The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-16
ARrsrocRAcY OF OFFICE.


1t is of the nature of a republican form
I'of government that even the lowliest
citizen can with infinite propriety aspire
TO hold office, state or federal. The only
prerequisite essential is that he shall be a
man competent from the standpoint of
ability, and of the integrity and honor
fitting for the position. In England dis
tinction comes of hereditary right It's
the boast of America that kingship
crowns the man for his intrinsic worth
and not because of his parentage. This
is the recognized principle, and is capa-
BILE of practical application. With this in
mind the bold assumption of the friends
of Maxey and Ireland is peculiar. 1t Is
claimed by these friends that 1t is moth
! ing more than natural for Ireland to as
pire to the United States senatorship-
it is sin the direct line of succession"
but for Terrell, man of the people, and
not being backed by the prestige of the
gubernatorial Office, to dare look so high
is preposterons and only applicable
by the ambition of the man. This truly is
wonderful assertion, and yet is being
boldly tossed about. 1t can lead only to
this, that our country has degenerated
into an Aristocracy of Office. That there
is q peculiar and favored class, not lorGs
and dukes in name, but of such standing,
dignity and prestige, because of past
official position, that, perforce, they are
of the elect, from their ranks mist come
those to be favored by future advance
ment, and vile heresy is the badge of him
who dares attempt to dispute their lordly
prerogative. This may be the view of
those blinded to their own humanity, their
realization that they are simply men, and
"of the earth, earthly" because of the line
of patronage they have dispensed,and the
mercenary and of self interest regard in
which they have been held; but that the
people, who originally placed these little
magnates in power, so regard their claim,
we will never admit.
The people of this country are thoroughly
conscious that whatever of authority and
power is in this nation springs from
them. They unclothed themselves to in
vest certain positions and laws with the
habiiments of their inalienable rights,
and the officials holding those positions
and enforcingtthose laws are displaced or
reappointed solely upon the peoples will.
Whence then comes this claim of the
friends of Maxey and Ireland? Who gave
these men the right to erect the battle
ments of an "Aristocracy of Officer" Upon
what authority do they say to the people,
you are free to choose, but you must
choose either Maxey or Ireland! And you
must make this choice not because these
are the only two men in the state capable
and deserving the Office of United States
senator, but beca Use they are in the arts
tocratic official clique, and if Maxey can
not gain the position, why Ireland is the
next eligible candidate there can
be no other. And above all else, we,
Maxey and Ireland from the dignity of
our official prestige, thunder down the
edlct that you, the people-the only true
sovereigns though you be-must not soil
your fingers with voting for one of your
10 iS yunrthv oh on1
competent, but he is not of the chosen
few; he has no claims that we recognize,
and we reserve the right to decide for
you.
This is the issue broadly made by these
gentlemen they may not now dodge it, nor
will the people fail to hold them respon
sible for the disrespec it contains.