WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859
387
Eber Worthington Cave (July 14, 1831-March 28, 1904) was born and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He learned the printers' trade in the Gazette office, Burlington, New Jersey, and in January, 1853, came to Texas and settled at Nacogdoches. He obtained the position of foreman on the Nacogdoches Chronicle, and by his ability and ceaseless industry was enabled to buy the paper by January, 1854. He soon became prominently known as one of the most influential editors in Texas. On April 15, 1857, he married Laura, a daughter of Adolphus Sterne. Two daughters were born of this marriage: Laura (always called Lollie), who married Hunter Wilson; and Rosine, who married H. C. House, of Houston, Texas. Lollie Cave Wilson is the author of Harcl to Forget, a romantic story concerning the life of William S. Porter-O. Henry. Mrs. Wilson has recently died at Los Angeles, California. E. W. Cave was regarded as a trustworthy conservative in politics. During the gubernatorial race of 1855, he took ground against those who sponsored a State system of internal improvement. This was considered a somewhat risky step for a young man who had political, aspirations, for while many of the leaders of the State were bitterly opposed to the policy of a State internal system, the fear of Know Nothingism caused them to remain silent in their opposition. Cave was also opposed to Know Noth- ingism, but refused to yield his ideas of State policy. He supported Matthew Ward for Congress against Judge Evans; he opposed acceptance of the Texas debt bill as passed by Congress, on the grounds that it was not a finality, and did not provide for the paying to Texas the balance that would remain in the United States Treasury, on the account of claims lost, or not presented. In the Presidential race of 1856, he was a prominent supporter of Buchanan, his paper being the first in Texas to present Buchanan's name as a Presidential candidate. He also espoused, definitely, the conserva- tive cause, and when General Sam Houston announced as a candidate for the Governor's chair, he gave him full support, and won for the General many votes in East Texas. He began issuing an extra, called a Campaign Chronicle, which came from the press every Saturday. This Campaign Ch,·onicle soon enjoyed a large circulation; but in his attempt to elect Houston, Cave stood out as just one editor against a thoroughly organized Democratic press in Texas, which was violently anti-Houston. Houston was defeated; but Cave was not discouraged. He steadily followed the fortunes of his Chief, and zealously maintained the rectitude of his principles. When the question of the reopening of the African slave trade was sprung upon the country, Cave took a firm stand against the measu1·e, and warmly defended the position taken by Houston and John H. Reagan in the United States Congress, concerning the subject. Then, when Houston again became a candidate for the Gubernatorial office in 1859, Cave came out for him with even greater enthusiasm than in 1857. The Campa.ig11 Chronicle was again issued every week, and it was edited with greate1· ability, perhaps, than in 1857; at any rate, it had greater success. After Houston's election, he offered Cave the position of Secretary of State. The office was accepted. Cave strongly opposed secession, believing, as did Houston, that it would mean ultimate ruin to the South. He resigned the office of Secretary of State, when Houston was deposed from the Governor's office in 1861, and moved his family to Houston, Texas. where he continued to live until his death.
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