The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-26

AUSTIN statesman,
There is an intimation from Dallas tina
Mr.. Bailey's fight ON General Joe Wheeler /
going to hurt him with the ex-Confcdcrates II
the senatorial race. II Is not denied that Mr.
Bailey was right from a strict constructions
standpoint, but there is behind the cnnstitu
tional phase question of sentiment which at
taches to the hero who distinguished himscl
IN two wars. in fighting against and ightiui
for the stars and Stripes.-San Antonio EX
press.
BY what route comes this Dallas init
nation that Mr.. Balley's fight on General
Joe Wheeler is going to hurt him with tho
cX-Confederates In the senatorial race?'
Has the Sir Oracle" of the Express con
suited an opposition bureau OF mislnforma-
ton. domiclled in Dallas with intent to
arouse public prejudice against Mr.. Bailey
as 1t did few days ago an opposition
bureau established in Washington for the
dissemination Of gross untruths about Mr..
VIM. j. Bryan? But whether il has or has
not and whether its intimatlon be without
warrant of fact or not. il moi pertinent to
our present purpose From "the stand
point of strict construction" the Express
admits that Mr.. Bailey was right. What
good citizen has the hardihood TO confess
that his opposition to a candidate for posi-
AANA - PifblNaAtl upon lit tNtlNSlNt
ground that as a public servant he stood
by the literal letter and the absolute spir-
| 1t of the organic law of the land? When
the American shall come to rebuke with
his ballot the public servant whose OFF,
cial acts are guided by the constitution
the downfall OF the republic is a. hand
M sentiment" can attach to General Joe
Wheeler that can overwhem This immor-
tai truth. This government is not thing
OF unsubstantial emotion or of adolesrent
sentiment, but an Incompatible fabric that
VIII stand a glorious monument 10 the
wisdom and courage of its founders so
long as the free born American who on
Joys It's guarantees and benefuctions, shall
stand by the constitution upon which 1t Is
established. General Wheeler can claim
with justice much from his countrymen
Of the South, In whose cause his chiyal-
rous blade was drawn during the tragic
days of the initial sixties, but were he
thrieo the hero in civil battle that he was
he could not in good conscience ask To
serve his Nation in the double pay and
capacity OF law maker and officer of the
army. II an official in Texas should dun
licatc General Wheeler's indefensible
course he would be destroyed at the ballot
box Least of all should great soldier
take advantage OF the idolatry of his peo-
Pic 70 MI his purse with the money Of the
over -burdened taxpayers in fragrant dlsre-
gard OF the plain and unmlstakable pro-
vision OF the constitution. To permit so
gross an offense against a fundamental
principle OF organic law would establish n
precedent so hurtful in time as to destroy
me foundation OF the republic. III Mr..
Baileysshall commit no greater offense IN
the service OF his State and Nation than
70 choose against worship of General
zee wheeler, the worship OF the constItu-
ton. he Is In no danger OF punishment at
the hands OF his constituency To opnose
a man because he stands for the strict
construction of great instrument, with
OUT which the republic can not endure. IA
10 accord him rare distinction In a coun-
Try OF constitutional government while to
oppose him for the courageous deed no has
Oeen honest and true enough to do. out OF
regard for single Individual
however heroic his services In times of
war, is to confess that individual greater
nan the constitution and entitled 10 prior
~ or consideration over the case OF re-
publican government The stalwart Amer
can voter is willing to give unto Caesar
he things that are Caesars. but he IL not |
Wiling to bend the imbecile knee of the
blind idolator 10 any man, though he
'arved with thousand swords thousand
ways to military prestige. at the sacrifice
y the constitution or his Countrywide |
meet anchor OF the republic.