288
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
Does not this preclude the idea that powers were given to the Convention to meet again after its adjournment and remodel the Government? Having adjourned and submitted its "action" to the people, from whence comes the power to reassemble. The call contemplates the final adjournment of the body before the people are called upon to approve or reject its action. Having performed all the functions assigned to it, and ceased to exist, the people reserved to themselves the power to approve or con- demn; and they are bound no further than by their own action upon that which was submitted to their vote at the ballot box. If the Convention performed other acts, and did not submit them to the people, th"e people are not bound by them. If the Conven- tion usurped the reserved powers of the people, none of the attributes of sovereignty attach to that portion of its proceedings. But granting that the Convention had power to reassemble, which it had not, is it not still bound by the terms of the call, to "submit its action," before it acquires the force of law ?-If the power was assigned to it to act in reference to the position Texas should occupy after secession, is it not also bound to submit that action to the people? The same limit of powers is attached to it, as before its adjournment. If it be the same Convention, it is subject to the same restrictions. The power is not conferred to perform a single act, unless that act be submitted to the peo- ple. If it could re-assemble, amend the Constitution to provide for the admission of Texas into the Southern Confederacy, it could only act subject to the limit of the call. If its action has been "submitted to the ratification or rejection of the people," (not the rejection alone, but both,) then the servants of the peo- ple are bound to recognize it, otherwise they are not. The Convention has declared Texas one of the Confederate States? It has changed the Constitution and established a TEST OATH. It has elected the delegates to the Provisional Govern- ment at Montgomery. It has created Committees and delegated to them the powers of the people. It has contracted debts in the name of the people. It has created an army and appointed of- ficers. It has sent agents to treat with foreign States and Indian tribes. It has restored to citizenship those excluded by the Con- stitution and laws. It has deposed the Executive and Secretary of State. Have any of these acts and others of a similar char- acter, been "submitted to the people, for their ratification or rejection?" They have not; and yet it is urged that they are binding on the people.
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