Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-05-04
Weaverviiie, California, Saturday, May 4, 1861

| How THE BRAVE OLD TEXAN FEELs.-Governor
Houston, who has been formally deposed from
office by the act OF the late Secession Convention.
and in an elaborate Address appeals from the
usurping Convention to the People of Texas.
We quote the concluding paragraphs of his Ad-
dress, which is dated at the Executive Depart
ment, March l6, 1861:
"Fellow citizens, in the name of your rights
and your liberties, which | believe have been
trampled upon, refuse to take this oath. In the
name of the nationality of Texas, which has been
betrayed by this Convention, refuse to take this
OATH In the name of my own conscience aud my
manhood. which this Convention would degrade
by dragging before it, to pander to the malice OF
my enemies when by the Constitution the privi-
lege is accorded me, which belongs to the hum
blest officer, to take my oath OF Office before any
| competent authority, refuse to take this oath.
! am ready to be ostracised sooner than submit
! to usurpaton. Office has no charms Tor me, that
it must be purchased at the sacrifice of my con-
science and the loss of my self respect. love
Texas too well to bring civil strife and boodshed
upon her. To avert this calamity, shall make
no endeavor to maintain my authority as Chiei
Executive Of this State, except by the peaceiul
exercise OF my functions When can no longer
do this shall calmly withdraw from the scene,
leaving the Government in the hands of those
who have usurped its authority; but still claim
ing that am its Chief Executive. | expect the
consequence of my refusal to take this oath My
Office will be declared vacated Ii those VINO
ostracise me will be but as true to the interests
of Texas as | have endeavored to be, my prayer
will attend them.
Fellow citizens, think not that complain at
the lot which Providence has now assigned me.
1t is perhaps but meet that my career should
close thus. | have seen the patriots aud states
men of my youth, one by one, gathered to their
fathers, and the Government which they had
reared rent in twain; and none like them are
left TO unite ii once more again stanu the last
almost of a race, who learned from tncir iips the
lessons of human freedom. | am stricken down
now because | will not yield those principles
which have fought for and struggled 10 main
tain The severest pang is that The blow comes
| in the name of the State of Texas. uehy 'ne
power of this Convention to speak Tor Iexas
have received blows for her sake ana am Wiling
to do SO again.
| protest in the name of the people of Texas
against all the acts and dongs of this Convention
and declare them null aud void | soiemniy
protest against the acts OF its members VINO are
bound by no oath themselves, in declaring my
Office vacant because refuse to appear peiore u
and take the oath prescribed 1t has accomplish
ed its mission, and its chief object mas been lui,
| filled If to drive me from Office, anu 10 ueIeat
the will of the people, is an honor, 1t may wear
it, To prevent my having an opportunity 10
send message to the Legislature, which meets
on Monday March 18th, am required TO appear
at its bar o-day and take the TEST OATH. even
Shylock granted the full three days ere he claim,
ed his pound of flesh. The Convention prescribed
that time as the limit, but its President has been
less gracious than Shyock, and clamors for the
bond ere two DAYS are gone. 1t | am thus de-
prived of the poor privilege of putting upon
record my sentiments, through refusal on lhe
part OF the Legislature TO receive any message,
! / will lay the same before the people, ana appear
| 10 them as | declared | would do in my inaugu'
raj. SAM HousroN'