PAPERS OF :MmABE.\U J3UONAPA.RTE LAMAR 225 of the old, which though Stamped & guildcd with the plausible noun of Central Republic, is nothing more or less than a Military Despotism. To this new government, the most of the States have given their ad- hesion Some voluntarily, and others at the point of the bayonet. Texas as yet bas taken no decisive S1and; her destiny is in her own h1mds; it will remain for future ages, to determine whether She decides correctly. The dav is not distant. when imperious necessity, will require, for her own Security, that She Shall adopt the one course or the other. The time is near at hand, when we will be required in a public manner, to proclaim in favor of Centralism. If we are asked for the evidence, we would direct your attention to our western frontier. For what purposes, are Such large bodies of troops, now concentrating at Bexad None can believe for a Single moment, that the welfare of Texas is their object. If further proof is required. we would ask, Why are our coasts daily infested with cruisers 1 Their object, is not to enforce a collec- tion of the revenue, because their commanders have in Some instances avowed, that they would Seize & condemn every article of dry goods, unless the whole amount of duties Should be paid before the arrival of the vessel in Port. No fellow citizens, the thin veil which has been thrown over their purposes, will Soon be withdrawn, and the real object will then Stand exhibited before ns in all its native deformity. Texas is looked upon by the republicans of Mexico, as the last rally- ing point of liberty. and to crush its Spirit in the bud, is now the end and object of all their military rn-0vements. Trust not to the delusive hope, that under the humiliating plan of Neutralism, you can find Safety. No. the dcctrine is as true in Politics as in religion that those who are not for us are against us. You must act then and act promptly. You ·must either declare in ~avor of centralism, or rallying under the banner, of your constitu- tions State and federal, which you have Sworn to Support, denounce those who have violated, them, and attempt to restore the government to its primitive principles or in the last resort you must take care of yourselves. .Already the Scheme of 'Military proscription has com- menced, and Six of our fellow citizens, have been demanded, to be offered up, as victims upon a bloody altar, to appease the vindictive vengeance, of petty tyrants. Yield to them in this first cal1 1 and in a very Short time we may expect, that ten times Six, will be required to appease their wrath. It is a principle well recognized by the ablest writers on national law, that whenever the old government, is destroyed by force, or in a manner, not contemplated· by the constitution, the integral parts, which composed, it, have the right to determine for themselves whether they will accede to it or not. . 1f this be correct, (and I apprehend, none at the pr_esent day will ' -dare to questicn it) let us apply the principles to our own condition and See, whether we occupy Such a position, as will justify us in de- ciding for ourselves upon the course best calculated, to promote our own happiness & that of our posterity. 15--Llbrary.
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