The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-08-29

While they differ with him, they respect
and honor him. His long and faithful
service and unquestioned sincerity chal-
lenges their admiration, and they say he
has never coQuetted with them or deceived
them. 1t seem to me he could win in any
such contingency without a doubt.
There is an old tradition in Texas
political history that it is not inappropri-,
ate to make mention of in this connection.
Long years ago the Democratic party
beat old Sam Houston for governor of
Texas with Dick Runnels. Two years
thereafter, when the people had reflected
and realized what they had done, they
cried out with mighty voice for the old
hero of San Jacinto to make the race for
governor. Aud the demand was ire,
sistabel, and with unanimity unparal-,
leled they swept him into the executive
office of the State he had helped to create.
History repeats itself, and Judge Rea-.
gan may find himself borne upon such a
wave of popular demand as he can not
resist or stay. He must have had some
premonition of it at the Fort Worth silver
convention, where his name e.icited such
storm of applause and all heads stood
uncovered in his venerable presence.
The people are prone to turn to old,
tried and trusted leaders in times of
great political and party strife, and it
protestatiOns as are being provoked
from Judge Reagan to keep him out Of
the race anyhow. But should the con-
tingency arise of which have spoken,
he is the logical candidate for the free
silver Democrats-the men who cam COM
pei victory. The party cannot afford to
suffer defeat because of a sentiment of
the grand cd Roman, however much it
would desire to respect his wishes. He
yet belongs to his country, and may yet
save his party from defeat. l do not be-
lieve Judge Reagan or any other man
could refuse to lead his party when the
concentrated wisdom of the party should
believe it necessary for success.
Now. let it not be said that I am
against Culberson. The facts will not
warrant such a charge. When Judge
Reagan withdrew from the race at Dali
las. it will be remembered that seconded
the nomination of Culberson, and almost
all of the Reagan delegates voted for him,
which made his nomination certain. Dur
ing the campaign after his nomination l
made sDeeches for him and have never
criticized his administration. have never
asked nor expected anything from him, so
am not disgruntled. But because l hold
party success above the ambition of men,
and believing there is q disposition to
gard TO the exigencies which might mean
defeat. I desire to admonish all Demo
Gratis who value the success of principles
rather than. men, not to cummit them
selves to the candidacy of any man so
early in the contest. For the sake of our
party let's keep its principles above men.
can consistently say that should we be
able to prevent party dscord Mr.. Gull
berson should have the second term; but
should discord come, we should be for
success without regard to men or party
precedents. I for one shall keep un-
tramme,ed from promises that I may feel
free to act for party success. / am sorry
to see personal ambitions of men coming
so early to. the front, which can do no
possible good to the cause and can DO
much harm. For one time let's work first
for principles and then for men. Let's
make men save the party, and not the
party men. In times like these we should
think and act with an eye single to the
promotion of the party's prestige in
Texas. The man who can unite all fac
lions or who can in the Judgment of the
party come nearest to such results should
be our standard bearer. Who better than
the grand old man cam do this? Let the
minds and hearts of the Democratic peo-
pie of Texas answer"