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its necessary obligations, the security of the persons and property o·f its citizens from violence and outrage, which they have ever been taught to cherish aud venerate as being the first and principal great object of the social compact; and believing that in all communities of freemen unrestrained discussion is· indispensable as a safeguard against war and abuse, and animated by an unqualified_ spirit of amity towards their fellow-citizens, propose to discuss the following prop- osition, to wit:- " Shall the next Convention make _a Declaration of Independence, and form a Republican Government for Texas.'' This committee, after much reflection, and after viewing this mo- mentous subject, in all tbe business their minds have been susceptible of examing it, cannot but take the affirmative of the proposition.- And in discussing it before the-people of Texas, they feel particular pleasure in their knowledge of the fact, that they are addr.essing them- !;elves to the unbiased intelligence of a high minded, patriotic, and enlightened community. And in an appeal to such a community, and question touching their every interest, if self respect did not for- bid respect for those whom they address would deter them from re- sorting to declamation, passion, or approbrious language. They would these as mere empty sounds, striking in vain upon the car of so grave and dispassionate a people. They are duly sensible that facts and reason are all illat aught or will be listened to. .And these calm, tem- perate, and self passed-that such a community will exact the respect of an address to their understandings. This proposition naturally divided itself into two parts. First, has Texas the moral and political right to declare herself in- dependent of the l\f.exican Government. On this first part of the proposition, the reasons assigned in the declaration of the late Convention, appear to this committee, conclu- sive. To wit, That as Santa Ana, etc. had by force of arms, overthrown the fed- eral institutions of l\Iexico, and dissolved the social compact which exists between Texas and the other members of the l\rexican Confed- eracy, Texas was no longer morally or civily bound by the compact of Union. This correct and sensible declaration of the late Convention, is an elemental part of national law, and is broadly recognized and en- forced by the standard writers on that law. It was the fom1dation• of the English revolution of 1688, which banished the Stewart family from the throne. An<l tl1e reasons as- signed by the British parliament in declaring the abdication of James the second was "that king James the second, having endeavored to subvert th~ Constitution of the kingdom, by breaking the origi11al contract between king and people, etc" This part of the proposition is so evidmt that this committee cannot believe it necessary further to dilate on it, This doctrine goes to the original compact of all well organized communities of men. The government is bound as well as the eitizcns--if the government break its obligation, the·citizen's allegiance is discharged, and the commun- ity rctnrns to it.,; first clements. There is no uullificatiou in this-it
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