The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-19
SMiscel1auenMs.
Address of Gen. Hamilton to the
People OF the State Of Texas.

Address of Gen. Hamilton to the
People OF the State Of Texas.
We fnd in the New Orleans Era the adj
dress of Governor Hamilton 10 the pc pie Of
Texas, issued upon his arr val rece ty in
that State. The address is cha &C Q. zsd by
great ability and force, presenting in clear
terms the folly of secession. and the duty of
standing by the Government in its struggle
with treason. The address opens as follows:
"CIrIzENs OF Texas: Through the instru-
mentality of ambitious Gnd designing men,
you have been, for more than two and
half years, engaged in rebellion against the
Government of the United States. Hunted
as felon, and expelled the State because
would not join the conspiracy to overthrow
free government, now, after an exile Of
eighteen months, return to it charged with
the duty oforganizing such provisi nal State
government as may be best calculated to
aid in restoring you to the blessings of civil
liberty.
when You were forced, by a minority,
into rebellion, you were in the enjoyment Of
every blessing ever conferred by civil gov
ernment upon men. Not single wrong had
you ever suffered f om the Go,e.nmen -
You had liberty, peace, prosperity, and
were in the daily and undisturbel pursuit
of happiness You will not fail to remem-
ber the promises of the rebel leaders, nor
the predictions of loyal men. After an ex-
perence so sad in it. results-so horrible in
its details-I call you to answer, who dealt
truthfully with your"
PROMISES AND FULFILMENT.
Governor Hamilton then recounts some OF
the promises by the rebel leaders to the peo-
pie of Texas, namely, that secession was
rightful and peaceful remedy, for antieipa-
ted evils; that the South had but to strike to
secure the help and sympathy Of the world,
which recognized cotton as kiAg;' that the
North would not ami cvuld not fight southern
men, and that, in case Of war, the Northern
States would immediately crumble to pieces /;
and shows that none Of these pr, mises ha e
been fulfilled, while all the preuiauons Of ii :
aster made by those who opposed disunion
have actually come to pass. Thus, as to the
prophecy ot UniQn men as to the efect ut re-
: beliion on slavery. Governor lI"4lailt'
says:
You were told that the institution ofslave
ry owed to the vsrnment of the United
[ States all the liberation and consideration
which it ever had in the civilized world
and that, if left TO combat the public senti'
ment of mankind alone upon its merits II
would 80 dowH that wha ever might be the
Intention of the leaders in rebellion, they
wound ultimately be forced to the alternative
of making the new government a despotlsm
that the people would MT long tol9. at' 50
disastrous a change in their Interests and
, happiness, unless compelled by force. We
said that cotton was not king; that brea
had individuals and of natiens; that mont
, of the governments of the old world coulC
J afford to jeopardize their moral status BY
openly aiding in the establishment OF gov
ernment for the perpetuty OF slavery; b1
that France and England would avail them
selves of every opportunity to encourage CIV
war here in tho hope that the power anC
influence of republican government on thu
continent might be broken aud destroyed
that Mexico would be viot mized by one o.
both of these governments while they we're
; engaged in domestic strife.
4 1--WE said the Revolution would soon prov
to the non-slave owner that it was not wa
in the interest of his class, but IN the lnteres
u of the slave owner, and destined to result II
: the distranchsement Of the poor, and thu
compel them, in seli-defence, to become tn
stern and unc mpromising opponents OF slav'
ry. We warned you tha. the boasted weaIt
N of the South was nJt and could not be MAD
II available in the contemplated struggle; th'
y the institution Of slavery, unlocked by Il
~ clash of arms, would deliver within Il
~ lines of the South, as the Greeian horse
within the walls Of Troy, hostile force
u its very citadel; that the government w
}" strong and would exelt its strength for Il
I'D sunnression of the rebellion that the 1851
Is wonld Mt last be between slave arlst0cra'
AZ and Democrat republic.
OK "Citisens of Texas, let truth be betwet
Cd rs. Again call upon you to answer, who
= nrOmiSeS haF9 Ialleut anu niiNSS P'SN'~O-
On have been verified? If single promI
made by the rebel leaders has been realize
n | challenge you to name it! What has bee
ev your realization of liberty under the reb
at rule?"
w THE PENALTIES OF REBElLIoN.
th Governor Hamilton next Exhibits the di
u asters which have allowed Secession:
:" "You have either been denied the right
at carry your cotton and other piolucts to d
J" only market open to yOu-the Mexican be
ID der-or you have when there, been sham
lessly plundered by Government agents al
rs, military commanders, who have thus secur
e's for themselves fortunes now safely deposit
Ill in foreign countries, and which they expf
i've to enjoy while you suffer the evils viii
at they have entailed upon you. Taxation
r..-. boe haa,, vieifed 1n0n Won d