pul down all lLirhulcnt or seditious movements, bul lhal this mornl principle could not, and would nol unite with any armed forces against this country; on lhc conlrnry, it would resist and repel il, and ought lo do so. This point presents another strong reason why the people of Texas should meel in general consultation. This country is now in anarchy, threatened with hostilities; armeu vessels are capturing every thing they can catch on the coast, and acts of piracy are said lo he committed under cover of Lhe Mexican flag. Can Lhis stale of things cxisl without precipitating the country into a war? I think it cannot, and therefore believe that it is our bounden and solemn duty as Mexicans, and as Texians, lo represent the evils that are likely to result from this mistaken and most impolitic policy in the military movement. My friends, I can truly &1y that no one has been, or is now, more anxious than myself to keep trouble away from this country. No one has been, or now is more faithful to his duly as a i\lcxican citizen, and no one has personally sacrificed or suffered mor in the discharge of this duty. I have uniformly been opposed lo have any thing to do with Lhe family political quarrels of the Mexicans. Texas needs peace, and a local government: its inhabitants are farmers, and they need a calm and quiet life. But how can I, or any one, remain indifferent, when our rights, our all, appear to be in jeopardy, and when it is our duly, as weU as our obligation as good Mexican citizens, to express our opinions on the present slate of things, and to represent our situation to the government? It is impossible. The crisis is such as to bring il home to the judgment of every man thal something must be done, and that without delay. The question wilJ perhaps personalities, or divisions, or excitements, or passion, or violence, be banished from among us. Let a general consultation of the people of Texas be convened as speedily as posible, lo he composed of the besl, and most calm, and intelligent, and firm men in the country, and let them decide what representations ought lo be made lo the general government, and whal ought lo be done in future. With these explanatory remarks l wiU give a toast-The constitutional rights and the security and peace of Texas-they ought lo be maintained: and jeopardized as they now arc, they demand a general consultation of the people. [Stephen F. Austin)
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