188
TEXt\S STATE LmRAR
intelligence and general information, than will be found among her settlers. Texa has never been properly organized: never conveniently or well governed; alway in a half way state of anarchy; and Coa- huila by her great propensity for lawle s innovation, ha now capped the climax; and Texas is left like a bark to ed on the boundless ocean, without pilot, compass or chart, with a mutinous crew, vio- lently dissenting among themselves. Under such circum tanccs, rea ou and prudence would dictate that the thiukinrr and well di - posed portion of the crew who felt an interc t in the pre ermtion of th~ir r,er on and property, would seize the helm, and conduct her into a afe harbor; where her damages and l013se could be repaired. Thus much, fellow-citizen ; I have thought proper to say to you in behalf of the cause I advocated in my former addre s. Prompted by a deep regard for the interests of the country, and by a proper respect for my elf. 'The whole is nbmittcd to your consideration, and your decision; with full confidence that there'is virtue, tability and independent <leci ion enough in the citizens of Texas to retrieve her from anarchy, and restore her violated constitution. With the fulle t conviction of the importance of the pre ent crisi , ilence in me would be a crime. I have ther~fore spoken to you in the lan- gua0e of freedom and sincerity, without disguise. I am aware. how- ever, those who differ from me in political entiment , may perhaps ascribe to arrogance or ostentation, what I know i alone the result of the purest intentions. But the rectitude of my heart which di - claims such unworthy motives; the part I haVll hitherto acted in life; the determination I have formed of not falling into party spirit, or prejudice ; the ardent desire I feel and shall continue to manifest for the promotion of the public weal; will, I flatter my elf, ooner or later convince my fellow citizens that I could have no sinister views in delivering with so little re erve, the opinion contain<'d in this address. They are not the vain or idle flitting of a disordered imagination, or the frantic ebtillitions of vi ionary fancy; bnt the result of sober and deliberate investigation, based on the principles of immutable ju tice. To that portion of my .fel1ow-citizen whose minds arc untrammelled and free; neither tied by local or party prejudice ; di connected from the vile paW11erl mania of low de- ceptions, intrigue and unholy PECUL.ATIOX, I appeal for upport. ·with a confidence that they will tak a fnir view of their critical situation. and urge their different Ayuntami nto to take this matter into seriou. and peerly con ideration, a a paramount duty, and II'> soon as may be intimate to me their view and determinntion. on th.c suhjcct, in order that I may communicate with the other depart- ments accordin"'l:v. The ba i of our politicnl y tem i th riirht of the people to make and to alter the con. t itution of govcrnnwnt; but the constitution which at any time exist , till chnnged by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, i acredly obliga- tory upon all. 'l'he very idea of the power and the ri~ht of the pro- pie to stnhlish g-ovcrnmrnt, prc1;11pposci; the dnt:,- cf ('\"Cl)' individual to ohey the establi. heel con. titutionnl government. All obstrnction to the execution of the lnws, all combination and as ociations, under ,vhatevP.r plausible character, with real <le ign to direct, control,
Powered by FlippingBook