San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-22
PARTY ORGANIZATION.


In lite Wednesday evening report OF
DR.. Cochran's speech, the LIGHT pur-
posely omitted all reference to the deple-
tIon Of the republican majorities in the
strong republican states OF the North,
and OF the cutting down Of the great
democratic majorities in the overwhelm-
ingly democratic states OF the South.
This was done because the space allotted
the speech in these columns did not adj
nit of such notice as the Importance OF
the subject demanded. In speaking of
the 100, 900 minority of the republicans in
this State, and the apparent temerity OF
any man attempting canvass against
such odds, DR.. Cochran referred to the
disintegrations of the political parties
the political changes that were so
marked, now sweeping over this State,
the result Of which no man could fore
tell. From this view Of parties in Texas
he turned to Massachusetts, PenDsyl-
yanIa, Michigan, Iowa and Kansas as
pertinent illustrations Of what persistent
organization and the preservation Of
party lines intact would accomplish in
the face OF overwhelming odds. In
twenty-four years the democrats OF the
north had fairly wiped out the immense
maiOrities under which they were
buried at the close of the war, in which
they had lost all for which they had
commended, and had repOssessed them
selves Of the government. This he said
was simply the result ofpersistent effort
and close organization. The democracy
never gave up hope, never surren Tered
party to the mere desire for personal
gain, but year after year confronted the
solid masses ofthe republican party with
a complete organization, a full ticket, Il
vigorous canvass and SO kept up the
fight Year by year the majOrities were
cut down lower and lower until Massa-
chusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and
Kansas had all returned democratic ma
jorities. The same thing WAS happening
In the south. West Virginia, Virginia,
Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, all
showed year by year decreasing demo-
cratic majorities, showing that the po-
liticsl parties both north and south
held their political place by II
very insecure tenure, and that there
was great hope in the stu
alton for republicsnism in Texas.
II WAS organization which had accom-
pllshed this, and one reason why the
democratic party in Texas was so over
whelmingly great, was because the re-
publican party had allowed itself to be-
come disintigrated and had not kept its
face steadily towards the foe.
This part Of DIR. Cochran's speech
should be framed and hung up in the
office Of every fusionist republican in
Bexsr county. 1t was not heard by
many Of the deserters from the republi-
can camp, for this class was conspicu-
Ously absent and did not hear the words
Of truth and sOberness which tell from
the lips of the republican nominee for
governor. The LIGHT has again and
again advocated the adherence to party
lines as the only salvation of party prin-
oiples, the only method OF preserving
party organization, the only means of
pursuing party work. 1t is more imper-
atiyely necessary TO do this when the
party is in the minority, than when it is
in the majority; because, in its weakness,
desertions from the party OF thOs9 who
are party politicians from Cesire for
office for themselves or others, and not
from principle, become very frequent
and it is necessary to keep the ranks
closed up. The people who are not fixed
go with the crowd, and in this dIsinteg-
ration of parties the drift is always to-
ward the side Of the stronger party.
There are whole volumes of instruction
and warning for Texas republicans in
these facts. Bexar county fusiOnists
should read them morning, noon and
night, and reading, heed the lessons
taught.
The Biloxi quarantine should be rig
idly enforced until the frost comes. The
epidemic got a good foot hold before the
sagaciOus doctors found its character.
Such diseases usually come with a well
defined pedigree. This Biloxi crop must
have been nondescript, like county pol
ltics; and like county politics, it will
bear watching.
GERMANY is reported to have Joined
France and Russia in demanding Eng
lands evacuation of Egypt. Let these
powers pay English capitalists the mil
lions guaranteed them by the English