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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
York [Mr. Seward] says he is perfectly willing to accord to her all her just claims, and yet he says she has no right to this territory. The reason why this amendment 2 should be adopted, in my humble opinion, is that New.Mexico, as we learn, having already become organized under an order of the Executive, will insist upon her admission as a State. Unless the proviso pre- sented by my colleague be adopted, the subject will every day become more and more complicated. I would give, sir, all consideration due to every community in the world. But I cannot regard New Mexico as a distinct political community. Will not the common sense of every individual throughout this broad land at once discover that this is not done by the action of New Mexico, that it is exclusively an act of usurpation, that it is military action, and that the civil authority there bas been a nullity? What civil authority do we hear of acting there, except the person who acts in the duplicate or double character of "military and civil Governor"? It has all emanated from him. It did not begin with the masses and rise to the head. It has begun at the head, but it has not yet traveled down to the masses, because they are incapable of comprehending it. They cannot comprehend free institutions. No three native citizens understand the English language. And how could they, creoles and natives, take action upon institutions that they know not of? Even if they could read English, everything would be new to them. Hence it is that everything is conducted and dictated by the military. Military officers have presided over the meetings and conventions that have been held there. And it is easy to see what under such circumstances would be the determination of the masses. They have been accustomed to nothing but military rule and absolute power. They are composed of men who never exercised the right of suffrage, and know nothing about it- men who have been governed by officers who derived their authority from the Central Government as long as they were under the Mexican jurisdiction-men who since the treaty have not become acquainted with our institutions. The "Kearney code" 3 has been their rule of government since 1846, and under that they are organized. Well, sir, are the rights of Texas, whatever they may be, to be dependent upon military rules and military dictation when they are under adjudication, and no provision be made to secure her against usurpation? Have not her rights been encroached upon? Has not arbitrary power been established in Santa Fe, and ruled and governed that people without any choice of their own?
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