The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1858-04-10
MIR. NICEAsI's REILLY,

. ton shall nov proceed to reply to YOU
r third. /, IL IN the following words -"Af
ter a State has been admitted into the nina
i. has the numerical majority OF the people
Of such state the sht to alter OF abolish
, the Constitution, regardless of the mode prr
scribed Tor il amendment 1T any and
1 whore there is none, Of the refusal Or asson,
of such Stale
- answer--no; neither after ror hafcse
1 admission. II the right exist ut ALL. it musl
I be- either n natural or acquired right l.
cannot he ~ f. mer; because MI such
tights belong to man in what is called he
state OF nature, that il IN he state which
is supposed 20 procode the eXsteace -. gov
eminent --or. wha, Is called the pohucs,
state. Although the human raco canuo,
exist without society. nor society without
government. yet IN the order OF things, man
, must have existed heto,e society, aud soc =
ETY. before government. And hence 81 has
not been unusual for elementary wdtofs ora
morals AID politics 10 treating II the rights
and duties OF man. 70 regard him 90 each
OF these states Ia his natura siale, he Is
considered simply rs an individual, With no
SUPERIOR aud his nights and dntles are de-
duced from those faculties and endowmeu's
physical, intellectual, snd moral wh.en are
common to tee race. Regarded Ia this
state, all arc equal 10 rights. IN il, each
individual is the sole master of bic own ae.
lions ami there are neither mainfties nor
mlnofl .lcs. In the other, OF political state
he cosscs 70 be regarded in tbs ISOLATED
and independent character. and il view ei d p
amem5er at body polite, o. Stale --
that o., society ofgsnized under govern
meut. which represents its sovereign will
and through which It acis. Il is IN thia.
state, and tbs only, that maiofi' ny and mi
noritles ute known, ~ have. as such. any
t-hls. Whatever rights they possess. are
political rigbis, the whole class of 0h.ch
are neqnred. aHd are called conventional
that Is, rights derived from agreement or
compact, expressed implied How ah,
sufd, then, 81. Il to suppose the night Of a
majority 10 alter or abolish The Constitution
- natural ught.--A rght belonging TO
man regarded as eyjsting Ia State Of ma
tnr",--vhen. in that state, maiauDes aud
mlg4.itie- nfe uskuuwa.
: l., then, tbe righi Of the majarilv eyst
at OH, 1t must be as a conventional right,
ana fortunately for the decision Of The qpe..
.iou If +, ,esliy e,,., I'm ibst rban,tt, b,
our system tssfo vill he no d,di.oltr In
finding D.. The prov.deni foresight cot our
ane..t,r. be, mai l.n T., .orisct,,o or tu.
pli,nii,n. boa whom tho fisht T., abolish eoo.
situations. or form. of eoyern,.,ap,. ,..ii....
A. bee.. f.r ,ha tf ,.,.iti.to i.,,.,
t....f..--,.,e ,,,.,.1y rt.ae ts'a,a zoe
.,,ibc,i,y bv vbi-, itjs 10 o. avsf- SEQ
aud ,,.1, manner. is Designated ia ,he -ai.,
.,,p,iors ,bem.efyes Inall. if ms memory
t.a cor,oci Nh, agency of ibe Government
"a, soms form. b. r.rntrsd to alter or amend
,ha Constitution. in iev. uma, b, done
bv the State Iepl.ls,ater. according to the
forms prescribed. without the esr pres. sanc
tioa Of the people. hui jn all such eases,
iaota han "A mere numerical u,aIofltS OF the
members is re1n'ref. Tie most common
fo-,p is. through n invention vt tine people
ol ,,o State. 20 bo cafi,d be tho gi.h
tire thoreoi. ant 90 ite .,r rrCa.er uamtaf
two third. oi the Legislature ave necessary
to cali A Convention, and n all. the
d,h. af voting ter the members ut the
Convtrtion. or on DE ratfcaion OF the
Consultation. when sabmiited ,o ibc people
q restricted 10 ,hos, having the right 90
snfffaes under ia. existing Consultations
tI