THE AUSTIN PAPERS 783 nation. Guerrero ruined the old republican party by the incapacity of a part of his absurd * * . * and dessol * * * principles of the whole of them. [Nor] will the Santana party do anything better [tho] I hope they will. If a man of the talents and habits and industry of Lucas Alaman could be found of the rigJ1,t political creed and sufficiently balanced, [of] honest and disinterested patri- otism, [all would] go on well. We must however [hope for] the best. I think it very probable [that] Garcia Governor of Zacatecas, [will be] the president-if so he will pu * * * Juan Dios Ca[fie]do[ ?] and make him secretary of state, decidedly the best one that [could] be selected. I fear that not much harmony has or will exist between the mili- tary and civil authorities of Anahuac untill the new [state of] things places the power where it ought to be in all republics, s[ubor- dinate] to. the latter. However I hope that nothing of a serious nature will occur. The course which ought to be pursued is a very plain one, and [a very sim]ple one, it is this- Every outrage, disorder arbitrary or illegal act of the military ought to be reported officially [with the evidence to the?] Chief of department-those who are [misused 1] ought to go before the nearest alcalde, or any alcalde [the one of the municipality of Austin would be the best] and make a [clear] and full declaration in [writing?] under oath and * * * sus[tained ?] by witnesses-this declara[tion an]d all the proceedings ought [to be re]corded in the judicial records [and co]pies sent to the Chief of Depart[ment] and redress ought to be asked but in the most respectfull manner. All acts of violence ought to be avoided and put down or stoped. But should [acts] occur of so flagrant a nature that public indignation could not be restrained, a thing which my knowledge of military opperations generally in Texas c[auses me] to.fe[ar ma]y happen, great ca[re] must be taken not to do or say anything against the Govt. take gre[at] .care and use g1·eat prudence on th[is] point. If any public act, or publication is made, head it with " Fidelity and [obedience to the laws and] the Constitution a[nd nation, or so]mething of that kind. Let all your acts if any are made, begin with an article that in express terms declares the fidelity and rigid adherance of the people to Mexico, to the State, to the Constitution and System of Govern- ment now adopted etc-then go on to shew [what] particular out- rages had be[en com]mitted state what they are by [actsi] committed and all the facts-[shew] that legal redress had been [requested W] in [vain1)-the laws were no longer respected-the guarantees of the Constitution no longer any safe guard and for these reasons, and not [through] disaffection to the government violence had [be]en
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