The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-24

There Is enough of chlvary in the breast
OF men to uncover before an audacty that
proceeds from courage and conviction and
Il disregard for personal consequence in
the pursuit OF conviction. When Bailey
declined to draw pay for services as a
representative not rendered, when he de-
clined to dine with party of friends
because he did not choose to dress in full
dress. as was their custom. and to mar
their pleasure by non conformity; when
he chose to wear his hair and vest ac-
cordine to his wish, and stand censure
for his taste; when he resigned his nomi-
nation for congress, for reasons that sat
istied his brain and heart but not MS con-
stituents, when he attacked Wheelers
situation and citadel as fortified by civil
and military positions, and strengthened
by record in both, together with spotess
integrity and unilaggnS enthusiasm for
his civil and military achievements; when
he resigns his leadership OF the greatest
political party that ever rose. reEned or
fell In this country, for disinterested
reasons; he Is as audacous as when EN-
met defed Great Britain for the liberties
of Ireland, as when Henry thundercd de-
nunciation of oppression amidst the Kisses
of treason, as when Toomhs swore he
would call the roll of his slaves at the
base of Bunker Hill; but in each instance
IL is a question for consideration whether
judgment accompanies nudaclty. 1t Is a
quality that wins place and power among
men, because It fascinates, II 1t has solid
abilities to urge II or to entrench itself
behind. Bailey has this quality in super
latlvo degree.
1t was long time after Bailey entered
upon public notice before his fellow cti-
zens could look below the surface to the
man. | think no man, save Governor
Hogg has been so much discussed and
ridiculed: and +thlnk no man has been so
much admired when at last he is undor-
stood for what he Is, and for not what he
appears. of all Texans. Loyalty to friends
Is his noblest virtue. rs faith in self
amounting to cGotism and an advocacy OF
principle merging ON intolerance of others,
are his faults, When, In 1894, 1 spent
three months in Washington City, | heard
Speaker Crisp remark that his reason for
placing Bailey of Texas as chairman Of
the subcommittee on Judiciary. when Gull
bcrson OF the same State was its chairman,
an honor never before conferred on any
state (for upon a period of several years
that committee is the most important In
tho housed. was that Bailey was the pros
foundest thinker of the younger genera
ton; and remarks of admiration from his
associates on both sides were as numerous
as expressions. He was even then senslbly
regarded MS the ahlest DICTATOR In the house.
which held Breckenridge, Bryan. Cochran
and Sibley. Since then his fame has
steadily grown. and mems doubts whether
he should be only brilliant experiment
have changed to conviction that he is a
serious problem TO be met with respect for
ability, adherence for conviction. devotion
for fidelity and following for safety.
heard Ingersoll, who has been great as
an orator, but the fire had died and only
the clnders remained The lack of depth,
the splendor of fancy, the hrIlliancy of
wit. the show of learning the splendid
presence, the music of voice. but the lack
OF spirit-these were apparent. / heard
Taylor of Tennessee, and 1T was Robert
Burns in prose-it was Moore's fancy,
Clay's patriotism, Curran's voice, Shell
ly's fancy; It as the song OF the glorious
nightingale when the fun moon swan ia
eloudless splendor over hill and dale.
heard Wendlng it was the thought Of
the set clergyman. but soul like thunder
in the Rockies; 1t appealed to ME like the
gulf In terror; 1t was power applied 10
conviction. I heard Cochran: Il was a
Volcano that did not convince, but car
rind aVarvfhipv hafNra a. have nffau