expect or even hope for Lheir coopcraLion. When made the reluctant, but greatly benefited recipienLs of a new, invigorating, and cherishing policy-a policy tendering equal, imparLial, and indiscriminate protection to all; to the low and the high, the humble and the well-born, the poor and Lhe rich, Lhe ignorant and the educated, the simple and the shrewd - then, and not before, will they become even useful auxiliaries in Lhe work of poliLical or moral renovaLion. It belongs Lo Lhe NorLh-Americans of Texas Lo seL this bright, Lhis cheering, Lhis all-subduing example. Let Lhem call togeLher Lheir wise men. Let them be jealous to the experienced, of the speculaLor, of every one anxious to serve as a delegaLe, of every one hungry for power, or soliciLing office; and of all too who have Lhus far manifesLed a willingness to enterLain or encourage Lhose who have already Lried Lhe paLience of the exisLing Council with their soliciLations and allendance. Those who seek are seldom ever Lhe best qualified to fill an office. Let Lhem discard, Loo, the use of names calculaLed only to deceive and bewilder, and return like men to the use of words whose signification is sellled and universaUy acknowledged. Let them call their assembly, thus made up, a ConvenLion; and leL this convention, insLead of declaring for "the principles" of a consLitution, for "the principles" of Independence, or for those of Freedom and SoverignLy, boldly, and wiLh one voice, proclaim the Independence of Texas. LeL the convention frame a constitution for Lhe fuLure governmenL of this favored land. Let them guard the instrument securely, by the introduction of a full, clear, and comprehensive bill of rights. Let all this be done as speedily as possible. Much useful labor has already been performed; but much is yet required to complete the work. The foregoing, we are fully aware, is a blunt, and in some respects, a humiliating, but a faithful picture. However much we may wish, or however much we may be interested, or feel disposed to deceive our enemy, let us carefully guard against deceiving ourselves. We are in more danger from this - from his insinuating, secrets, silent, and unseen influence in our councils, boLh in the field and in the cabinet, and from the use of his silver and gold, than from his numbers, his organization, or the concentration of his power in a single arm. The gold of Philip purchased what his arms could not subdue - the liberties of Greece. Our enemy, too,
267
Powered by FlippingBook