The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-10
Lip Service.

Just now Governor Ireland Is hay
ing what undoubtedly he regards as |
surfeit of lip service-empty, tireless |
and meaningless words sound, rant
fury and simulated indignation that
there should be those in this fair
Texas land of ours who presume to
differ with him and them. This lip
service is only hurtful to the COVER
nor. If some of its evil effects could
be made part of or be attached to a
good healthy recoil, the general pub
lie would be satisfied that the Shout
ders of the clippers" were made to
bear part of the burden they place
on both the governor and society at
Large. True party devotion differs
very materially from that expected
from the lip brigade. These latter are
not expected to care particularly
about the principles represented in
the administration so long as they
pipe the strain most melifously sweet
to ears gubernatorial. Nor do they
have either the time or the capacity to
get to the bedrock of proposition.
"They do not have to-" and bought
effort does not work moment after
the appropriation is exhausted. This
thing of loud self-asserting devotion
to one democrat at the expense of an
other of equally excellent claims, may
be-is, in fact-indulged in now with
comparatively few noxious results, but
were results, political, only a little
closer than they are now, discretion
would lie forced upon the army of par
tisans, personal and otherwise. "Less
talk and more cider" should be the
slogan of the official who con-
templated the chances, either
near or remote, of reelection. 1t is
the talk which does the mischief nine
times out of ten, and it is not the en-
emy's talk either.
Now we contend that the govern
or's whole official course and policy
lies open, fairly and legitimately
open, to examination and criticism,
and it is the duty of free press to
examine it. Of course if a paper is
honest and consistent the Criticism
will be sincere. But because dlshvn-
est papers may do so unfairly does
not mean that fair papers may
not honestly discuss and urge hon
est objections. We, in Texas, should
never forget that the enormous
majority we have here imposes weigh
ty responsibilities upon the democ-
racy. We cannot escape, as party, il
we would, the consequences of tn
bad policies and their bad results, anG
neither can any power rob the party
of its due glory for correct policies
In this view of the case it will be seen
that there are greater interests at
stake, even politically, than those
bound up in the personal fortunes OF
the incumbent. All this teaches that
we cannot be too chary with the liD.
1--WE would advise the friends OF
Governor Ireland to not consider his
reelection sure, as long as he is act
lively opposed by two or three promi'
nent newspapers"
The above from the Age is very
suggestive indeed. 1t Is certain that
the newspapers have a power in these
things which is almost beyond com
putting. But there is another thing
connected with this matter which the
Age has overlooked. Papers have
power only so long as they are just
or as power is justly used. In the case
of Governor Ireland, all the papers can
do is place his official acts and conduct
under as strong light as possible and
then he will stand. or fall alone by
their merits or their dement's. After
all it is himself, and not the papers
who fixes his status and mark off his
official tenure. And yet there is pow.
er in the press and that power brings
with it a responsibility which should
serve to render every paper laying
claims to honest intent and patri-
otto purpose to be careful to steer
alone by the rules of strictest integrity,
and be faithful and just both to the
people whose mouth-pieces they are,
and to the officers whom they elect to
serve them. Tho governor is but hui
man and he has committed errors.
We do not presume he claims exemp-
ton from the consequences by reason
of the fact that he holds Office at the
behest of the people. A better thing
for him to claim, would be a fair, can
did and competent examination of
his official course and conduct.