The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume I

PAPERS OF l\iIR.\BE.\U BuoNAPARTE LAMAR. 185 had disposed, so far as wa possibly w:ithin her power; yet, the action of the people must necessarily be had, before the "'OVernment could possibly be restored on the principles of the constitution. Having virtually de troyed that in trument, by failing to comply with it provisions, it is then evident and clear that a government can only be formed provisionally until the provisions of that instru- ment can again be taken up as stipulated. The evidence before us, (which we are bound to respect) plainly proves that the constitu- tional time for renovating all the important offices of the state has passed by, and there has been no election 1 Because anarchy and military mi rule prevailed throughout the major part of the state, at that time; so that the provision of that instrument could not be complied with. Our con -titutional Governor was forced out of his cffice by a military mob, and the Legislature dispersed, and as such, 1he state of Coahuila and Texas completely dissolved as a body politic. .r 1 ow if this is not anarchy and confusion, I would really like to know what m,ight be considered sit-/ficient to prod11ce it? It is then weak and fallacious to say, that these evils will soon be compromi ed nnd ·ettled without consulting the whole people; they being parties would certai_nly like to know when, and how these evils were remedied 1 Will the people of 'Texas under uch circum tances suffer oahuila to patch. and mend these innovations at will? If so• they yield into her hands the control of their destinies, and seal their own fate. I have no doubt the mobs of Coahuila will compromise and settle their contentions and disputes for power. This, however, with u , is a matter of no interest, and with which we have nothing to do. .As the innocent and violated party however whose ri"'hts and privileges have been as ailed in the most tender point, I humbly <~onceive, we have much to do. It is evident if we now remain in- active, submitting ourselves to the political juggling of Coahuila; that she will no doubt settle down in some form or other, calculated to J>aralyze the interests of Texas; and as such, in self 9-rotection, we will be brou"'ht in direct contact and collision. Why should Texas look up to Coahuila more than the latter to. her, their rights and privileges are equal 1 By the lawless acts of Coahuila, Texas is left completely in a state of nature; for the bond which connected the two, as members of the ame political family, have been, by the act of Coahnila de troycd, and the stipulations forfeited. Is Texa bound to forfeit with her? Certainly not. She has a third party, the General Government, to sustain her in emergencies like thls, provided she timely make the proper appeal. It i vain then for Texas to rely on Coahuila for ;re-organization; well knowing her pronene to innovate upon the principle of the con titution ¥ It is said that there are only a few town that are disaffected¥ It is however, well known that Saltillo has been for some time in direct oppo ition; and their party wa so formidable that the governor could not rai ·e a force sufficient to put down the mob ; superadded to this he wa as ailed by a new mob, headed by an officer of the permanent army, with troops at hi back, who 'forced him out of his office, and declared himself governor in his stead. Does not this afford unequivocal proof, 'that the Executive was deserted by the

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