Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-04-12

a PATRIOTIC LETTER.-The following are
the closing sentences of the patriotic appeal Of
SAN HoUsToN, Governor Of Texas, to the peo-
pie of that State, upon his refusal to take the
oath Of allegiance to the Constitution prescribed
by self~constituted Convention of she so-cal- :
led Confederate States
Fellow-eitizens ia the name OF your rights
aud liberties, which | believe have been train
pied upon, refuse to take this oath. la the
name of he nationality Of Texas, which has
been betrayed by this convention, refuse to
take this oath. In the B9me of the Godstitu-
ton Of Texas, which has been trampled upon,
| refuse to take this oath. Io the name OF my
own conscience and my manhood, which this
Convention would degrade BY dragging before
ii, to pander to the malice of my enemies, when
by the Constitution the privilege is accorded
to me, which belongs to the humblest ofioer.
to ssake my oath of office before any compel ut
authority, ] refuse to take this oath.
| am ready 20 be ostracIssd sooner than SUBJ
nit to usurpatiou Oise has no charms for
ms that it must be purchased at lha sssridee
of my conscience and the loss of my self re-
spect.
! love Texas too we'll to bring civil strife
aud blood shed upon her. To avert this calam-
it's, shall make no endeayor to maintaiu my
authority as chief executive of the State, except
by the peaceful exercise Of my functions.--
When can no longer do this | shall calmly
withdraw from the scene, leaving the Govern
ment in the hands of those WAC have usurped
its authority; but stil claiming that am It's
ohiei executive.
expect The consequences of my refusal 10
take this oath. My Office will be declared va
Gated. 1t those who ostraclse me will be but
as true to the interests of Texas as have en-
deavored 10 be, my prayers will att, nd them.
Fellow ciilzens, thiok not that / co pplai1
at The lot which Providence has assigned me-
1t is perhaps but meet that my career should
close thus. have seen that patriots and
Statesman OF my youth gathered to their fathers,
and the governmant which they bad reared rent
IN twain; aud none like them are left to unto
il once again. | stand the last almost of
race, who learned from tneir lips the lessons
of human freedom. [ am stricken dawn now
because will not yield those principles which
bave fought for aud struggled to maintain.
Tbs severost pang il, that t5e blow comes in
the name Of the State OF Texas. / deny the
the power of this Convention TO speak for Tex
as. | have received blows for hor sake. and
am willing to do so again.
protest, iu the name of the people of Tex
as, agasnst all the acts aud doiugs Of this con-
vention, aud declare them null and void. /
solemniy Protes, agaiost the acts Of its mom-
bers who are bound by no oath themselves, in
declaring my Office vacant, because refuse to
appear before il aud taks the oath prescribed.
1t has accomplished its mission, and It's chief
object has beeu fulfilled. II to drive me from
Office and defeat the will of the people is an
honor, il may wear it. To prevent my having
an opportunity to send message to tao Leg
islature, which meets on Monday, March 18th
| am required TO appear at its bar to-day and
take the test oath. Even Shylock granted the
full three days ere he claimed bis pound flesh.
The convention prescribed that time as .hs
limit, bu. its president has been less gracious
than Shylock, and cbmors fer the bond ere
two days are gone. If sm thus deprived of
the poor privilege Of pa:tiug upon record my
sentiments, through refusal on tho part Of
the Legislature to receive my message, / will
lay the same before the people, and appeal to
them, as declared ! would do in my inaugu-
raj.
CAnp PLoID CONE Camp Floyd has gone