The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-08
The statesman's "seare crow

The Statesman's ''Seare Crow,
The above elegant line heads an at
tempt by the Fort Worth Gazette to
answer the charge made by this paper .
to the effect that its own and the
aIdor of other north Texas influences
in the cause of the abrogation of the
two-thirdS rule was, and is, inspired
by the determination of that section
to run the Houston convention in the
interests alone of north TeXas-and
the adoption of the majority rule will
be purely for that purpose, so far as
they are concerned, and nothing
else. The answer is that the
eastern and southern Texas papers are
also N favor of the abrogation of the
two-thirds rule, and therefore, north
Texas cannot be working for any such
purpose. This is the-"heft" of the
argument. This is its force and
worth, nothing more, and nothing
less. 1t never heard of people in poll
tics making selfish use of conditions
existing ready made to their hands.
Southern and eastern Texas has heard
the din of the News against the rule
for so many years that insensi-
bly, and almost against their own
will, their papers have given
expression to anti two thirds
rule sentiments. This does not
indicate that the people are in the
move or that the papers even clamor-
ing for abrogation are irrevocably
committed to the policy. We do not
fear for the safety of the rule. We
do not. We regard it as perfectly safe
as it has always been, but we like to
show Up the motives of democrats
who habitually assault democratic
principles and usages in this way.
The PEOPLE of north Texas do not
sympathise with this raid on the rule
We know the brave true democ-
racy of that section well, far
better, indeed, than does the Ga
zette. And we know that they do no
sanction that papers course in this
matter. We only fear that these good
true farmers and business men ara SO
busy that they will relegate prlma-
ries and convent ems to those reckless
and inexperienced manipalators, and
mischief will be done for which the
honest masses of the party will be
held responsible.
We will see no false step taken by
o the party, nor by any wing Oh
- section Of it, Willingly or willingly
= without warning and protest
y We have seen this able paper take this
false step only with infinite regret. i
;, has come to be veteran habit will
! the News to go Oft into this position
, every two years, for many years. A
first it had absolutely no followers, IL
hackers. 1t was then fighting ;
o mythical individual or principle which
= it called king caucus. The battle wa
. simply and purely struggle agains
q democratic organization, Northing
more and nothing less. During tina
stage of the matter the sticklers TO
the usages, rules and principles Of tn
party were lovingly or derid
u ingIy called old fogies, moss
backs, Bourbons and the devi
: only knows what else besides. TheI
y some papers in southern and eastern
Texas who are now submissiYely fol
: lowing the News were fighting
it and its faulty democracy as TIL
. STATESMAN did then, and is now dc
a ing. The only difference is that W
9 have held the faith and they hay
= given in-much as the maiden di
\ who married the fellow to be quit O
:, him. The News has shifted its posi-
. ton often, and it has radically change
=. its tactics this season. 1t uses ia
less offensive terms than formerly re
= aliz1ng that it is bad policy to max
= people mad whom it would convert.
- The papers in south and east TeXa
" spending their force against the rul
- no more voice the real sentiments o
= the people than does the Gazette an
= Herald in north Texas-not 50 nue.
- so indeed, because here the people ar
. far more united upon the policy Of tn
, rule, and far more opposed to the ulti
= mate solution of the riddle of abroga
. tion-division-than they are in that
:, section. 1t is notorious that what
-" ever sentiment there is in TeXa
in favor of division is found, as W
% have previously said, in north Texas
The Gazette will find that much nois
- is not argument. That sound an
= fury convinces no man.
n 1t will not be long until many tru
# democratic papers in this section of tn
q state will become ashamed of having
q been lead off into that anti two third
h rule heresy and will gather to the sup
+ port of THE STATESMAN in its almos
Y solitary struggle for known and &C
h cepted democratic usage. It does no
= matter if they do or not. We are RICH
o and not all the unfaithful democrat,
+ or the concealed purpose of division
= can drive us from the position.
e The Syndicate.