Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-03
HAM GOSSETT ON REAGAN.
THE LIFE AND runLto woniS or
THE OLD ooMmoNER.
why tho Kaufman Statesman De-
cihes 10 support Judge REAGAN
for Governor of rcsas--Tried
aud Found Not WANTING.



TO who he favors for governor, Mr..
Gossc,i saidi
am supporting judge Reagan.
Kaufman is the county OF his nrst
Texas homestead and among her alb
siracts Of land title is the Jno, II. |
Reagan hoad-right OF a2n acres. For |
nfty years In Texas his life and pub
Ito record have been as a beacon liRht |
rejecting to patriotic Democrats the
path OF duty, lie comes down TO us
from another generation, combining
the statemanship, patriotism and chiv-
airy Of the old South, with the vigor,
enterprise and progress OF the new.
The call upon this grand old man 10
be governor is without precedent IN
modern politics, This demand Ia not
because OF a lack OF merit on the part
OF the other estimable gentlemen who
are candidates. but because In the
confidence and affections OF the people
Judge Reagan stands pre-eminent and
without rival. As surveyor, az cap
tain OF the militia, protecting the Tex
MS frontier, as county judge. as district
Judge MS member of congress before
the war. as postmaster-gcnera OF the
Confederate states. as member OF
the constitutional convention. as
member OF congress In both the lower
house and the senate MS chairman OF
the Texas railroad commission IN all
these positions he has distinguished
himself by a faithful discharge OF
every duty. or nll tho great mon
whom the Southwest haa produced
two should he written down In history
as prophetic statesmen. These arc
Sam Houston and Jno. II, Reagan.
In April 1866. whom the Confederate
states government by the fortunes OF
war, had ceased TO be. and when other
members OF Joffcrsoin Davis cabinet
had deserted their chief. John II. Rea-
gan, though offered passport and
escort to his family and home In Tex
as, suid No. have been Jeff. Davis
friend In the days Of his prosperity;
/ viii not desert him now in his advei-
| slty, and he was rewarded for his 10y
atty by years Imprisonment at Fort
'Nyumen, Hostoh nirbor
While in prison ON the 2sth OF May
1866 hewroto letter to President
johnson, reviewing the causes which
led TO the war, and boldly defending
the South against tho charge Of trca-
s,n and advising course, which for
the most pnrt Mr.. johnson adopted,
aud which but for the obstruction OF
bitter partlzan and sectional congress
would have restored the South 10 the
blessings OF loca self government
within a year after Lec's surrender.
From the same prison a few months
later. he addressed an open letter TO the
people OF Texas. advising thom 70
| recognize tho Hupromo authority OF the
government OF the United states, with
In the sphere OF It's powers. and 10
right 10 protect itself against disinte-
grafton by tho secession OF the statoai
TO recognise the abolition OF slavery
and the right OF those who have been
slayes 10 the privileges % protection OF
the laws OF the land. "'l'rom what
can See" said Judge Reagan. this
much viii be required rs the least
that would likely satisfy the goyern-
ment and the admission OF your mem
bers into the congress- OF tho United
states"
This famous Fort Warren letter read
I'm the light OF tho years OF military
government and carpetbag rule In
Texas. which WAS scarcely less humil-
inting and costly than the war proves
Judge Reagan not only a statesman
possessing the wisdom OF prophecy
but : man OF courage. who dared 30
advino his people TO adopt q policy
which their education. preludloea ana
passions rendered exceedingly unpop-
ulnr. Judge Reagan, In his open let
ter said; "Thc only wise and nRfe
course for you 70 pursue is 10 aoorpt
promptly. unreaervedly, and In sod
faith. the terms and policy offered,
and 10 20 forward In the work OF rcor-
ganlgation and restoration TO the
union. This requires your assent 20
great pcouniary sacrifices, momen,oun
changes In your naclal and Industrial
rystom, and a surrender o. your opin-
ions and preJudioes on most impor-
that questiona. II N humbling TO our
reif-esieem, humiiiRting 10 our pride,
and cannot be morp unweleome TO you
than Il Is painful 70 mo to feel that
duty requires me 20 give and you TO no.
cept this advice II Is not that sort OF
advice when persons sometimes give
but do not accept for themselves. IL
IN for me and mine as well as for you
and yours" .. III the state Will
adopt this policy at once It Will at
tain the great ends hcretofora mia
Toned. and Il VIII save lta own people
from years Of painful strife ana szi-
tation on these questions, which would
At last. probably after years OF con-
tenuon. be found tho only means OF
bringing It 10 an end. even II Il LED 20
nothing worse. How Infinitely better
Il VIII be for you, for both races for
tho present and future. Tor the whole
country. II you Will unheaita'inEly
recognize the existing unaltcranlc
facts as TO your condition, ana tho In
eyitahie logic OF events. ard hasten "a
I, u your power to DO. the return OF
| the hIexslunp ~ ciyll government aud