San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-09-02
IT Is NOW Or NEVER.

| 1T IS NOW OR NEVER.
The time has come for the republi'
cans In this state to assert themselves
If 1t has not then il is safe. to say that
1t will never come. II under existing
circumstances the party In this stale
shows the white feather it is no long
er worthy the name of republican. 1t
! is not the record OF the party that it
has been afraid OF being found in the
minority, when it was certain that
was right. The reps olican party In
this campaign stands for certain
recognized principles that are direct
ly antagonized by the platforms of all
the other parties in the state. TIC
refuse to assert those principles, and
consent to stand as the supporters of
some other candidate at the polls,
who stands upon q platform every
way antagonistic to ours, is to sell
our party birthright, and there are
thousands of repu blicans in this state
who will not consent to their own
political disgrace in this way. Re-
publicanism is more than a name. 1t
is a principle, and as such allegiance
to principle demands that we as re-
publlcans stand to our colOrs. We
are only one column of the great re-
pu 6lIcsn army that has taken the
field this campaign, and it is our
business to hold our position until
the battle is over, aud not to desert
in the face of the enemy. We are to
consider the effect of our conduct as
part of the army upon the whole force,
and If We lay down our guns without
striking blow or even waiting for
the charge of the enemy we will be
branded with cowardice and judged
unfit to be enrolled with the great re-
publican host. II victory perch on
the party banners this year, as we
confidently expect, we want to be in
condition to participate in the jubils.
ton, and this we cannot do If we
desert our colors now. It is true we
occupy mere outpost, and can con-
tribute little or nothing to the: great
victory, but we can hold our own fort,
and be ready to accept what
recruits offer as well as cut off
some of the: enemy. stragglers. Be-
cause we are weak 1t is not necessary
that we add to .our weakness
cowardice. Let the republican par
party every where see that we are
staunch defenders of the platform
aud declarations of the national con-
vention; that here on the border we
are one in heart and soul and grit and
true republican feeling with the rest
of the party. There is fighting to do
all along the line and If we act we'll
our part it will be all the honor that
we can ask, all the service that is re-
quired at our hand. Let us put
ticket in the field at Fort Worth that
will command the respect of the state.
Let us challenge the support OF every
epublioan, and of every protectionist
democrat on that ticket. Let us thor
oughly organize our party, making
such friends in local combinations as
circumstances shall favor and wisdom
suggest, and we will not be far behind
when the winner crosses the wire.
There is more honor in unfolding the
party banner and fighting Loyalty I'M
der it's folds, even if we suffer defeat.
than in deserving our posts and af-
fording aid and comfort to the common
enemy.
GROVER shows q decided inclins-
ton to hedge on free trade, but the