THE AUSTIN PAPERS 937 by the decree of the governor of the state of Coahuila and Texas who declared the proceedings of the convention null and void, and ordered the several committees to dissolYe. At the time when this committee determined to convoke the present convention, they took an impartial survey of our federal relations and of our local affairs. They beheld the Mexican confederation torn and broken asunder by political parties each of which sustained its pretentions to the supreme executive power of the nation by force of arms. Civil war 1·aged in every part of the Mexican territory and in looking upon the face of the nation nothing was to be seen but confusion and bloody discord-Brother contending with brother in deadly strife for mastery in political power. They saw that the constitution of the republic, that instrument which they had been taught to look upon as the sacred charter of their liberties was alternately vio- lated and set aside by all parties, and that all the constitutional guar- antees were merged for the time being in military power. They saw the constitutional period for the election of President and vice President of the nation and of members of Congress, pass by, and at least one third of the states refuse or neglect to hold the elections. The future presented the gloomy prospect that the days of consti- tutional freedom had been numbered to the :Mexicans, and that we should ere long see the waves of anarchy and confusion close forever over the wreck of that :Mexican republic. The disorganization of the government was so extreem, that even the leaders of the liberal party who ha"Ve been contendinrr for the restoration of constitutional t:, liberty, and whose cause was espoused by the people of Texas, and generously defended with their blood and treasure, found themselves conpelled to lay aside all the established forms, and to renovate the constitution by violent and unconstitutional means. The committee turned from this view of our national affairs to that of the local internal situation of Texas which has not materially changed since the last convention. The political system under which Texas has heretofore been governed, tends to check the growth of the country, and to produce confusion and insecurity, rather than to extend protection to lives liberty and property. The unnatu~al annexation of what was formerly the province of Texas to Coahmla by the constituent congress of the Mexican nation, has forced upon the people of Texas a system of laws which they do not understand and which cannot be administered so as to suit their condition or to supply their wants. The Alcaldes who are the highest judicial officers in Texas and have unlimited jurisdiction in all cases, are elected annua!ly by th~ people, and those who are ignorant and corrupt and without re- 88370-28-60
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