Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-06-17
FOR CONGRESSMAN AT LARGE
frank !. Roche, Texas Editor and
confederate Veteran, a candidate.

georgetown. Texas. June 6, 1912.
To The Democrats of Texas.
"hen the bill to make an appro-
prition for the celebration Of the
oVth anniversary of the battle Of
oo''Ssours came up in the U. S.
a few weeks ago the pa
pers stated that an ardent speech in
us FAVOR was made by Representa-
tive Lamp of Virginia, the only Con-
ieuerate soldier, in the house. Not
man years ago there were a number
OF such soldiers in congress. but now
there is only one. This brings for
clpiy 10 mind how rapidly 1.-THE thin
l&rey line is vanishing. The alb
sehce OF the Confederate soldier is
noticeable not only in congress-. but
also in the state legislature and Of
fees.
rake Texas for example. Neither
OF our United States senators and
not n of our sixteen representa-
yves was a Confederate soldier.
None OF u elective officers and not
one OF the candidates for a state Of
nee was a Confederate soldier. Very
rev OF them are found in the legis-
lature and hey have almost disap-
ptared from. the state departments.
Why is this? Is it because they are
all too old and decrepit for efficient
service! Not SO, for many of them
are as capable for. hard mental work
n OF attention to official details as
they ever were. 1t is because
they are too modest to push their
claims and have been thrust aside
IN the rush of younger men for office.
The politician and Office seekers in
Texas never tire of eulogizing the
Confederate soldier, they excl his
martial deeds, praise his valor. tell
OF his sufferings and sacrifices and
profess undying devotion to him and
tsre principles he fought to uphold.
propose to put them to test. | o.
fer myself as a candidate for con
gresham at large and ask their
votes and influence. Under the cir
cumstances a brief personal state
ment may be pardoned.
am a native Of virginia. S.
years old. Thirty-eight of these
years have spent in Texas, con-
s%equently | have lived in this state
the greater part Of my life. At the
age of IL years ! left school and vol
llteered from my native state in
the Confederate army, serving in the
division of McLaws and Pickett in
Longstreets corps of the Army Of
lNorthern Virginia commanded by
General Robert f.. Lee. AS a boy
soldier Of that historic army par
~ticipated in its marches and battles
o rIIeaTly four years until | fell with
a wound hat caused the amputation
Of my right leg. Near the close of
the war | was made a prisoner, but
was released on a parole, which |
retain to this day and prize as a relic
of those stirring times. For nearly
AS years | have walked with the
aid of a crutch, the perpetual re-
m. nder Of the terrible conflict in
which the South lost all save honor,
yet | have never repined, but, as SO
many of my comrades have done,
have supported myself and family by
my own exertions, neither seeking
nor wanting aid from anyone |
have taught school, studied law, but
never practiced ii, been a newspaper
reporter, writer and correspondent,
I clerked in the state land office, and
for the past Is years have been own
err and editor OF a country newspa-
4 per- the Williamson County Sun pub
lished at Georgetown, Texas. In its
principles and fought for the nomi-
nees of the party, carrying at its
masthead the names OF its candi-
dates and striving for their election.
NV u. G.. V. record Is as follows:
was one of the original members
SDf John b. Hood Camp Of Austin,
lone 5f its early commanders. COM
Fmander of the camp in Georgetown
I several years. three years president
of the Williamson county Conieder-
ate association, commander of the
Third Brigade four years and Of the
Texas Division several months, sue
ceeding Gen. X. NJ. Van Zand when
he was elected to the command Of
the Trans-M ississippi department.
Had | sought the position, | could
have been elected division command
or without opposition. I'M now a
member of the staff of General Van
Zandt. to whom ! confiden ly refer
..ah a. want TO know more OF me