The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-08-21

]
boards, while your names were
being balloted upon by the conven
ton, and when the wires flashed the
glad Ii 'ings of your success the peo-
pie were wild with joy. Satisfaction
and pleasure beamed upon the faces
of all, both young and old, white and
black. These manifestations of pleas.
IRE, more forcibly than words, convey
to you the esteem in which you are
held by the community in which you
1--we. 1t shows to you that the up.
right and honorable lives that you
have led, and the fidelity with
which you have discharged
your ardnous duties through a
long series of years have not only
commanded the admiration and re-
spect of the people of Texas, but
doubly so of your own home people
and friends. Your nomination indi
Gates the dawn of purer and better
era in the politics of this State. 1t
shows that nominations are now made
upon business principles, upon merit,
qualification and fitness for office alone.
1t shows that buried limb upon
some lonely battle field, or the shak-
ing of an empty sleeve are no
longer, by themselves, pass
ports into office in Texas
L do not under value the Confederate
soldier, nor am l lacking in app, ecia,
ton of the heroism, bravery and sacri-
fees exhibited by him upon thou
sand occasions and which have chal-
lenged the admiration of the civilized
world, and no mans view leads him
further in advocacy Of State aid to
render the declining years of those
who are needy, peaceful and
easy. Yet notwithstanding all
this, 1 am one of those who believe
that the time has come when the great
divine interests of this great State will
be promoted, when we return to the
old Jeffersonian list of fitness for
office, honesty, capability and So
briefly" 1t is matter of great con-
graduation to the people, that the
ticket put in the field at San Antonio,
and which ticket in my hum
BILE judgment will secure
the largest majority ever yet received
in Texas, can in every particular ans
wer the great Jeffersohian test of Of
fee, and none in a more conspicuous
manner than you two gentlemen.
There is not man upon that ticket
that has received his nomination from
sympathy, or by reason of great war
record, but each and all of them by
reason alone of the pre-eminent quail
tications that they possess to fill to
the full measure the requirements OF
the Office for which they have been
nominated. Your nomination repre-
sents another great and potent factor
in our politics. Hitherto the old
Democrats-those who figured in the
councils of Democracy before the wal
have acted strictly upon the
theory of "Old men for council, young
men for war;" and while accepting
the votes and the work of the younger
Democracy, have monopolized all the
offices themselves. But at SAN An
tonic that hobby was reversed, and in
the language of an old country friend
of mine VINO was Il delegate to the
convention he said, "The kids
sure got there this time" Again, your
nomination is indicative of another
great reform. 1t shows an intention
upon the part of the Democratic party
to reward the fidelity of those already
in official positions. That the hum.
blest subordinate in the governmental
service, by reason of a faithful per
Torrance of all his duties, can expect
promotion even to the highest
place in his department.. How
much more faithful and diligent can
an humble plodder in thf various de.
partments be when in the discharge
of his duties he not only enjoys the
satisfaction that results from duty
we'll performed but he is strengthened
and inspired by consciousness of the
fact that he belongs to a political
party that recognizes merit and whose
policy is to advance and promote
the faithful. Both of you gen
tlemen live an Official life IN
humble positions, but step oy step, by
faithful performance of duty, you
won your way into the hearts of your
countrymen, until now the Demo
cratic party in recognition of your
great worth have called upon each of
you to preside as chief over a de-
partment Of our government where
but few years ago you began your
careers as but subordinate clerks
How can this be b ut gratifying to you
and your friends, and how inspiring
it is to hosts of young men that will
be under you in ypur employ,
Again, what grand and glorious as
socrates have you Upon the State
ticket. What clear official records
they present. How pure and beauti
full their lives and private characters
How fearless have they all been in
the discharge OK official duty. How
fearlessly have THEY all withstood the
combinations of influential persons
and politicians, rand greatly aggraga
ted corporate { powers. 1 tell you
gentleman, it lis an honor and 6
firm one of tn component parts o