WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859
383
Affairs, I believed the Mexican people utterly incapable of fram- ing a government and maintaining a nationality. This has been demonstrated since their separation from old Spain. Their his- tory is a catalogue of revolutions, of usurpations and oppression. As a neighboring people to us, it is important for the maintain- ance of good neighborhood, that law and order should exist in that country. The Mexicans are a mild, pastoral and gentle people; and it is only by demagogues and lawless chieftains, who with armed bands have robbed and plundered the people, that the disorders in that country are continued. A guarantee given to these people, for the protection of their lives and property against such, would cause them to rejoice and they would hail with pleasure any measure which might be adopted by any foreign government that would give them peace and security. As a border state, our o,vn security must to a great extent, depend upon the condition of things in Mexico, and the restoration of order, and the establishment of good government in that country. This is a subject for the c01;sideration of the federal authorities, and, no doubt will command their gravest reflection. Should no change take place in Mexico, restraining their dis- orders, and should they extend to this side of the Rio Grande, it will demand of the Executive of the State the exercise of its fullest powers, if needful, to protect our citizens, and vindicate the honor of our State. · In concluding this Inaugural, I am irresistibly led to reflections which I hope will be heard with no disadvantage to any of my audience. When Texas united her destiny with that of the govern- ment of the United States, she took upon herself duties and responsibilities for the faithful performance of which we are pledged as a State. She entered not into the North, nor into the South, but into the Union: her connection was not sectional, but national, and however distinct or diversified her interests may be, as compared with those of other States, she relies upon the same Constitution as they to secure her in the enjoyment of her rights. Making that Constitution the guiding star of our career as a State, let our rivalry be to ·approximate more closely to it than any of our sister States. It inculcates faithfulness to the Union, let us be faithful to it. Let us, in our relationships with the General government, and with the States of the Confederacy, allow none to excell us in our desires to promote peace and harmony. When our rights are aggressed upon, let us be behind none in 1·epelling attac~; but let us be careful to distinguish
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