Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-08-29
A Nnu Prinninle Ennr niatad

Chief among the absurd things that
have been put forward in this political
campaign il the proposition that the
utterances of the state Democratic
platform are iinal disposition Of the
lease question. There are men who
say, and whose blind prejudice may
have lead them to believe that the
declaration e the Houston conven-
ton in favor of the perpetuation Of
n lease law is solemn party adjudica.
ton of that question, from which there
can be no appeal. 1T has even gone 80
far as that the party i-alty of men who
hold the contrary has been questioned,
and the declaration made that candi.
date who stands for the Legislature
upon the advocacy of free grass has
forfeited his claim for the support of
the Democratic party. The man who
nccepts the dictum of the state con-
vention IA precluding local agitation
of the lease question Is less Democrat
in principle than he who rejects that
dictum and appeals to his constituents
for decision.
The groundwork OF Democratic
principle is local self-government.
Democracy Is opposed to the central
izstion of government, and the oppos-
ing principle of the most liberal
diffusion of power amongst the
people has never ceased to be
cardinal rule of Democratic teach
ing. The absorption of power by the
federal government at the expense of
the states has been against the con-
slant protests OF that party. Its whole
history II one of devotion to local
supremacy, and in this principle Is
the secret of it's imperishable strength
AS II stands between the states and
the feder Al usurpttion of power, so Il.
stands between the people and II de-
mand from the state OF cessiun of
rights which are vested in the people
This right to discuss, criticise and de-
iermine question of state govern
ment Is prerogative which apper-
tains to the pc ople in their capacity M
electors, and 4. Ia for them to say, in the
choice of legislative representa-
tves, what shall be the disposi.
ton of any public question conce H.
ing them 50 closely as the leasing of
their school lands. The man who de-
a'es them this right departs from
Democratic principle himself.
Mr.. Pendleton was nominated by
the Democrats of Tarrant county AS an
opponent of the lease system, and la
struoted by such selection to oppose
the leasing Of the state lands. He is
the representative of feeling In Tarr mt
county, and is not TO be Influenced by
any opposite feeling among the people
OF Travis or Bexar county. 70 say
that MIR. Pendleton, rs the representa-.
tive or Tarrant county, cannot oppose
the lease law because the state conyen-
ton favored it. Is equivalent to saying
that the right Of local self.government
has been taken away from the peo-
pie OF this county because there IN
prevailing opinion elsewhere tina,
does not agree with what is thought by
this people. To allow such false logic
10 to susmital questions Of public in.
terest to he settled, not In legislatiy,
debate, but In roaring, impatient dog.
matte conventions. The legislature
might as well be abolished II 3 ate
convention is TO be given the power 10
say what IL shall or shall not do
counties need rot 30 to the expense NJ
eieeting representatives il thel, eon.
duct Is to be regulated by men rom
ether parts OF the state. ftbe lattsy-
aay principle CT Texas Democracy Is IN
be accepted, then we are hereafter 10
be governed by conventions and can
cuses, not by representatives al ,ba
people, in ructed by them to protect
their local interests.
How Is Thi.!
Cleburne TELEGRAM.