New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-25
TEgAS.

While the pubic is entertained with rumois
from Washington Of discussions in the Cabinet
whether the country shall have peace or war, 1t
is az well to remember that there Is precisely
one thing. and one only, which the Government
Las any right TO do, namely: 10 execute the
laws, protect the public property, and inS're
their rights TO oil the citizens throughout That
Union which il is SWORN 10 govern. Ihi' Is
the only measure Of peace which it ia called upon
10 execute. and its enforcement is not a measure
Of war. The Administration az least do not need
70 be informed, however it may be with the
people, that it far exceeds its powers when 1t
initiates any policy locking to any breach in tho
integrity Of the Union, on the specions plea of
avoiding violence II il TO execute tte law where
il has the power; and where the power is want
iny, or whore such execution is likely 70 bring
about a state Of things not contemplated in the
Constitution, then the cojrdinste branch ri .he
Government is 10 he applied to Tor ad and
counsel.
Such, undoubtedly, Is The undertaking Of the
Government in relation to its duties, and the
public is simply perPlexing Itself with VAIN dis
cu.sons and laying up disappointment ioF the fl-
ture in admitting the possibility OF any other
course being open 70 tie Administration; and iIs
wisdom and necessity are justified, If AM iustii-
cation were necessary, BY the position Of affairs
in OH the Southern States at this Tomcnt ard
particularly in Texas. How can the Executive
branch IF the Government--the branch that eS-
ecutes, not makes, the laws-presume 70 decide
that the Union is hOpelcssly broken, and tha: we
have nothing to do but avoid collision with the
revolutonists, when certainly largo minority,
and for aueht that tho country knows, major
ity OF the people Of The Seeding States, are aP-
pealiug through press which i' still! able to
make Itself heard, and through individuals OF
weight and responsibility, that that Union which
thew so cherish will stin be patient and long
suffering with a Misguided community. E.Pe-
cislly Is this tho state Of affairs in Texas
Convention chosen simply for The purpose of passing
m ordinance Of Secession, if they could agree
TO do 80, that ordinance aitorwari, however, 70
be submitted TO the people, have usurpsd com
plcte rowers, sent delegates b the Congress at
Montgomery, and have Gercsed the Governor Of
the State. But have the people of FeSas made
up their minds defniti7cly 10 90 out of tho Fed
eral Union Nobody knows. Certsin Il Is That
Gen. Sam Houston, tho Governor, is ret disposed
70 submit 10 tho usurpation OF the Convention.
There il no doubt large cody Of the people who
yill second his resistance to is decrees IL may
be that Gen. Houston and his party VII choose,
after six months reflection, to remain in sbe
Union; II laay DO that they vii prefer Il they
90 out Of il, to establish separate Government
OF tLeir own; and il is ~ 40 means Impossible
that they will be majority Of The State, which
ever If these tIO courgr6 they may choose I"
follow. Dy what right or what reason, 'hen' can
We assume that tho whole question Is set'ed IN
Texas; that tho uHlrping party arc tae par! |"
the peopie. that we must abandon 10 them the
possession Of all tho Federal property which they
have gained either by treason or theit, est
soresoolb. somebody ,hould get hurt if the Exec
otiye al Washington shall assert the integrity ana
execute tie laws Of the Federal Govern
ment Ii 10 proper enough 70 give due
consideration IL the threats from the Border
States il coercion is resorted Tot Dut lot us
not FORGET TINT a coercion of the most imperative
and ou,tageous sort is ATTEMPTED TO DO exercised
Of this moment in Tcxas1T-ths coercion OF seee'-
sion. Let Texas have time 10 assert her Wlspes'
and lee MS not take the assertion OF Doey'
who's, lirst public act is q breach OF trust az hef
voice. If .ha really desires to 60 cut oil tue
lt,ion that is question to DO decided upon
when il is brought properly before che Whole
Government at washipgton-nct one branch OF
ID only--or. perhaps besSe0ls people but u