San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-26
AN OLD DEMOCRAT
Tells Story of Two Politicians-How
They Manage to Straddle the
War and Politics.

They Manage to Straddle the
War and Politics.
A LIGHT reporter met one OF the old demo-
Gratis this morning. On the candidacy of Maj.
Breckenridge he said:
Reporter-Knowing you to be one Of the
staunch democrats of Bexar county, would
ike TO have your opinion on Major Bracken-
ridges candidacy for the governorship Of
Texas. Have you considered it2
Democrat-Yes, sir; have, and have con-
sidered his candidacy from the most favorable
standpoint, and ] must say that think his
chances are about equal with those of bob
tail dog in fly time.
R.-What do you think Of his state papers
SO promiscuousy scattered over the slater
d. am of the opinion that he did not write
them, because If he had possessed the language
contained in them, he would have had too
good sense to let the people know that he was
so utterly unfit for the office he seeks. In the
second place, think the position he takes on
the leasing of the school lands and the state
rangers, is enough TO damn him for all time to
come in the eyes of the people of Texas.
R.-DO you think he has followers enough
here to get the county convention to instruct
for himI
well, that is hard to say, most sincerely
hope that he has not, for many reasons. L am
a democrat from beginning to end; have never
taken part with any other political party
other than the democratic, and must say that
| am too loyal to my party to vote for Brack-
stands towards the democracy Bear with me,
then, for a moment and I'll tell you all about
it Go with me as far back as 1860 when the
clouds of war were lowering over our country
and I'll tell you of a conversation between
George and Tom. 1t was this way"
Say, Tommy" asks the cool calculating
George, "Did you know the war was coming
OnI"
what war brother Georger" asks the aston
ished Tom.
"Why, the war about the 'niggers' between
the north and SOUTH"
Tom looks scared and then says, what side
brother GanrQpI'
well, tell you says he, 81 have thought
over the matter a good deal and have come
to this conclusion, you go and join the Confed-
crates and stay there, and III Join the Union
army and fight with them"
What! brother fight against brotherT' de-
hands Tom in astonishment.
Now look here Tommy" says George,
this thing is purely a matter of business. -"
''Of course il is" broke in Tom. but which
side is going to win?''
Tom, you talk like a fool Who on earth
can tell which side is going to win! Nobody.
Now you go join the COnfeds. and I'll join the
Union army, and then we are bound to win.
If your side wins, you help me, and If my side
side wins, I'll help you. Cant you see where
the point comes in ? That's business"
SO said so done, and to-day, sir, they occupy
the very same position in relation to the dem
Ocratic party. II the republicans are at the
helm, George is with them with his National
bank, and If the democrats are on top, Tom is
ON their side to tickle them in the short ribs
with his National bank The democracy has
always been, and is to-day, opposed to National
banks, and these newspapers that have so
zealOusly supported Breckenridge for govern
or, know just about as much about democracy
las a hog does about heaven"
Then again, don't like the means he has
resOrted DIN getting his name before the pub
lie, in subsidizing and buying stock in news
papers, to boast him for governor"
What do you mean," asked the reporter.
well, you will hear more from me later in
the campaign Good Day -