The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-06
From the Galveston Civilian, July 10
CONVENTION OF TEXAS.

CONVENTION OF TEXAS.
On taking his seat as President of the Convention,
Gen. Rusk delivered the following address:
Gentlemen of the Convention Language would
fail me, were to attempt an expression Of my feel
ings in being thus, unsought by me, elevated to the
position which i now occupy as the President of
this honorable Convention, to whose hands are con.
hded the dearest interests Of the people Of Texas,
and whose action upon this occasion, am satisfied,
will not disappoint the just expectations of the
friends of republican government. My pursuits in
life have not thrown me into situations to become
acquainted with the rules of proceeding acted upon
by bodies of this kind and must, in advance, ask
the indulgence Of the Convention towards the errors
and mistakes which have no doubt may uninten-
tionally fall into The objects for which we have
assembled deeply interest the people of Texas. We
have the hopes of our present population, as well
as the millions who may come after us, in our
hands. The eyes of the civilized world upon
We present this day bright spectacle to all lovers
of freedom and republican government
The history of the world may be searched in vain
for parallel to the present instance, of two govern
mens amalgamating themselves into one, from a
pure devotion to that great principle, that man. by
enlghtening his intellect and cutvating those moral
sentiments with which his God has impressed him,
is capable of selfgovernment.
The terms of annexation alike honorable 70
the United States and to Texas; and, as Texan,
oCunS ioi Hiyocit al" my Poseciity,A WoWu hot,
it practicable, without in the slightest degree
endangerng the great question involved seek to alter
the terms proposed to us by the government Of the
United States. Texas, animated by the same spirit,
and following the bright example of the fathers Of
the American revolution, has acquired at the cost
of blood her freedom and independence from those
who would have enslaved her people. She now,
with unanimity unparalleled enters that great
federacy, to whose keeping the bright jewel Of hu-
man liberty is confded-content to bear the bur
dens and share the benefits which republican govern
ment carries in her train.
Our duties here, although important, plain
and easy of performance. The formation ofa State
constitution upon republican principles is the only
act to be performed to incorporate into the Amer
lean Union While we insert those great princ-
Piles which have been sanctioned by time and expe-
rence, we should be careful to avoid the introduc-
ton of new and untried theories; we should leave
those who to follow us free to adopt such amend
ments to the system their experience and intei-
gence shall suggest, and their circumstances render
necessary. We have one grand object in view; and
that is, to enter the. American confedoracy with be-
coming dignity and aelf-respeet. Let us, then, lay
aside all minor considerations, and avoid all subjects
calculated to divide us in opinion, and boldly and
confidently 60 up to the formation Of a constitution,
which, while it secures our own rights, shall satis-
fly friends abroad and meet the sanction of that
God, to whose bountiful providence Texas is al
ready so much indebted