Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-13
THE CONVENTION OPENED.
Speech of Hon. n. W. Finley, Chairman of
the State Democratic Executive
Committee.
Special to the Gazette.

Committee.
Special to the Gazette.
SAN ANTONIO, Ten, Aug. R.-At II a. m.
Chairman Finley OF the executive committee
stepped forward and introduced Rev D. F. G.
Timmons of Tyler, who prayed feryently for five
minutes to the delegates standing. When he
had finished Mr.. Finley spoke as follows:
CHAIRMAN FINLEY's SPEECH.
FELLOW DEMocRATs:-I greet you with con-
ordinations upon the happy auspices under
which you assemble to-day In TINS beautiful
city; rendered sacred and dear 10 The hearts of
ali Texans by the baptism of its soil in the best
blood OF heroes, shed for the liberty and lnd9-
pendence of Texas. II is peculiarly approprl-
ate that the political party in whose hands rests
the destiny of Texas should meet upon TINS MS
torc ground (under the shades OF the Allmo,
and amid the cherished "reminiscences OF the he
roic deeds OF the fathers) to declare ITS prlncl-
ples and name and consecrate those into whose
hands the government of this great state Is to
pass at the November election. Here IN the
civic work of this body let the fires OF patriot
Ism burn in our hearts, as they Durnt IN the
hearts of the heroes who assembled mere an
half century past and laid down their lives as
an offering upon the altar OF their country.
Seventeen years ago the Democratic party oil
Texas took from the hands of Radlcalism the
government of the state, fndih5S It with an
empty treasury, shameful load OF indebted
ness q blasted credit, and rate OF taxation IN
tolera Bile to be borne; within less than six
years under the influence of Democratic nom
esty and economy, 3 cash balance was IN the
MUM of lao in the markets of the world, and
an extremely low rate of taxation was estab-
lished, yielding 8 Sufficient revenue Tor the
maintenance and efficient operation OF every
department and institution OF the government.
Each succeeding two years since 1874, the nomI-
nees of the Democratic party elected 10 once by
the suffi res of the people, have come before
the assembled Democracy of the state with
clean records to surrender their althfu!ly exc
cuted commissions. Amidst all the otnclal cor
ruptions of the times with their de faultlng
fro and abSCOQdlup Cu3tOQlanS, Jle
millions OF Texas treasure is still intact and the
white roll of honor and integrity to-day wraps
within its spotless FOLDS the form OF
TEXAS DEMOCRACY.
Under the benign influences OF Democratic
administration, with its low taxes, splendid
system of public schools, normal colleges ana
universities its exemption and presumption
laws and the even-handed and Just manner In
which it has protected and dealt with the life,
liberty and property of all and every citizen OF
the state without regard to station or race; her
population and taxable values nave Deen more
than doubled within the last decaue, her resour
ces have been developed and brought TO the at
tention of the world, and teamlng thousands
are yearly pouring into her borders TO ENJOY Ihe
blessings of her government and reap the rlcn
fruits she offers to capital INDUSTRY, ana ap1r
Since we last met in state convention the nag
of our party has gone down in deteat In It's con-
test for supremacy in the general government
and the Republican party by ITS victory over US US
has been placed in control OF all branches OF the
government Since the hour OF It's ascendency
into power, no legislation has peen passed 70
inspire quicken the energy Vi tuc pSOOlCi
no words OF cheer from the administration ha:
fallen upon Southern ears; the hal!s Oh congress
have resounded with brutal assaults, insults
and anathemas upon the southern people; oul
representatives to congress have by the exercls Sc
of the arbitrary power of the majority been De
prived of their seats without shadow OF rlgh
or decency; and we are now threatened Win tns
loss of our liberty in the exercise OF the sacred
boon OF elective franchise by the passage or the
Force Bin'' But If l mistake not the signs o.
the times, the desperate extremes 10 Wnlcn tnat
r. F0rt rlnr
its lease Of power has aroused the spirit OF III
dignatlon and resentment,
NOT ONLY IN THE SOUTH,
but among the great laboring and agriculture
elements in The West and the Northwest; an /
the Democratic party wisely husbands ats op'
portunities, we will in the next election drive
the tyrants and plunderers from their places and
| restore to the people an honest and patriotic
administration of the affairs OF the general gov
| eminent. Let the vitality which nss sustained
| the Democracy for century past Wnlcn na'
| borne it up with manly vigor during more thai
| twenty-five years of defeat, re-lnvlgorate ant
| in spIre 1t under the wrongs OF the present fo
| future contests in behalf OF honest, constltu-
| tional government Let me say to the assembled
| Democracy of Texas, that whatever may be thu
| result of contests for supremacy In TINT
Federal government The Republicans may con
| troll it, the may lnalaign and ABUSE us n the
halls of congress. they may pass tneir ne fariou'
''force bill'' and by their exercise OF might un
| seat our representatives. yet the democracy o.
| Texas. composed of men brave snd true (frou
all avocations and stations in life WAN rise IN tht
dignity OF its manhood above al! tnese poltlea
crimes and give to the people OF Texas state
| government administered upon the principles o
| honesty and economy, freedom AMI lndepen
| dence.
There are no antagonisms Of classes or occu
| pations within the ranks of Texas Democracy
! the agricultural and laboring ms,ses are a
| truly Democratic the men OF other avoca
| tions; and il our party is watchini OF the inter
ests of all classes, is definite and clear upon thu
| living, burning issues of state polcy affecting
the mate lial int ests of the people, the peopl
| of all ayocations will remain loyal 10 1t. Blu
/ should the organization of the party unfortu
| nately pass into the hands and De directed ant
| controlled by that class of men VINO are ready
| to 20 into fits of hydrophoola whenever tn
| name and interests of the farmer and lahore
| are mentioned, then the antagonlsm VIII be pre-
| cipitaied and the spirit OF manhood in thos
| elements will rebel at such treatment. Let u
| be true to the interests OF all the people, an
/ prudent and conservative in the management o
| our organization, and there are not secret soci
| cites enough in the land to ALLEVIATE the farme
\ of Texas from the Democratic parry
| TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
| Nominations for temporary chairman wer
| now in order. Mr.. J. s. smith from Hi
1 county put in nomination B. y. Tarleton @
/ Hfll county and he was chosen by reclamation
Mr.. Finley appointed Mr.. snltn and Judg