of the democratic
party as well. There are signs of a
general revolt and it will come when,
and in such power that the
ringsters will think lightning has
struck close to the house. We warn
the democracy of Texas that they
are going too far, refining the masses
of the party beyond what is reasona-
BILE or right, and they will resent the
matter at the right time, and in a way
that will hurt awfully, if it doesn't en-
tirely hand the state over to the opposi-
ton. The danger of this denouement
is apparent. and it would be we'll to
heed the indications ERE it is toe late.
Gen. Ross does wrong in waiting for
for his promotion until such time as
the ring would have him run. He
ought to consider this phase of the
matter a little before putting himself
absolutely under the control of the
ringsters. When it comes to be a
question between the ring and the
people, the people always win in the
end.