Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-04-05

the position Of the officers of the Slatp Govern.
ment, and especially that portion who are mem
bers Of this Convention, has indeed been an
anomalous one. Have they still been nc,ing
under their oath to support the Constitution OF
the United States2 As your Executive, no mat
ter what my views may have been am bound
to reflect your expressed will. have cnlenyor
ed to do SO. We're l asked to swear TO support
your Constitution, might waive my objections
to the source from whence the oath came. J am
called upon TO swear to support the Constitution
and laws of the Confederate States, which have
never seen, and as your Chief Executive to render
my allegiance to that Government, when you
have never in any manner or form debated your
desire to become annexed to the same.
Fellow citizens, in the name of your tights and
liberties, which l believe have been trampled
upon, | refuse TO take this onlh. In tho maine
OIL the nationality Of Texas, which has been he
trayed By this Convention, / refuse to take this
oath. In the name Of the Constitution of Texas,
which has been trampled upon, refuse to tukc
this oath. ln the name Of my own conscience
and my manhood, which this Convention would
degrade by dragging before it, to pander to tue
malice Of my enemies, when by the Constitution
the privilege is accorded me, which belongs to
the humblest officer to take my oath ct Office
before any competent authority, refuse to take
this oath.
hul fthuy u Dt OhuhGlhtu hOuln1 lnhu SUD
nit In usurpatiOn. Office has no charms for me,
that ii must be purchased at the sacrifice Of my
conscience and the loss of my self-Tespect.
love Texas too we'll to bring civil strife and
bloodshed upon her. To avert this calamity
shall make no endeayor to maintain my authority
as Chief Executive Of this State, except by the
peaceful exercise of my functions When can
no longer do this, shall calmly withdraw from
the scene, leaving the Government in the hands
rl. Ln.. t.t
still claiming that am its Chief Executive.
expect the consequences of my refusal to
take this oath, My office will be declared vaca-
ted. II those who osiraoise me will be but as
true to tue interests of Texas rs have eLdcavor
ed to be- my prayers will attend them.
Fellow citizens, think not that | complain ai
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 10 unite it once again. l stand the last
almost of race who learned from their lips the
lessons of human freedom. 1 am stricken down
now because will not yield those principles
which have fought for and struggled to main
tain. The severest pang is that the blow comes
in the name Of the State Of Texas. | deny the
power of this Convention to speak for Texas.
hhfu iVeoiFeu ptVhs iVF nut huhe uhu I'm NlllluE
to do 10 again.
PROTEST. IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF
TEXAS, AGAINST ALL THE ACTS AND puiNus OF
THIS CONVENTION, AND DgoLAnE THEM NULL AND
VOID sOemnly protest against the act of its
members, who are hound by no oath themselves,
in declaring my office vacant because | refuse TO
appear before it and take the oath prescribed
1t hns accomplished its mission, aud its chief
object has been fulfilled. Ii to drive me from
office md defeat the will of the people is an
honor, it may wear it. To prevent my having
IN opportunity to send message TO the Legis-
laturv, which meets oil Monday March 10,
nm required 10 appear at its bar to-day and tnko
the TEST OATH. Even Shy'ock granted the full
three days before he claimed his pound Of flesh.
The Convention prescribed that time as the limit,
hut its President has been less gracious than
Shylock, aud camors for the bond before two
days are gone. II l am thus deprived of the
poor privilege of putting upon record my sent-
ments, through a refusal on the part of the
Legislature 10 receive my message, l will lay the
same before the people, and appeal to them, as
declared would do in my inaugural.
SAM HousroN.