San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-09-23
The Political situation.

Ed. fRKE PnEss;-i noticed In an odi
torlal column Of the Cressst OF tho nth last
the following, "a State Prohibition tickle
is now In the field. WIN tho editor OF the
FnKE Pass advocate Its elsctloni"
This Ia plain and fair question, and or
dinarily, would be passed by without an,
thought; but In view Of the fact tha
In high places, with but few exceptions, u
has been considered disloyal 10 democracy
to advocate prohibition, the question carrie,
with il deeper meaning, than II woulc
otherwise suggest aud naturally forces one
TO inquire, what does II take at this day anc
time TO constitute democracyp
have been voting ever since was TWEEN
ty.ons yea-s old. the straight (straiD dem
ocratic ticket. My father and grand fathei
before me did the same, 30 did and do my
uncles aud male cousins; and think my
aunls and female cousins would. IL the right
of suffrage had been extended to themi but
of late have been a little in doubt AZ "a
whether am helping the cause Of true do,
mocracy, by supporting tho tickets, sno
platforms with their many unmeaning
planks, II would have government fol-
and by tho people. have been Of the
opinion that democracy demanded the free
coinage of silver as well as gold, that trade
and commerce should DO as free az the air
we breathe-that every honorable occupation
should have hearing and consideration in
the councils of our state and national gov
ernment,-that the public domain should
DO held for purchase by the people for act
ual use and settlement and not for the pur-
pose of speculation by monopolies. But
for several years / have seen so-callsd
democratic house Qower) Of Congress re-
fuse to place silver on standard with gold.
have seen il defeat every measure of prac-
teal value looking to free trade. I have
seen Il dish out its domain to corporations
and monopolies, and have seen IL refuse
agriculture, the backbone Of the govern
ment, and world as well, place in its cab
met and its councils. have seen 1t with
the Golfers Of the nation OVERLOOKING with
treasure filched from the toiling masses, re-
fuse to paw our national indebtedness, and
democracys Chief Executive aiding and
abetting in all or most all of these refusals.
And vet I am told, this Is demOcracW And
here in our own great state Of Texas, wholly,
entirely democratic, have seen one Of the
erandest richest domains ever bequeathed
by fathers for the education of their sons
and daughters, squandered or misappropri-
ated. But Men,-
"This land was famously enriched
With politio grave council"
Noao, q new democracy reigneth. What Of
other ones public lands? Are they owned
by actual settlers, the agriculturist and
stockman? Or are they largely in the hands
of syndicates and corporations2 Lands oil
gone, the treasury depleted, the state in
debt taxes increasing, sea cost OF hund-
reds of miles without harbor, rivers flow
ing iuto the gulf without navigation, yet for
compensation, we have a grand, glorious
democratic party, with q triumphant major
ity of one hundred and Thirty thousand. and
if you, Mr.. Editor, dare vote for prohibi-
ZIONIST, granger. farmer alliance man,
or knight of labor, just make up your mind
that in democracy you are henceforth and
forever unsound.
But my dear 81, .'The world moves for
oil that" A spirit of inquiry is abroad in
the land. The masses are beginning TO read,
to reflect, and it is possible they may soon
begin to inquire into the meaning of such
words as democracy, sepubIcantSm, etc.,
and it may be awaken to the to the knowl-
edge OF the fact, that, "a rose would smell
as sweet by any other name" Have You
ever thought what an earthquake or rather
quaking of knees this would bring about:
Just think of the vast number Of loyal re-
publicans and simon-prre democrats that
would wake up some bright November
morning and frd the big pocket in which
they have SO long carried the votes OF the
dear people, with little little hole in it.
and the votes p-ttey must haoe lost out!
For the present it seems to nae best, that
every lover of his country should awaken
from the lethargic state into which 80 many
of US have fallen, and examine the merits
aud dement's of the political issues OF the
day, advocating such measures as seem to
him wise, and opposing those that are un.
Just, needing not the lash of political
cliques, but afiliating az long as is consist
emit with his manhood, with that party that
seems most likely to accomplish needed
Legislation.
In the meantime let US educate our sons
aad daughters, no matter how great the
pecuniary sacrifice may be, and soon race
of reading. thinking men and women will
grow up, aud lift our government and ma
ton out of the ruts, mire and filth OF dema-
oopism. Mol.
We perhaps owe our readers an apology