Year: 1877

SENATOR RICHARD COKE, or TEXAS


The name which appears at the head
Of this article is one for which the peo-
pie Of Texs, have conceived a strong
partiality Mr.. Coke, at the commence
ment of the war was an unobtrusiye.
hard-working young lawyer OF sister
town, known only as a clcar-headed.
strong.hearted and painstaking attor.
ney, but one who possessed the esteem
and confidence of every enc who came
in contact with him. When the war
commenced, he entered the army as the
captain Of brave company Of the
citi6en-soidiery OF the State, and being
totally without military ambition. he
was content 20 work on. until the mo
mcntous struggle was decided, in the
humble capacity in which we first find
him. Possessed of a mind of oxtraor-
dinary grasp and strength, it would
have been strange, indeed, had he been
permitted to remain long in obscurity.
Soon he was called to the Judicial
bench whore fresh laurel- awaited h,m.
Lawyers and statesmen kept an eye on
hun, as one who would surely go up
head whenever the opportunity was
presented.


In 1873 he received the unanimous
nomination Of the great Democratic
party of Texas for governor, and was
triumphantly elected Since then his
name, fortune and person have all be
come the public property of the State
and from that good day to this no hon
est Texan hs. ever had cause to blush
for any public or private act of Richard
Coke. Proudly renosinated, aud tri-
umphantiy reelected last year to the
gubernatorial office, the people all over
the State accepted the circumstance as
an indication that the usual political
promotion was TO follow. 1t did follow,
and now Texas has present in the
United States Senate one Of the abiest
and purest men in that distinguished
body.


Immense efforts we're made during
his two gubernatorial terms to besmireh
him. He was charged with every crime.
both Of omission and commission and the
charges were urged with all the energy
and persistence of veteran animosity
But behold the result Not one single
stain attaches to his fair fame. Not one
fatal, nay even venial mistake. or dere-
LECTION, has ever been fastened upon
him. The people of the State have
learned TO repOse in him the utmost
confidence. and in this both the iudg-
ment and the honor Of the man are in.
cluded. Tn. editor Of TuE HERALD has
known the subject of this article long
and intimately; has lived among the old
neighbors and early friends Of Governor
Coke, and can say ia truth that no honest
man or woman in all the number who
know him best, but loves the man and
respects his purity and worth. A few
such characters in public life are sufii.
cient to give our young western com
monwealth a proud distinction in the
councils Of the nation No true Texan
need ever fear that Richard Coke will
dishonor the fair name of his State,
but on the other hand, he may rest
secure that honor and every other in
terest will be carefully guarded by this


rue representative Of the people.


We predict for him career in the


United States Senate honorable alike
for hiraself and the true-hearted people
who lifted him to his present proud
position, We are well aware that these
are novel sentiments for the columns
of this paper, which under its former
management was to some extent ininli-
cal to Governor Coke. The present
editor feels himself untrammeled To
such an extent that his honest senti-
ments about men aud measures may be
safely urged through the paper, They
will be honest, because not all the money
or hostile strength of the State can pro.
cure the expression Of any other senti-
ments. Until Senator Coke forfeits the
public esteem by some unworthy act,
TnE HERALD will uphold him and
strengthen his hands, because this sort
of support but increases his usefulness
to the people he represents.