The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-23


| In these days of Misrepresentation and
false pretenses it is we'll to recur to
this history of the services of the
party to the people, that its author
| lied declarations may be kept in view.
The cardinal principles of democracy
are embodied in the very nature
and existence of American institu.
! tons. The great party OF
which we belong is as imperishable as
| American freedom. In the decara'
ton of American independence it is
given us in no uncertain tones; it
electrified the world, it proclaimed
/ a new birth of freedom, it inspired
first hope in the three millions strug
Cling against despotism, it struck ter
ror to the hearts of those foreign ma
tioLs of Europe which they had never
felt before even in the shock of battle.
| The great Democratic party estab>
structed about it bulwark that has
every land. | cannot stop to recount
half a century Its administra-
maintaing liberty, equality and justice
/
principles. We feel proud of it, it
gave us Louisiana, it gave us the free
dom of the navigation of great rivers,
it gave us the Northwest, it gave US U,
Mississippi valley, it gave us Cali
fornia and the Pacific coast with their
wealth of silver and gold, and, fellow
citizens, it gave us imperial Texas
brought into republic.by statesmen
wise enough to be founders Of an en-
pire, and by soldiers, brethren, to the
glory of the Spartan. Though wrecked
in twain, our great party survived the
bloodiest revolution in the history OF
the country, and when the great con
| flict was over and the flowers of
another spring were budding from the
dust of Southern banner the
Democratic party began anew its bat.
tie against tyranny and misgovern
ment. During all the intervening
years it has maintained the contest
and Joined hands with the great mass
of people il every conflict. Why in
Texas in the disorders and cruelties of
reconstruction it strangled and tore
down the insurpation Of the Repub.
lican party; it overthrow the army of
plunderous in every state of the South
and drove from the Union itself the
spectre and shadow of a Caesar. With
these landmarks of constitutional gov"
ernmen+ re,established, the great
party would turn to other fields for
the PATRIOTISM of the people. Among
its HIGHEST achievements it would pre-
serve tbe constitution in its purity
and it's strength; it would teach
and practice economy in government
it would foster education and contno'
ute to the enlightenment ana eleVa-
ton of the people; it would destroy
class legislation and trusts and monop'
DIV; it would confine public federal au e
thority TO the protection OF Alte' no =
erty and prosperity without VeXatlous
interference with personal conducG OF
the private business affairs OF tne peo-
pie; it would limit taxation to the ne
cessities of the government, ana TO-DAY
it is the only party that stands IN the
path of the tax gatherer and declares
to him that, beyOnds the needs OF an
honest administration, no tribute shall
be levied upon the people; 1t would
entrench itself behind the doctrines OF
local self-government as the founda+
ton of our liberties and would resist
the encroachments of federal power
upon it as the most dangerous enemy
now employed in the overthrow OF the
country.
TO meet the commanding and in
creasing necessities of the nation it
would provide an adequate volume of
sound money consisting of gold and
silver, and paper bottomed upon coin
with equal debt paying and equal
purchasing power. While the declar.
alton of principles upon this question
s not az specific as some would have
had it, yet the platform is broad and
catholic enough for every Democrat in
Texas to stand upon, and while
there may be differences in our ranks
upon some of these questions every
Democrat in Texas understands that
in nv Judgment the parity and equal
purchasing power of silver and gold
msy be maintained under present ex-
ing laws in the United States.
Leaning, gentlemen of the convens
ton, upon these organic principles,
and feeling a profound interest in the
continual success of the Democratic
party ss the best hope of free gov.
eminent, it is gratifying to know that
all dissensions in the ranks of true
Democracy in Texas are at an end in
the coming contest.
Putting behind us all differences of
the past and looking only to our pres
ent duty, we will present to the
enemy an unbroken line of battle and
our forces, risen throughout the state
with renewed energy and enthusi-
asm, will bear ia to renewed victory
in November. If that shall be 40, if
your choice shall be ratified, if shall
be called to be chief magistrate of this
state by the suffrsges of my fellow
citizens, 1 W II endeavor to administer
that high trust faithfully and eff.
GENTLY and without any other higher
trust in view than to advance the
prosp rity and happiness of the
people of this great state. Again 1
thank you for the distinguished honor
you have done me.
When Mr.. CulbersOn had finished
speaking the convention then ad
journed until 2:30 O'Clock this after.
noon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At $50 p. ID. Chairman Handy
raped the convention to order. Az
Honn ooyooa 1nof tho