Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-10-15
A FINE ARGUMENT
Spiced Freely With Wit and
Good Anecdotes
MADE AT GAINESVILLE, TEXAS,
By Hon. W. o. Davis, Before the Clark Club.
The Issues Of ihe Campaign Discussed
and Conclusions Drawn From
the General Situation.

Judge W. D. Davis delivered the
following speech before the Clark club
Of Gainesville:
FELLow- CIT1zENs--To build well
requires prudence, foIethought and
skill, but any one can tear down. The
rude hand and torch of the barbarian
destroyed In one night what the civil
lied Romans We're centuries in build
ing.
To devise ways and means by which
mankind can maintain civil society,
protect life and property, and at the
same time, preserve human liberty.
has perpleXed the wisest thinkers Of all
ages. The freaks and capers Of King
Jo' N, u Nero or a Phillip ofSpain, can
destroy In few years what II has
taken ages Of good and wise govern
ment to accomplish for man.
Spain was once the most powerful
and progressive kingdom in Europe.
Bigotry, intolerance, the inqulsition
and prosecution have dragged her
down until IL IS only question OF time
until she VIII loss her place among tho
nations Of tho Garth. Tho Turks were
once the most progressive as well as
the bravest people In the East.
MIsGovERNsfENT AND DEsPoTIsM
have sunk that people so low that they
only exist as nation becaus. Of the
Jealousy Of their noighbors
Mankind has always becr most pro-
gressiye, most enlightened and pros
porous whore government cNniined
Itself to the protection Of life and prop
brty and allowed the citizen TO pursue
that course which, In his judgment,
best tended TO promote his prosperity
and happiness. Governmental inter-
ference in the business affairs Of the
citizen has always marked the begin
ming Of the end OF Republican institu-
lions. IL was so in Greece, IT. was so In
Rome, and will DO 80 until tho end Of
time.
When men arc not satisfied with
being protected IN life and property,
but insist that tho government owes
them a living, and that others must be
taxed for their support, they are un-
worthy OF being free men.
The curse OF Republican government
is the demngogue. He appeals to the
passions and preiudices OF men and not
10 their patriotism and love OF liberty.
He arrays class against class; section
4
unfortunate happen 20 be- ia the major
lily he seeks 10 array them against their
more fortunate fellow citizens, and
tries 10 convince them that all inequal-
tiles OF fortune are due 10 the par
TALLY and fayoritism Of government.
have heard demagOgues in Texas
Tor the last twenty-five years, howl
about class Legislation, which favored
The rich man and oppressed tho poor
man. No one can show a single line
Of law upon tho statute books Of Texas
which favors the rich man or discrimi-
mates against tho poor man. In demo-
cratic governments whore majority OF
the people have SO lost their self-re-
bpect Us TO insist that tho minority
SHOULD ne TAXED
lor their maintenance and support.
,lvil liberty is at an end. The tyranny
and despotlsm Of one man is preferred
to the tyranny andudespotism Of the
mob.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. mankind. from
these causes, have found republican
governments TO be failure. and prefer
monarchies, which, while they Impose
burdens, have the strength and the
power TO give corresponding protection.
The numerous mobs that have ap-
poared In all sections OF tho country.
within the last few years.
the frequency with which mill.
lary force has been resorted
70, 10 protect life and property; tho
lessening respect among the people for
law, and for tho decisions OF courts. All
show that we have fallen among evil
times, aud no one can tell what the
end will be.
The country is full OF politicians
oil the type OF our governor, who
never open their mouths except TO
appeal to ignorance and prejudice, and
70 array moor against capital; the poor
against the rich: the country against
tho town. They don't care II this courge
stops the building Of railroads: coniis-
Gates property, and drives capital and
enterprise TO less hostile fields. IL is
oiiice they want and they don't care
how they got II.
have no pocuniary interest In rail.
roads aud feel no interest In them be-
Yond desire TO see Justice and lair
treatment In "a country as largo ms
ours, without navigahe river, trans
portaucn facilities arr le OF the neces-
stiles Of modern civilization. There
arc Tut two ways TO acquire try sporta-
tion facilities; one Is Tor the govern
ment to acquire and maintain them by
laNailon' and the other IS to allow |
private capital to own and mar tain
Them. Private capital Will not be- In
vested in transportation facilities unless
the money so placed Is rs we'll pro
sected by law, aud IS as go no as means
Invested in the other necessary indus
Tries Of tho country.
Every unnecessary burden placed
upon those WHO seek to furnish trims |
3ortation lati'i les, aud
EvEF UNJUST CLAIM
which they are required TO pay, will Ill |
.imatcly Increase tho cost Of carriage,
or every business, after paying all ex- |
peusos, must yield q reasonable return