San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-03
THE TWO

that which met here last month.
That convention was ushered in with
great pomp and ceremony, as the con-
GLIDING act in the drama which had
been played on the political stage OF
Texas tor many weeks. That conven-
ton was called to set the seal of dis
favor on the old democracy of the
state and to declare that that
old democracy had out-lived
its usefulness. That convention
was called to emphasize the fact that
the Farmers Alliance had taken out
an injunction against the democratic
management Of the state and pro-
posed to appoint Hogg its receiver.
That convention was like Jacob
when he came to confidence old Isaac
and cheat Esau out of his birthright.
1t had the voice of the democracy
but the hands of the Alliance. That
conventioncame. pre-advertised as hos
tile to the state in that it was hostile
to its greatest agency of development,
and proposed a practical usurpation
of its rights, privileges, propert ties
and emoluments. That convention
came with all its work arranged in
secret sessions previously held; its
principal candidates as thoroughly
known to the wire pullers be-
fore the convention as after
ward, and all its routine ar
ranged like the pieces and automata
in a set play. That convention had
behind it the forces Of a solid south
and a state majority of one hundred
and fifty thousand. That convention,
all powerful as it was, gave no prom
ise of relief TO the state from any act
of vicious legislation, the disabilities
of which are already felt, but instead
shouted itself hoarse in declarations
of added hostility to the progress of
the stare, the security of property and
the rights of corporations.
The convention that meets today is
a convention of the minority; a hope
less minority assembled to protest
against the paternalism and class
which was so unmistaka-
BILE voiced in the Alliance convention
of last month, commonly called the
democratic state convention. The
convention that meets today, so far
from having all its work arranged in
secret caucuses and its candidates
in the wings, ready to step on
the stage and bow their acknowledge
ments as the prompter calls their
names, is in utter ignorance OF who
its candidates shall be, what its is
sues shall be, whether it shall dig its
own grave or lay the foundation for
an abiding dwelling. This conven-
ton has a supreme opportu-
nifty before it; an opportunity
for great good or for great evil.
This convention meets at a crisis
in the history of the republican party
in Texas. and in the south. 1t is to
determine by its action whether the
declarations upon which it planted
itself in 1865, were a truth or a lie.
Whether the principles which have
guided Its councils and animated its
leaders and inspired it's work for
more than a quarter of a century are
to be abandoned or upheld, FORE
sworn or ~solemnly adhered to.
This convention is met to de-
termine If order can be evoked
out OF chaos and the party 80 reha-
billtated as to become n rallying point
for the disappointed who have looked
in vain for deliverance from demo-
cratic helpers. This convention
stands committed to the salvation or
destruction of republicanism in this
state. If to its salvation, it will stand
by the old affairs and the old fires; it
will thoroughly organize its forces; it
will put men worthy of trust before
the people as its choice for state lead
ers, and enunciate such principles of
state policy as will commend them
selves to the approval of the public
intelligence.