The weekly democratic statesman. [volume], August 31, 1871, Image 2

About The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883

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THE STATESMAN.
-Partnsi hi p NMkf.
The undersigned have formed a co-partnership,
to be known as the Statesman Pi-bush-
ino Comi'asy, for the pnrpose of publishing
a paper in Austin, Texas, to be called the
"DEMOCRATIC STATESMAN," anil trans
act Fuch bu.-ineB a lxMongs to a publishing
company.
ANTnONY PEFFKSBAUr.ri,
JOHN 8. McKWK.N,
KRKDKTT C. MUIIRAY.
" ' - " CHARLES H. DEFFKNTAUfiH,
Acstix, Jalj SO, 1871. , .,
' " FOR CONGRESS".
F0TJRTII DISTRICT.
HON. JOHN HANCOCK,
Of Travis County.
FIRST DISTRICT.
HON. W. S. HKRNDON,
Of Smith County.
SECOKD DISTBICT. '
nOX. JOHN C. CONNER,
Of Grayson County.
THIRD DISTRICT.
HON. D. C. GIDDISGS,
Of Washington County.
ELECTION October 3d, 4th, 5th and Gtb.
AUSTIN.
THURSDAY AUGUST 31, 1871
There are some w ho deem
to be famed for bad deeds
have fame at alL
it better
than not
Tax-Payers' Meeting.
The Tax-Payers' meeting next Sat
urday, in this city, will be addressed
by Governors E. M. Pease and A. J.
Hamilton, and others.
Remember, if you are wortb but one
hundred dollars, two dollars and twen
ty-five cents of it is taxed away from
you bv the present Legislature. Ee-
member this, and register; remember
this, and vote.
We see that the Steamship City of
Houston, in a recent storm off the
coast of Florida, came very near being
lost. Some of our merchants are inter
ested the vessel is safe, but at one
time there was three feet of water in
the hold.
The Jonahs of Radicalism are all
being cast overboard. Julius Sehutze
is disowned by .the honest Germans of
Galveston ; Clark by all well-meaning
Republicans ; and even Baron Degener
is cast, body and breeches, into the
Radical cesspool, and old Comal pro
uounccs against him.
It is not best to always dispise
little things. A great ting was once
healed from a terrible plague through
the information gleaned from the prat
tling of a. captive child. So'wc may
learn and profit by the prattling of
Newcomb that he will count tite
democrats out ! It will do to walcb.
Oar thanks are due to Hon. G. R.
Shannon for a large list of subscribers
from Johnson and Tarrant tountios.
In forwarding the list, the Colonel
says : "Our district will go over
whelmingly for Conner, and I hope
yours will do as - well for Hancock
The-political atmosphere of the county
is improving generally.
"It ia hot and dry. Crops in this
section light."
Foster, of the Georgetown Watch
man. District Printer, Supervisor of
Public Instruction of the 32d Judical
District, and high-cock-a-lorum of the
negro league of Williamson county,
while on duty at Llano in his official
capacity during the past week, was so
drunk that it was a common remark,
and his drinking and association with
negroes was disgusting in the extreme.
District Attorney Vaughn, of the 32d
Judicial District, during the recent
term of court in Llano county, was so
drunk as to be unable to draw up in
dictments or attend to his usual duties
rri. l l.-i f a !. HMnn
Alio cuuib, uub 1UL uiu niauu juij,
would have closed its labors on Satur
day and adjourned, while theprobabili
ty was, that some one of the lawyers
present would have to be appointed to
attend to the duties of the District At
torney in order to close up the bust
ness of the court.
The Gerniaus ot Galveston organ
ized a club on the 19lh instant, with
eirrhtv names enrolled. They call it
the Independent Peoples' Club, and
have adopted resolutions condemning
the odious and ruinous measures of
w auvib-a lacy-vuit. iiuuuuitstianuu,
lij. rk rn t i- .3
recommending an organized effort to
oust them from power, and then a re-
turn to an honest and efficient admin
istratiou of the Government. The
Houston Telegraph remarks of it
"Thus tho people arc moving all over
the State, and it beWkens the early
downfall of the corruptionists."
Counting the Democrats Out.
The dis-IIonorable James Newcomb
is presented us in a new light. The
latest is his assertion that ''the Demo
crats might out vote thcin, but as tie
HAD TITE COVNTING th?S time, llC WOuld
be very foolish to let that go
WRONG."
We hac no doubt the thing will be
tried, for nothing seems too mean, no
work too dirty for those iu power. It
therefore remains with you, Democrats,
to REGISTER and VOTE, and see
if they will dare execute mis
THREAT.
We chcerlully yield much ot our
space to the proceedings of tho citi
zens meeting of Travis, on Saturday
last, 2Cth inst. The subject of the do
liberations of the people on the occa
sion referred to, is of the deepest im
portance to all the people of tho State,
of all parlies and all nationarties.
The speeches of the able gentlemen
who addressed the meeting are given
in synopsis, as well as the conclusions
arrived at by the people present, as
preferable to any thing we could offer,
by way of commentand advise in a mat
ter at once so delicate and important.
Wc sincerely hope that sndi wise
counsel may prevail on the part of the
people of the State, as may avert,
at least in some degree, the crushing
blow to our civil institutions, which
seems to be threatened by the infatu
ated Davis-Alexander administration.
We can only advise moderatiou and
firmness.
Attention! Voters and Tax-
Payers.
Your attention is respectfully invit
ed to a few items of law, and of facts,
in all of which you are. deeply inter
ested. That a great wrong is being
done the people of Texas, there can be
no doubt,. To doubt it, wculd be the
exhibition of an imbecility of intel
lect; and perrefsity-of spirit, so great
as to shock the moral flense of all hon
est and candid men. ;
Heretofore yori have paid, by way
of taxes, to support vour State Govt
crnment, not less than four hundred
thousand dollars annually. Since a
new order of civilization has been in
troduced, and n new political element
has taken charge of public matters.
how stands the case f In this ever-to-be
remembered year, you are called
upon to pay between five and six mil
lions of dollars. Not only so, but ytur
general elections, heretofore, did not
cost you anything, or if anything, tho
amount was so small as to make no
impression; but now is it now i
The registration act of 1870, twenty-
seventh section, requires you to pay
twenty-five cents for the humble priv
ilege of expressing your political sen
timents Say' there are a hundred
thousand voters in the State, we then
have a small item of expense to the
people of twenty-five thousand dol
lars. - The thirty-ninth section of said
act, appropriates seven thousand dol
lars to defray the expenses of registra
tion, making thirty two thousand dol
lars. The twenty-ninth section pro
vides fcr the r paying the members of
the boards of appeals, etc., the sum of
five dollars a day.
This expense will amount to thous
ands. It is idle to suppose that seven
thousand dollars will meet it and other
expenses attending the process of regis
tration. Like the appropriations to
build a public edifice, that which was
said to be sufficient to complete, was
found to be only enough to lay the
foundation. We conclude, without in
dulging in the jpirit of extravagance,
this matter of registration will cost
the people not less than fifty thousand
dollars, which will pass Into the pock
ets of people who are not of you.
The thirty-fifth section of the elec
tion law provides that the Secretry of
State may employ as many clerks as
necessary, at five dollars a day, to com
pile returns, etc This item of ex
pense to the people, as well as the pay
of judges and clerks of elections, is
contingent and prospective ; and al
though we cannot come at the amount,
we may know by the experience of the
past in other' matters, it will be ex
tended and made to assume gigantic
proportions. '
The fifty-ninin section appropriates
ten thousand dollars to defray the
expenses of the election, but this is a
small matter. JVdd to it the other
expenses, and you will see that a gen
eral election will cost the people not
less than a hundred thousand dollars
Indeed, as our readers will see, Sena
tor Hamilton estimates that expense
at least twice as great, and ho ought
to be a good judge. Thus it seems,
on the score of economy in politics
and in general government, we are
degenerating with tho rapidity of a
sunbeam.
The twenty-second section of said
act provides
Sic. 22. That do district judge, police jus
tice or justice of the peace bo all interfere, by
writ of injunction, mandamus, or order of
court, to compel any judge of election to do
any act, or to prohibit him from doing any
act, in bis official capacity, relating in any
manner to the conduct of the election; pro
vided, that nothing in this section shall be so
construed as to exempt any judge of election
from a suit for damages, or prosecution for
violation ot the law in the conduct sf such
election.
This' section appears to be the nat
ural offspring of a certain act of Con
gress passed to forestall the Supreme
Court, and to. prevent it from taking
jurisdiction . of any matter, or thing
which might prove troublesome to
those in authority. According to this
section, the hands of one branch of the
Government are to be tied. This is
precisely what the New York Nation
calls "taking tne Dull by tne tail in
stead of the horns " The people have
always understood, that it was the
province of Judgea or courts to de-
claro what the law is; and to see that
the citizen is protected in his legal
rights. But here the Judges are told
in advance, they shall not declare the
law in time to protect the citizen
Again, if this section is to be enforced,
the judges of elections may commit all
kmus ot unlawful and fraudulent acts
to defeat the will of the people, aud to
advance the ends of party, and the
citizen is without a remedy. For it
seems no injunction or mandamus is
to issue; neither is the court permit
ted to make any order for the protec
tion of the citizen. Neither is the
peace loving (save the mark) police to
interfere. It is, however, provided in
substance, that after all tho wrong has
been done and fraud committed, the
will of the people defeated, aud party
interest advanced, the peson injured
may. have an action lor damages
against the judges of the election
This is cool indeed; when it is well
known that nineteen in every twenty
of those who will be appointed to the
positions are execution proof. The
ruling spiiits of the day have made
many and loud professions of their love
for freedom, law, order and peace. But
when contrasted with their acts, one is
forcibly reminded of the peculiar
characteristics of the cat aud the
tiger, which take great pleasure in
caressing their prey previous to devour
ing the victim.
Democratic Press of Texas.
We are just beginning to receive, in
exchange for the Democratic States
man, most of the Democratic journals
of the State, and to make ourselves
acquainted with their contents and gen
eral tone.
So far as we have yet had time to
read aud examine, these numerous
journals, we are able and happy to say
that we doubt if there is in any other
State, in proportion to numbers, great
er, if equal editorial ability. Certainly,
in no other State, and at no other
time, has there been uniformily .ex
hibited more, if as much, earnestness
and zeal in the cause of good govern
ment and political truth, as is now
displayed by the Democratic press of
Texas. - As citizens of this great new
State, we are justly proud of the abili
ty, zeal, elevated tone and perfect fair
ness of the Democratic prees of Texas.
That our people appreciate, maintain
and support such a periodical press, is
ti e highest possible evidence of their
intelligence and general enlighten
ment, and must be so ngarded abroad.
With such able coteinporarics, coadju
tors, assistants and guides, it will be
our fault if we fail to make the Demo
cratic Statesman useful to the people
and creditable to the party in whoso
interests it has been established and
is earnestly laboring.
With all pur editorial brethren we
sincerely desire to maintain the most
kindly relations, striving at all times
to profit by their wise suggestions, and
to imitate, as far as may be, their
earnestness, industry and ability, and
as it were, to catch and reflect to all
parts of the State, every flash and ray
of light emanating from them.
Fur Flying!
Iu the discussion which took place
between Hancock and Degener in San
intonio, we understand that Degener's
hair and hide were completely des
troyed. His wool was made to fly
promiscuously and his epidermis was
taken off so nicely as to leave him in a
perfectly raw state.
The Hon. Secretary of State, James
P. Newcomb, attempted to wag his
tongue to the assembled multitude,
but was summarily put down by a tor
rent of hisses, lie essayed twice to
speak, but each time was compelled,
by the jeers and scofls of the indig
nant multitude, to retiro ignoniiniously.
Ilovr the Money Goes.
His Excellency, E. J. Davis, orders
twenty policemen on duty in each of
the one hundred and thirty-five coun
ties, judges and clerks, registrars and
clerks, and publishes election notice,
election order and police order. Be
hold how one little election foots up :
One policeman 24 days, at $3 per day, $72
for 135 counties, at tne rale ot au lor eacn
county - $194,400
Registrars and their clerks, Judges
and their clerks, half this amount 97.200
Election notices, orders, etc., in five
dailies and thirty weeklies 10,400
Tolal C308.000
Nearly the whole expenses of the
State Government for one year under
Democratic administration !
Radical Retrogression.
The Radicals are repeating the char
acter that history furnishes of the
knights and barons of "William the
Red " or William Rufus than whom
of both kings and men many stood
fairer in history who were in truth far
worse. He (the king) interfered in
behalf of the conquered Saxons, whom,
as soon as they had become his people,
he had the absurdity to consider as in
some remote degree entitled to his
justice and protection ; while the great
barons, who had helped him to conquer
them and some did not regarded
them only as flocks to be fleeced or
money bags to be squeezed to the
utmost.
HANCOCK IN SAN ANTONIO
The Old Bexar Democracy
Great Outpouring of the Masses
Democracy Vindicated by Her
Champion !
Grfiat Enthusiam. and uavis
and Degner Below Par.
We have received a correspondence
from San Antonio, at an Lour too late
to put in type, that Hancock and Dege
ner met in the historic city or old
Bexar, and that Hancock like Cresar,
"Came, saw, conqured."
Hancock choose the point in which
his slanderers had stated that he in
sulted the Germans, to refute their
vile lies aud hold them up to the scorn
of the people they had sought to in
fluence.
His speech and rejoinder, held the
11 1 .3
immense audience spell oouna, save
when they broke into thundering ap
plause as the speaker denounced the
iuiquities of the Davis-Alexander Deg
ener government. Degener was com
pletely used up. His face showed that
he regretted ever having undertaken
the defense of the Davis administration
It is predicted that he will never meet
Hancock again. Poor Davis poor
Degcucr.
Hurrah for Hancock and Democracy
General Hamilton's Speech at
Galveston.
We see by the papers that Governor
Hamilton made an animated speech at
Galveston, at the conclusion of which
he said :
"I came here on private business.
I was asked to speak. My inclination
was not to do so ; but when I saw the
infamous election circular, and saw the
usurper, who ought to respect the office
he held, but does not, come down and
throw himself between two factions of
his party. in the cesspool of politics, I
determined to speak, and now, having
got the padlock off my mouth, I intend
to keep talking until the end of this
thing."
We are glad to see that Governor
Hamilton is. impressed with the mon
strous tyrauny of this threatened mili
tary force to control the ensuing elec
tion, as all other honest men are. In
a previous part of this speech he said :
"I do not know what other men are
going to uo. l ao not au vise you wnat
to do. but 1 say that on tne day ot
election I intend to go into Austin, and
will spend the day until sundown with
my friends where I choose, and let him
interfere with me if he dares. It is
not his business to inquire why I am
in the tawu, and, by the God that made
me. HE SHALL NOT INQUIRE
WHILE I LIVE I"
We have not deemed it at all ncccs
6ary to notice in detail the false and
abusive slang of the State Journal
towards Judge Hancock. The abuse
of that journal is to be expected, and
cannot possib'y injure the Democratic
candidate for Congress. Indeed, we do
believe that the reputation of that paper
is so low in the estimation of the voters
of Texas, that its praise would be
sufficient to create suspicion against
any man, and its abuse is prima facie
evidence of merit. This is believed to
be the estimation in which that journal
is generally held by the honest portion
of the people.
A friend and correspondent howev
er, hands us the following :
The State Journal vs. Hancock.
Editor of Democratic S'.atsunan.
"And the Journal has fastened on
the Judge tho charge of giving in
his taxable property at less than one
third its real value." State Journal
of. August 27.
From long experience, the people
of Texas have come to view every
assertion of a political nature found
in the Journal &sprima facie untrue;
and they are not a little amused at
the assumption of the Journal that
its assertion can discredit the affida
vit of Judge Hancock. This is not
less ridiculous than a like attempt a
few days since, by the same paper,
to rebut the testimony of Judge
Hancock and ex-Govcrnor ThrooU
morton by the testimony of a hired
pimp and spy, ycleped, Ilunnicut,
who, by his own testimony, fastens
the burning stamp of infamy on his
shameless brow! who, a sworn
policeman, aided the murderer of
John Eikel to escape ! and who, dis
regarding tho only recognized "law
among thieves" fidelity to each
other played fast and loose with
his pals, Davis, Newcomb, Tracy,
Quick & Co., till they dismissed him
from his position of Captain of Po
lice. With such witnesses they
would discredit Judge Hancock !
S.
Llano County Taxpayers Con
vention. At a mass meeting of the citizens
of Llano county, held in the town of
Llano, on the 23d of August, 1871,
tho following proceedings occurred :
Capt. 1 rank Brenzealo was called
to the chair, and William Ilaynie
elected secretary.
On motion, a committee was ap
pointed by the chair, to report reso
lutions expressive of the sentiments
of the people.
After a suitable time for prepara
tion, the following resolutions were
submitted and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Tbe people of Llano county
have been called npon to express their opin
ion of the enormous expenditures incurred,
and tbe heavy taxes imposed npon our citi
zens : and being already greatly impoverished
by the depredations of the Indians upon their
property, and feeling intensely tho burden of
taxation now imposed and likely to be con-
ti ,ued, to meet the extraordinary and extrav-
agaat sums of money to be expended, m
provided for by the legislation of the present
Legislature ; and being desirous of co-operating
in any movement for the relief of the
people in all parts of the State, therefore,
Resolved, 1. That we tend a delegation to
the Taxpayers Convention, to be held at
Austin on the 22d of September next.
2. That our delegates be and are instructed
to unite in our behalf, in any memorial or
other movement agreed upon by said con
vention looking to sucn relict trom our
burdens.
3. That unless the Legislature, upon re
assembling, shall be willing to direct nn early
elec'ion for a imc Legislature, so as to be
able to assemble at the regular time of mect-
ng in January, 1872, and shall inangurate
some measures for retrenchment of expendi
tures ana consequent reduction ot taxation,
we would protest against any other or further
legislation, and would regard a session save
for these purposes, as onorous upon the people
and wrong.
4. We again take occasion to urge upon
the State authorities the need of an efficient
frontier protection.
5. That tbe Secretary of this meeting be
requested to send a copy of these resolutions
to the Democratic Statesman, for publi
cation. Committee Geo. W. Miller, S. L. Dalton,
D. C. Cowan, James S. Bourland and John
M. Smith.
Dolegates elected to the Taxpayers Con
vention from Llano county: J. F. Oatman,
Esq., or Austin, Judge James S. Uourlurjd,
Capt.G. W. Miller and Capt. Frank Breazeale.
The meeting then adjourned sine die.
Fbanz Brkazealk, Chairman.
William Haynie, Secretary.
At another meeting of the Denioc-
racy the toiiowing resolutions were
adopted :
Resolved, 1. That we do approve of and
ratify the proceedings of the Democratic
State Convention at Austin in January last,
adopting its platform and measures, pledging
ourselves to forward the interest of the party
by all legal means in our power.
2. We accept tbe nomination of Judge
Hancock for Congress in this district 83 wise,
and we assute him and hia supporters else
where that we accord him our earnest and
hearty support, and that we purpose casting
for him our lull vote at the coming election.
3. That we, through our precinct com
mittees, will secure a full registration of
Democratic voters to the end that the like
full vote may be cast at the coming and at
all future elections.
4. That we have an abiding faith in tbe
will of the Democratic party to furnish the
frontier such efficient protection as will ren
der person and property safe as in other parts
of the State.
5. That in this great crisis of our 8 flairs
when financial ruin is threatening, and the first
principles of civil liberty seem to bo aAlnckod
by the partv or faction in power, we do
most cordially invite all good men to co-ope
rate with us in our efforts to secure the
country from those dangers.
C. That a copy of these resolutions be
tent to the Democratic Statismas for publi
cation. Gio. W. Miller, Chairman.
J. M. Moork, Secretary.
The following gentlemen compose the
Democratic Executive Committee of Llano
county : Geo. W. Miller, Chairman ; S. L.
Dalton, William Haynie, Frank Breazeala,
Laurence Mi'ler, Jas. S. Bourland, D. C.
Cowan, and J. 11. Moore, secretary.
In a town in Ohio, not long ago,
the women went in bands of two and
three, with their knitting and sewing,
into the dramshops of the place, and
spent the whole day with their work,
talking politely upon various topics.
Husbands and friends came in, saw
how things looked, and had not the
courage to step to the bar and drink.
This was kept up for some time. A
poor fellow, whose coppers were
terribly overheated, and who had
wandered from bar-room to bar-room
until he had completed the round,
hoping he should find one unguarded,
broke the spell. He poked his head
in at the door, at first sheepishly,
and then growing reckless 6waggered
up to the bar, and turning to the
women, who had dropped their knit
ting and whose countenances had
assumed a fearful expression, burst
out, in a brazen manner as though
it were exactly the right thing to
do with the polite invitation :
"Well, girls, what will you take to
drink?" That cleared the bar-room,
and the alarmed husbands reappeared
Grand Rally Last Saturday.
.The adjourned mass meeting of the
Tax-payers, without distinction of
party, met at Auction Mart, corner of
Congress Avenue and Tecan streets,'
on last Saturday. Hon. George Han
cock took the chair ; S. G. Sneed was
appointed Secretaiy; and Maj.C. S-
West, C. Spauldiug, Peter Smith, R.
Bertram, Behuke and Giles n.
Burditt were appointed to prepare suit
able resolutions, dining the . sitting of
which the meeting was addressed by
S. G. Sneed, Esq., in substance as fol
lows :
Mr. Sneed said that tne meeting
was one in which every citizen was
deeply interested. It was not a
meeting of partizans of any parties
ular political party, but that all were
invited to participate and exchange
views as to the best course of action.
The election "Order" of Governor
Davis had raised a cry of indignation
in every part ot tne state, ana tne
people everywhere knew he had as
sumed powers that were not within
his prerogative, and had taken a step
even higher than ever before towards
the chair of Dictator. Mr. Sneed
said he disliked to take the initiatory
step of suggesting a course of action
in advance of the report of the com
mittee, but would not shrink from
the responsibility of openly express
ing his views. Much had been said
of the "order," and with some the
impression existed that the restric
tions on the citizen embraced in every
paragraph of the order were dictato
rial and unauthorized by any law.
This view was erroneous, and it was
important that we distinguish sharply
between such portions of the order
as should be observed, by virtue of
existing laws which made such re
quirements, over those portions that
were purely emanations from Davis,
in his capacity as Dictator, and which
every one knew were encroachments
on that liberty guaranteed by the
Constitution.
That paragraph of the order which
prohibits the giving away or sale or
barter of intoxicating drinks, at or
within two miles of the county scat
either during day or night of the time
the election i3 going on, is nothing
more than an announcement of the
law. It was true that Gov. Divis
had interfered in this order in regard
to this matter, by directing hi3 min
ions to take steps to closo all such
establishments. The jurisdiction of
this matter was given by law to the
managers of tho election. But of
this we should raise no question.
Whoever violated this paragraph of
the order was violating the law of
tho land, and must take the conse
quences. The soiling, bartering or
giving away liquor or intoxicating
drinks was illegal, and it waa hoped
no ono would get into a difficulty on
this account.
Many, owing to an imperfect read
ing of tho law touching the carrying
of arms, labor under tho impression
that the law no where prohibits the
carrying of guns, but is confined to
prohibiting pistols, knives and other
deadly weapons that can be con
cealed on the person. This is an
error. Une section ot the law pro
hibits tho carrying of pistols or any
other firearms, or concealed deadly
weapons, at elections or any other
place where the people are assembled
to perform any public duty. This
would also include registrations. The
law permits the carrying of arms at
all places and times by tho citizen,
if he has reasonable grounds for
fearing an unlawful attack on his
person, and the danger of attack is
immediate and pressing. The arms
in such instance must be borne
openly on the person. Davis, in this
part of tho order, has done no more
than to announce the law.
The remainder of the order could
not be justified. The requirements
to vote with the least possible delay,
and then leave the polls and county
seat, and return home to the usual
avocation, was unauthorized by any
law was dictatorial, tyrannical and
a direct blow at the liberties of the
whole people. Gov. Davis, in other
p'ortions of his order, has shown such
portions of the law a3 he relies on to
support them. As to this portion,
he has cited no authority he has
none. Ho establishes a rule of con
duct for the citizen, by restricting
and confining his action, and thus
making a law. It is the highest
handed act of a dictator that has
yet been done. No law nor part of
law can be tortured by any construe
tion into giving authority to Davis
for this portion of the order. It is
the act of a tyrant bent on mishief-
a blow at the liberties of the whole
people of every party, and every
party is interested in this awful emer
gency, llow shall we treat it t Shall
we suDmit to oe controlled in our
action by one who has no more au
thority for such control than any
private citizen ? Can we submit to
allovfa - tyrant " and a dictator, who
makes his awn laws, to suddenly scat
himself on a throne among us, and
issue his supreme decrees ? We must
meet this terrible issue, let the respon
sibility for the consequences fall
where they belong. Whoever may
attempt to mteriere with a citi
zen, whether he bo State guard,
militiaman, State police, sheriff or
constable, or whatever else may be
his title, or rank, whether the su
preme commander Davis himself, or
Davidson, his chief bully, will be a
violator of the law. If a citizen is
arrested under pretext of authority
embraced in this paragraph of the
order, the party arresting him com
mits tne crime ot a laise imprisons
mcnt, and is liable himself to imme
diate arrest, indictment and punish
ment, and in the end a civil suit for
damages. Let this be tho course
If any one is interfered with in any
way under pretended authority of
this part of tho order, let friends be
ready to havo a warrant issued for
the arrest of the offending officer
If there be justice in the courts of
tho country the remedy will correct
tho evil, and the offenders will find
to their cost that they will not be
screened from the vengeance of the
law when they become willing tools
to a despot who would deprive us of
our liberty.
Tho committee appearing with the
resolutions, Mr. bneed retired.j
Resohfd, I. That we, the people of Travis
county, in mass meeting assembled, are in
favor of a fair, peaceable and fall expression
of the popular will at the polls in the com
ing election, and will discountenaoce any ef
fort from any quarter or in any form to pre
vent that free expression or to prevent any
voter from giving bis support or advocacy in
a careful way to the candidate of his choice.
2. That we regard the circular order of
Governor Davis, issued on August 14, 1871,
so far as it prohibits peaceable citizens from
assembling together and from standing
quietly in the neighborhood of tbe polls,
without interfering with any one, and watch
ing their servants discharge their duties and
conduct their election, as ilNadvised, illegal
and veil calculated to irritate the voters,
and that efforts under that order to drive
peaceable citizens from the polls, who are in
terfering with nobody and violating no law,
will most certainly tend to a breach of the
peace, and to deter persons from voting, and
prevent a free, fair and peaceable election,
and any officer seizing such peaceable citizen
will do so without authority rf law, and such
officer will be liable to indictment for false
imprisonment, and an action for damages.
3. That tbe first clause of the said circular
ordering all persons not residiug at the
county seat "to return to their homes and
usuai employments with the least pos ible
delay after depositing their votes," they re
gard as an insult to the common sense of
the people of Texa, as they are well aware
that tbere is no law in this State interfering
wilb their right of peaceable locomotion
about the streets and public places of the
county either before or after they have voted,
and they feel deeply mortified and humiliated
that an order exhibiting such ignorance,
shall have emanated from tbe Executive
office of this State.
4. That the Taxpayers Convention, when
it assembles on the 22d of September, be re
quested also to take into consideration this
election order and memorialize the Legisla
ture for its annulment in tbe particulars
above referred to, and also to request that the
election law be so amended as to provide a
mode by which each voter may recognize his
ballot which he sees it again, by having the
said ballot properly numbered and identified;
and also for tbe preservation for at least
twelve months after tbe tloction of the orig
inal ballots cast, so that they can be inspected
judicially, if necessary, in any future criminal
or civil proceeding or contested election; and
ulso to provide for tbe repeal of those silly
and wicked provisions of sections 21st, 22 i
and 35th of tbe election law, by which, under
pretense of riots or breach of the peace, the
returning officer has it in bis sole, absolute
power to exclude nil the votes polled in tne
whole country, and the courts are absolutely
prohibited from forcing him to do bis duty m
this respect.
5. That said circular orde. and such
wicked and mischievous provisions and sus
picious omissions in the election law as are
above referred to, seem to indicate a settled
purpose to corrupt and misuse the ballot
box in the comine election; we therefore
urge all good citizens to vote peaceably and
to prevent no man from voting, but at tbe
same time to observe closely every violation
of the law. with a view to indicting and
punishing the guilty parties under the en
forcement and Ku-Klux acts of Congress and
tbe amendments to said acts.
6. That we disapprove and condemn tbe
circular of the Chief of Police of August 1,
1871, calling into service for twenty-lour
days, twenty special policemen in every
county at tbe rate of $3 i er day, as oppres
sive and insulting to our peopleand above
all as placing upon our already over, burthen
ed shoulder, tbe additional sum of at least
$175,000.
7. That the Secretary of this meeting be
requested to furnish to our Senators and
Representatives a copy of these resolutions,
with tbe request to present them to the Leg
islature.
Maior C. S. West, chairman of
the committee, then proceeded to dis
cuss and urgo the adoption ot the
resolutions; he also dissected para
graph by paragraph, Governor Davis
election circular, and also the circu
lar of tho Chief of Police, providing
for calling into service special police-
men in every county, lie men uis
cussed that provision of the election
law that prevented the judgea from
putting a mark oh tho ballots (sec.
19 together with sections 21 and
35, that givo the returning officer the
power to exclude the vote of the
county on the ground of a pretended
riot; and the clause prohibiting the
courts from issuing any remedial
writ to compel the officer to do his
duty, and Coupling with these the
Governor s order prohibiting the
people from assembling for twenty
or thirty days betore the election,
and driving tho country people out of
town immediately alter they have
voted, and the order of the chief of
police, detailing special extra police
men for duty, as indicating a deep
laid conspiracy and a predetermina
tion, either to carry tho election by
fraud, and by scratching and alttr
ing the ballots, or else by rrieans of
hia order with the assistance ot the
police, to create riots and distur
bances, and then refuse to count tne
vote. In conclusion Major West said
"It is high time, fellowxcitizens,
that all of us, native and foreign,
white and black, were looking into
this question. This is a matter that
alike concerns us all. Let us sec
where we are drifting. The Bible
gays "a tree is known by its fruits."
13 it possmie tnai me iruit oi an our
strupzles for the last four or five
-r . ., i .1 . ,1 nt. c .11
years, is, that we have lost tbe power
- ' . .1.., SI
of free locomotion, tnat tne uover
nor can order the country people out
of town, and disperse them with his
police if they don't go ? Is it pos
sible that power has passed from the
people, and that the Governor can
forbid you from assembling together,
and proclaim silence to reign through
out the State of Texas, for the space
of ten or twenty days r If, then
the Governor has the power to order
you from the county seat, if he has
the power to keep you from the
neighborhood of the polls after you
have voted, if he can prohibit you
from assembling together, and can
empower policemen to disperse you
on the judgment ot the policemen.
and without warrant, then 1 say.
we have lost the power of self-gov
ernmcnt, we have been robbed of it,
for we could not part with the right.
if we would, being a part of our man
hood, we are slaves in every sense o
the word, and the Government that
can forbid free locomotion, free as
scmbling, free speech and free ballot.
is an unmitigated despotism, and
ought not to be allowed to curse our
land and crush out the spirit of al
our people white and biacn. it we
stand this, we will indeed have a
hideous equality; not the equality
freemen, but the equality of slaves.
the privilege of obeying one common
master. This conspiracy against you
is deep laid and well planned. The
authors of it knew that the ballot
was the right arm of tho freemen, it
is the only place where the people ex
ercise directly that sovereignty
which is inherent in them. If you can
corrupt or control the ballot box,
you corrupt or destroy the fountain
of power. Without a pure and un
trammeled ballot for all elections, no
Stato can maintain its freedom.
Hence they in their conspiracy to
strike down your power, by this
election circular and this election
law, have made a bold attack upon
the centre of our line, for the ballot
box is the Gibraltar, it is the Mala
koff of freedom; destroy that, and all
is lost. They know this right well and
hence their determined efforts by
lawa and by orders not to have &
fair; but if necessary to have an ran
fair election. When they 6hall have
obtained entire control of the ballot
box. so aa to make it speak not the
will of those who put the ballots in,
but the -will of those who take the
ballots out, they will have destroyed
your right to vote, as certainly as if
they had by law forbidden you to
vote. And when they have done
this, they will in the language of Mr.
Clay, "have extinguished the bright
est lamp that burnB on the altar of
civil liberty." See to it then, that
all of you vote, and also that your
vote 13 counted, ana n mese men at
tempt to drive you from the polls or
Ku ivlux you with their ponce, or
Lvu Klux your vote alter it is put in
tho ballot box, indict and prosecute
every mother's son of them under
the Ku Klux laws of Congress. The
aw was made for just such men, and
the man who orders the people from
noils, and forbids their assembly, is
Ku Klux within the delmition ol
that law, and the only genuine Ku
Klux that I know of in the btate.
Judge Ireland requests the publica
tion of the following letter as explana
tory of certain statements made in Mr,
n F.iiintt' circular addressed to
the Democratic Executive Committee :
Letter from Judge Ireland.
To the Edi'or of the Democratic Statesman.
Seguin, Au. 19, 1871.
I have iust read, for the first time,
fiol. J. D. Elliott a "circular. In
this circular, Col. Elliott says that,
on complaining of the injustice,
"Judse Ireland remarked that tho
resolution, so far from being one of
hostility to the Gazette was intended
a3 an act of iriendship.
This latter part of the quotation,
(that the resolution waa intended as
an act of friendship l never maae
It could not have been made. We
were not there to work in the inter
est of any man or paper. It is
equally true that we were not there
working against tho interest of any
one or any paper.
Col. Elliott further says, that while
Exposing the absurdity of looking
to Mongrel Rings for standard Dem
ocratic faith." Col. Elliott was ob
jecting to the resolutions because it
gave the control of the editorial
department to the stockholders.
cared nothing about who had control
and thereupon arose and asked Col.
Elliott, in open Convention, "if he
would be satisfied if tho Democratic
Committee was substituted for stock
holders ?" to which he replied "per
fectly." This was all that was said
between Col. Elliott and myself.
never appealed to him to withhold
urther opposition, nor did I give him
any other or further assurances than
are stated above. 1 had no right or
authority to give assurances. I was
not one of the Executive Committee.
Very respectfully.
John Ireland.'
Democrats and Germans in
League.
Editor of Democratic Suleiman.
Let ua call attention to the follow
z, in the Texas Democratic Plat
form :
7. Resolved, That immigration of tbe white
races irom an quarters ot tne world be en
couraged, and there should be no unreason
able impediments or delay to naturalization
and citizenship, tho Democratic party having
been unuormly in tavor ot a liberal policy
towards persons of foreign birtb, who in good
iaitn seek a home among us.
The Constitution of the United
States was framed under purely Dem
ocratic principles. It gave the right
of freedom of speech, of religion, and
estaDiisnea me new-Dorn nation as a
home for the oppressed of every land.
"JNo religious test shall ever be re
quired for office," wrote the worthy
patriots in tnis, tne sacred bond o
the nation, and when the Republic o
lexas loomed into existence a con
stitutional check was at once put upon
exclusive religious privileges. The
old established rights of tho Horn an
Catholic Church, acknowledged un
der the Mexican law, were superceded
by the more enlightened doctrines of
the Democratic conquerors, and to
day, throughout the broad expanse
of our land, every religious denomi
nation enjoys perfect freedom in ex
erasing and promulgating its peculiar
doctrines.
Under long Democratic adminia
tration, the nation thrived, growing
and spreading in its dominion through
its various stages of progression and
acquisition ; enfolding within its em
pire and undents protection, Florida
Louisiana, the great valley of the
Mississippi, Texas and the other
treasured jewels of the Mexican dia
dem, until its confines rested upon
the north, the south, the east and the
west of this great Continent. Every
wnere, throughout its vast expanse
freedom of speech and religion was
declared, and a new world, teeming
t- 1 I" X 1-11 ,.P
wiui ueauues, treasure, niauen weaitn
and glorious climates was offered to
.1
me poor, crowaeu ana oppressed
people ot loreign despotisms. They
were proviuea, as they flowed into
our borders, with homes and lands
and with their industry they became
ricn ana nappy.
In bygone days, the Democrats
and Whigs opposed each other as
political parties striving for the mas
tery, but owing to the more generous
ana popular measures of the first th
latter fell into a minority, and, des
perate for power, it dropped its time
worn name and waged war upon tne
Democratic party under o new ono
and with new principles. The Whig
party looked with jealous fear upon
the rapidly increasing power of their
old political foe. Under Democratic
rule the rights of the foreigner were
protected, and hence they increased
until they began to appear as a pow.
crful weight in the political balance.
To gain power, tho opposition to the
Democracy concluded to make one of
tho boldest strokes which has ever
been attempted in our political his
tory a Btroke at constitutional
righta. Their organization was secret
and its membera were sworn by an
oath to the firm support of its politi
cal principles.
The Democrats triumphed in the
election of Pierce over Scott, and
frantic from successive defeats, the
opposing party dropped its name,
resorted to the secret organization
referred to, and commenced waging
a war upon the Democratic party
under the name of Know Nothingism.
Its policy waa to take from
foreigners their political and even
religious rights, and by doing so stop
emigration to the United states, u
proposed to proscribe foreigners from
office, and take away even their con
ceded righta -of suffrage ; indeed, it -went
further in making an attack
upon the Roman Catholic religion,
and denying to its believers, also, the
right, though probably natives, of
enjoying certain political privileges.
Ibis attack upon Catholicity was
made in consequence of fear of for-
lgn influence ; in fact, the whole
scheme was a vile intention to knock
the foreign support from beneath the
Democracy, by denying them and
Catholics political rights, calculating
that by such evil means the defeat
and permanent downfall of their
opponents could be obtained and ef-
ected. But no such end was attained.
State struggles came off with the
defeat of this horrid ism, and finally,
n loob, the Democracy spread itself
in a powerful effort, and hand in hand
with the foreigner and Catholic, con
signed Know Nothingism to oblivion,
and preserved to themselves in tact
those sacred righta which the
Constitution and laws had declared
Bhould belong to them forever.
The Democratic and foreign ele
ments were identified up to the com
mencement of the war. The Ger
mans, more particularly, being raised
in their native land to the profession
of arms, were readily enlisted into
the Union service. The ranks were
rapidly tilled up by them, and a con
stant, fresh supply was poured into
the service during the entire term of
the struggle. These men did not
join the army for any love of cause.
Thousands ot mem aia not Know
what it was ; thousands did not even
know the language of tha people for
whom they fought. Largo bounties
were paid, and so the homeless and
friendless wanderer, just upon the
shores, it was a happy chanca that he
could thus get immediate employ
ment, and to the German it only be
came a renewal of a profession which
he had known from earliest man
hood. Few Germans lived in the South,
and but few were in the Southern
army. The ports were all closed,
except at the North, and hence all
the-foreign recruiting went into the
Union armies, and naturally, as their
numbers swelled to quite half of the
whole force, this element became
identified with the war party, and
gave it their hearty support. It was
not through principle but association
they commenced to extend toward.,
the Southern people any hatred.
But it should be remembered this
war party at tho North was com
posed largely of Democrats, some of
whom were the most inveterate war
men of the day ; yet so soon aa the
battle waa over, so soon as the ban
ners wero furled and laid away, these
Democrats returned to their homes,
and once more became the support
ers of civil law. They were still the
same men who struggled for the
righta of the foreigner and Roman
Catholic in 185G; the Democratic
party was tho same, and the differ
ence in the conduct of these men and
their German associates, waa attribu
table to the fact that they were raised
under different institutions. The
Germans, in consequence of their
raising were awed by the prestige of
the ruling party, which, in the chang
ing of politics, represented the old
political foes of the Democrats. They
had simply not kept pace with their
steadfast defenders, in consequence
of hereditary ideas.
Ilannilv tho German is to-dav
waking from his forgetfulness, and
falling into the ranks of those who
said, in 185G, that ho had rights
under the Constitution and laws, that
should be his at every peril. In
r i
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other
States, and now in Texas, hia yoice
is heard calling his brethren back to
tho sido and support of his old
friends. He fled from oppression
and high taxation on the other side
of the Atlantic, but now he finds that
though tho support ho has given to
tho powers that be was honestly and
charitably given, ihey have turned
against him, seemingly determined
upon his destruction and the destruc
tion of all who do not willingly bow
to tyranny.
We do not ask the Germans of
Texas to reflect, for they are even
now rapidly waking to a sense of
their terrible situation. The reform
has commenced, and like the raging
tempest, it will take everything with
it. They are too intelligent to be
longer deceived ; they are beginning
to realize that they have been lend
ing their aid to the establishment of
a Government more tyrannical even
than the most absolute monarchy in
Europe. They came among us to
enjoy political liberty, and it ia bold
ly denied them ; they came to enjoy
respite from heavy taxation, and
their last hard gained earnings are
taken from them to line Radical
pockets.
We know you are not afraid to
associate yourselves with your old
Democratic defenders to throw off
this yoke of tyranny. You have
tried them and they have proved
faithful. If they had not triumphed
for you at the ballot box in 1850,
they would willingly have shed their
blood to secure to foreigners the
rights guaranteed them. Your broth
ers in lexas are rallying to the
Democratic standard, and let ua
again support each other as we did
in the days gone by. "United we
stand, divided we fall." C.
The scene at the depot is one of
animated appearance. A number of
business housca are going up rapidly
drays are passing to and fro with
freight, and the movement of indi
viduals evince more life than former
ly, while the noise of hammers and
Baws is at times really deafening.
Our city is rapidly improving.
Victoria A dvocate.
Guai'E.s. The grape crop this
year will be tho largest ever known.
In California it is far beyond the
product of any previous year. From
North Carolina we learn that unusu
ally large quantities are being ship
ped to New York. On the islands in
Sandusky bay, Lake Erie, the vinea
are literally loaded. In the West
the grape crop ia represented aa
being bo large that the demand falls
far below tbe production, and prices
will not pay for picking and packing.