Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-07-24
THE PEOPLES FORUM.



MARSHALL, Tx, July 22.--Edtor
GAzETrE There are four names brought
forward for United States senator, Hon.
S. b. Maxey, Col. A. W Terrell, Gov.
John ireland and Hon. John Hancock.
To these has been added recently tifth,
Hon. John II. Reagan. To his
credit be II said, Judge Reagan's
candidacy, II candidacy II shall be, has
been by no movement and no Indication
from him, directly or indirectly, that he
designed to engage In a scramble for the
office. Ia fact, II we are to take the an
tecedents of his past public career as a
guide, such course would be contrary
TO his nature and In contradiction of that
delicacy of sentiment and propriety of
conduct that have always governed him.
For ne position that he has held, includ
ing the office he now oils and has filled for
years with distinguished honor,
has he thrust himself forward,
and at no time have we
found him playing the part OF a
schemer or demagogue TO obtain promo
ton. In every case 1t has been the
people, the real people Of Texas, who
esteem true merit and desire TO honor 1t,
that have manifested their confidence in
him. So, in this case, the mention OF his
name by the press aud from various por-
tions Of the state, east and west, north
and south, are the patriotic and unsellsh
utterances of observant and rejecting
men that admire and honor him, and who
give utterance to popular sentiment
that pervades every portion of Texas.
The position of United States senator
Is one of the most exalted that can be
conferred upon citizen by the people.
1t Is second only to the presidency itself.
The man who asrires to 1t should be
without spot or blemish He should
possess the highest ability, the most ex-
allied patriotism, unquestioned integrity,
and moral courage that dlsregards per-
sonal interest and personal aggrandiZe-
ment II there is such man IN Texas,
It seems to me it Is Judge Reagan.
| lie has national reputation,
| not won in u day, but through many long
laborious, faithful, patriotic years, de-
voted to the best interests of his country.
| His long career of public life has shown
not only his honesty as generally under
stood among men, but his perfect sin.
cerity and frankness. lie has never
failed during that period to meet every
issue that has presented itself; he has
never been during all these years charged
with duplicity or double-dealing, or with
silence when duty required him to speak.
For thirty years he has been in public life,
and for over thirty years in the federal
councils. And now, with an enviable
record, respondent in all that men adj
| mire, an experience that no one else can
claim, a reputation that reaches the most
remote lines Of the republic, thoroughly
a Texan and a representative Southern
man, this recognition OF his moral,
intellectual and patriotic worth is not
asked by himself or by few partial
friends, but an expression that comes
from every portion OF the state.
Rotation in office, all things being equal,
is right and proper; but If it takes place,
the man that succeeds to the Office should
be the equal, and, If possible, the
superior, of thesmen that has held It.
Judge MaXey will have filed the position
of senator, at the close of his present
term, twelve years All the honor thai
the Office can confer on him he has fully
enjoyed. He could gain no more II he
filed IL TO the close of his life. Nov
comes the suggestion of the election o.
another of at least equal experience anC
of at least equal ability. OF al the mer
In the field for senator, what man viii
compare with Judge Reagan in statesman
ship, experience, sincerity and reliability
What man has greater influence at Wash
, ington or can hope to reach such nation
al standing even in score Of years
Who among them can expect, within tina
{ period, to acquire his knowledge of pub
lie affairs and influence? Connected
with great ability, as have said, are hi
sincerity and moral courage. These
stand conspicuous in Judge Reagan
character, and to them may be added thu
proprlety of his course. He regards tn,
office as one not to be sought or declined
9 That is the true, patriotic course.
Il will be sad day for Texas when schem
+ ing, trickery, demagogism and none.
\ shall be successfully employed to fill an,
! exalted office, and especially that o
= United States senator, the highest in tn
Gift OF the peonle TRUR DEMOCRAT