The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 77, July 1973 - April, 1974 Page: 244
568 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
for the Democratic candidates, even John Reagan and Hardin Runnels,
neither of whom he liked personally, to help unify the party. Although the
major elections were disastrous for the regular Democrats-Unionists win-
ning the governorship, lieutenant governorship, and both federal House
seats--the state house and the state senate remained in the hands of the
regular Democratic party, and these were the officials who would elect the
next United States senator from Texas."
In addition to Wigfall's strong party support within the legislature, he
had also early developed newspaper support, especially from the Dallas
Herald and the Marshall Texas Republican. Support of the Herald, his
most ardent advocate, dated from the summer of 1858 and continued until
his election. Although the Republican was one of the most rabid states'-
rightist papers in the state, it did not come out for Wigfall until the fall of
1859, but it had always spoken favorably about him and his philosophy.
The Austin State Gazette, an organ of the regular Democratic party which
was edited by the party chairman, John Marshall, stated in mid-September
that Wigfall, if elected, "would bring to office intellectual energies equal to
any in the American Senate." In the middle of October the Clarksville
Standard claimed that it was supporting no one for the Senate, but noted
that Wigfall was a man of outstanding ability who had done much to pro-
mote the Democratic party in the state. Speaking of his party devotion in
the August election, the Standard commented, "We know that he did not
fancy Reagan's nomination, or Runnels'; but he went through Northern
Texas, and advocated the election of the nominations of the Democratic
party, for the good of the party." Numerous other newspapers also spoke
favorably of Wigfall's party loyalty and ability.8 Several mass meetings, such
7Clarksville Standard, October I5, 1859; Thomas J. Crooks (state house member) to
Editor DeMorse, October 3, 1859, in ibid., November 12, 1859. The Unionists, though
capturing the major offices, did not gain control of either house of the legislature.
Although it is impossible to determine the exact majority held by the regular Democrats,
the opposition was reported to be outnumbered by nine votes in joint session, as the
legislature would be sitting when the United States senator was elected.
SDallas Herald, July 3, I858, October 5, 19, I859; Marshall Texas Republican, Octo-
ber I, 8, I859. Probably the Republican was hesitant to support Wigfall during the
summer of 1859 because of its fear that he might not be elected, and its unwillingness
after the Unionist rout in August, to commit itself to a possible loser. The Marshall
Harrison Flag, September 23, 1859, believed this was the reason. Speaking of the Re-
publican's hesitancy to support Wigfall, the Flag commented that "a scalded cat fears
even cold water," but continued that as soon as Wigfall's election seemed assured, the
Republican would strongly support him. And it did. See also the Austin State Gazette,
September 17, 1859 (first quotation); Clarksville Standard, October 15, 1859 (second
quotation); Marshall Harrison Flag, October 14, 1859; Trinity Advocate as cited in
Austin State Gazette, December 3, 1859; and Upshur Democrat as cited in Marshall
Harrison Flag, September 9, 1859.244
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 77, July 1973 - April, 1974, periodical, 1973/1974; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117148/m1/278/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.