Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-05
TIE UsCRPArIoHs or TIE CONVENTION

My worst anticipatiops TO the assumption Of
] power by this Convention have been realized. To
enumerats all its usurpatoBs would be impossible
Us great portion OF its proceedings have bnep in
secret. This much hss been revealed.
! 1t has elected delegates 20 the Prcvitoos'
! council Of the Confederate States. 81 Mcnt.ogn-
! err before Texas had withdrawn from tie Union
! ~ i who 30 the 2i day Of March annexed Te1ss
/ 60 toe Confederate States and Constitutes them
.eves members Of Congress, when it was not
| officially known by the Convention until .he ath
OF March, that a majority Of the people mad voted
in favor Of secession. While portion of the del
egates representing Texas in the Congress OF
tbs Confederate States, two Cf them, still claim
! Ing 10 &c United States Senators, have c ntinucd
/ 70 represent Texas in tao United States Senate,
under the administration of Sir. Lincoln ar sd-
ninistraiion Shat the Tocpie CT Texas have de-
cared oGcus snd It 10 be borne. Yet Texas has
been exposed 70 ooloquy and forced TO occupy the
ndc1lous attitude before tie world, OF attempt
inl to maintain her petition as one Of tho Uuited
states, aad az the same tine claim 10 lie one Of
tie Confederate States.
II has created Committee OF Safety, portion
Of whom have assumed the Executive powers Of
the government, and TO Tupplant the executive
authority, have entered into negotiations with
federal officers. This committee and commission
acting under 1t, have caused the federal TROOPS
10 he removes from posts ia the country exposed
10 Indian depredations. They have usurpeI the
poSeTs to draw these troops from tn frontier. as
3 consee uenoe, the vail OF women and children is
heard Upoa lac border. Devastation and ruin has
come upon TIE people.
Ghis committee If safety has brought danger
Instead OF safety. 1t has involved the state il an
enormous expense foT army where 10 army was
noeded, and left unprotected those who needed
P election.
II has assumed TO appoint agents to foreign Staies
aud created orces, military and civil unanown 10
I hp IL NJ
ings
This Convention has deprived the people of
right know Its doings by holding It's sessions in
secret
1t has declared by ordinance that the people Of
texas ratify the Constitution of the Provisional
Government Of the Confederate states, and has
char ged the State Constitution, and established
oath" Of allegiance TO the Confederate States
requiring all persons now in ofbce TO take the
same, or suffer the penalty Of removal from of6ce
actusted BY spirit OF petty tyranny, it has re-
CURED the Executive and portion Of the other
officers at the seat OF Government, to appear at It's
bar at a certain hour ami take the same
Lave declared my determination TO stand by
Texas in whatever position she assumes. Her peO-
pie have declared in favor of separation from the
Union. / have fol owed her banners before, when !
an exile from the land Of my fathers went back |
into the Union with the People of Texas. 90 out |
from the Union with them; aud though / can SEQ |
out gloom before me, shall follow the Lone |
S'ar with the same devotion as of yore.
may not be sustained now h,t ,,b,, mil
lions OF oeot press upon you, when the United |
States bonds forming your tchool fund have H.
squan6ered, and the money upon which vour -
sent school system is based is gone when -,
pu bic domain is wasted, and taxes are ground |
out Of YOU some. at least, will remember that |
attempted 10 save you from these consequences.
Will the people reflect upoL the circumstances
attending the election of these delegates and ask
themselves whether they conferred upon them the
powers they have assumed? Was
aught said about changing the Constitution of the
State, or appointing delegates to Provisional |
Govern ment, with power to constitute themselves |
members of Congress! Was the power conferred |
TO make Texas a part of the Southern Confederacy,
without referring the to vote OF the people!
Yet, these powers have not only been claimed but |
executed
You have been transferred like sheep from the |
shambles. government has been fastened upon
you, which is to be supported from your pockets,
and yet you have not been consulted.
You are to support q constitution which ignores
the very name Of the people, and to 60 into gov
ernment where you are to pay tribute to King
Cotton, and enjoy the privilege of equality, until
you are involved so far that independence will be
impossible, and you will be ready to put the State
IF Texas with her territory equal in extent to all
the other cotton states at the Of the confeder
ICY, on the terms of a slave basis. This is the
programme marked out for you.
WILL NOT TAKE THE REQUIRED OATH.
Were asked to swear TO support your Consti-
ution, might waive my objections TO the source