The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-07-22

Eit1,ors FJ1ridsIn Should Davidson te IT
turned to Congress, is an importan: question
which the Democratic party 81 the First Con-
gresslonal District must soon determine. As 4
member Of that party beg tn offer some cogen'
reasons influencing me in taking the affirmative
Heretofore as delegate TO conventions, | have
NOT supported Davidson. -Four years ago. a, Tai
lahassee, voted for Perry. Two years ago, 81
Pensacola, / voted for Mcclellan, in CAUCUS
purely on personal grounds on both Occasions
and not from anything Objectionable 10 Davi+i-
son.
But the situation Is quiie different now from
then, made 50 by The efforts :of the friends O:
pirants, who have new and strange methods Of
creating statesmen
The unwise criticisms INDUCED in by portion Of
the press OF This district upon Davidson personally
and politically, raises an important issue, with
which the Brooksville Convention will have 10
deal The party there must endorse the assailanis
or vindicate Davidson. II Davidson Is retired, il
would be q sad reflection that he went out 10
disgrace, but the matter would not end there.
His defeat now would be highly inimical 10 the
future harmony and success Of the party 10 this
district and perhaps in the Stale The act
would be positive encouragement for bcker
ing, strife and discord.
To Justify false, groundless and uncalled for
attack upon a worthy representative Of the peo-
pie merely 10 make room for another is but SOW
ing the seed OF hemlock amidst the rank and file
Oh the parry 10 UcUiISI tHc idiuc vi Que WuDtu
the people have 50 often and 50 long hOnored
without a cause and without a reason is revolt
ing to every principle of justice and abhorent to
every sentiment OF refinement Do We bestow
an honor only that we may dig grave: Da-
wilson, they say, is brainless, OF no ability, an
im5ecile. if you please. If IT has taken them ten
years 10 ascertain this fact, l submit that their
discovery is unworthy Of consideration at this
late day l am unwilling to thus slul,ify myself
in this, have voted ten years for fool for
Congress. And further, has the Democratic
party sufficient material from which 10 create
statesmen and crush them at WILL however faith
full and devoted in the discharge of the trust
If so. is it wise to adopt such policy? 1t would
be difficult to find a worthy man 10 accept the
preferment in feeling that he would be crucifed
in the end.
Such methods cannot succeed. but only serve
TO arouse the righteous Indignation Of The hon
est Democratic voter Ii now behoovcs every
true Democrat to stampt the seal OF condemnation
upon such iniquty.
And whatever may have been our preferences
heretofore to maintain selfrespect and
respect for our party, we cannot retire Da-
wilson at this crisis; in doing 50 We cast
bghting reflection upon the entire party |
am unadvised as to Davidsons purposes,
whether or he is seeking denomination.
This should not be considered, for in his yindi
cation is involved higher principle than mere
personal preferment. The future welfare and
success of the Democratic party is at stake, for
if we are to countenance and encourage a syste-
matte slaughter Of our best and purest men for
no other cause than duty we'll done, our bond Of
union will but end in a rope of sand
Indeed does Davidson's record warrant these
attacks 1t may be true that during his public
career he has made no meteoric displays, nor es-
sayed to eclipse the fame Of Clay, Calhoun and
Webster, yet from the records ii appears that Da-
wilson has been souni to the core upon every i'm
portant National question, and upon every mea
sure affecting the interests Oi the people OF his
State he has been foremost in advocating their
rights, and the hundreds of miles Of mail
routes, together with munificent appropropria-
tons secured for different portions OF his State,
should satisfactorily attest his entire ability,
competency and efficiency V.
LEON COUNTY, July 20, 1896