The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume V

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TEXAS STATE LIHHAHY

the least applicable and most unnatural to the virtuous and intelligent portion of mankind. And if i~onnrchy is proper for the wicked ; ,~•hat is the proper Govt. for the wise and good? I answer- Republican or Democrat.ic; and why? I answer because such a people never can enslave themselves for the reason that they are the friends and not the foes of each other- that the better principles of the heart, always lead to social habits: to free enquiry: and to a voluntary sacrifise of private feeling and interest to those with whom we are connected ; and these when criticized will be found the basis and true foundation of Republican Govt - Hence, this form of Go,·t. is the one into which the virtuous part of our race, naturally run; and the consequent free- dom is the divine reward which follows the practice of truth justice and virtue ; Whilst on the ,other hand Discord, anarchy and vice, the product of evil & baleful passions, unavoidably precipitate man into a form of Govt. where the strong arm of authority is suffici~nt to save them from themselves- The conclusion is that Republican institu- tions are the natural ones for the Govt. of the virtuous & wise and can flourish only during the predominance of the better principles of man; and that Monarchy is equally the natural Govt. for the wicked from which they cannot emerge only as vice & ignorance declines- [Endorsed:] On forms of Government [1832 ?] The following are communications from the revd father Muldoon- We publish them that it may not be said our paper is not "open to aU, and influenced by none"- Some of the toasts we think exceptionable, and are so nearly assimulated with adoration, to some individuals that we cannot acquiesce with the sentiments they breathe- We are ac- countable for all we publish, and therefore cannot pass these commu- nications v.ithout our unqualified disapprobation of some of the senti- ment$, which were given at the Dinner at the Alcalde's. It spells too strong of despotism- There is nothing republican attached it.- as to the communication on Religion- we have nothing to say- How- ever, we may admire the magnanimous & gentleman conduct of Ugar- techea, we at the same time determined to man, or set of men- We have once before been deceived to our sorrow- a certain Fi-sher, palmed a hoax upon us not more [than] 18 months since, & we are determined our conduct shall be such as not to implicate ourself, by making assertions which may prove erroneous [Endorsed:] M. iiuldoon No. 163. EDITORIAL. ANONYMOUS No. 169. WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS TO 0. H. ALLEN [San Felipe de] Austin July 15th 1833 DEAR Srn: Having an oportunity of writing, I embrace it to inform you, that it will be out of :My power to attend your next Court, you will therefore render me a great favor by attending to the the [sicl business of Mr Decrow which will doubtless be tried. The case will probably turn on the question, of whether the sea & its shores are the comm~m property of all mankind? You will find it to he a principle ?f Law in this country that, they are equally the property of all mankmd for

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