American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-08-16
FROM TEXAS.
Address by Governor Hamilton.


m Mt the Court House. The Governor
assented. He appeared at the hour ap,
oo;nted when an address was delivered
on the mart of the Committee by Judge
G. Caldwell, of NaVasota, to which the
Governor responded.
ADDRESS TO THE COMMITTEE
GOVERNOR: We have been solicited
as n committee of the Loyal Union AS
ISOLATION of Galveston and vicinity to ex,
tend your Excellncy a cordial greeting
and welcome, in their behalf. Many OF
them, like yourself, have long been ex'
lies from the endearments Of home, and
all those associations which render life
sweet and agreeable. You are not unac,
ouainted with their sufferings and then
wrongs. Others again, from circumstan'
ces over which they could exercise nc
control were prevented from leaving the
scenes of their misfortunes.
You have not failed, however, to learn
from fugitive patriots the story of their
persecutions-how hundreds were cruel
" treated, and many murdered for their
devotion to the Union of their fathers
1t is, therefore, with no ordinary emotion
they welcome you back to the State
heartily rejoicing in your selection as our
Provisional Governor. We have an
abiding faith, Governor, that under your
Administration Union sentiment will be
fostered and maintained, and Union men
find in you protector and friend. Now
that the terrible strife is over, your wis
dom has been verified by the result
Your patriotism by the tenacity with
which you cling to the emblems of your
country sovereignty and power, which
now proudly floats over all armed oppo-
sition.
The sacrifice upon the altar of liberty
has indeed been great, but coming gene
.ratons will regard it as not having been
made in vain, if we are but true to the
obligations that lay so plainly before us.
With the mind unfettered free press
and free speech, with civil governments
restored to us upon the basis Of just re-
ward Cor labor and human liberty, its
natural progress we may in all confidence
look forword to a career of unparalleled
prospects for our common country.
We tender you, Governor, our cordial
and Jealous support in the discharge of
your duties, and in upholding the nation
al authority.
J. r. Romaine, A. Allen, S. Murrison,
-Prosh, j. Burk, Committee.
RESPONSE OF GOV. HAMILTON.
JUDGE CALDWELL: For this kind
welcome by the Union Association and
citizens of Galveston, | have no language
that will adequately express my feelings
can only say to you and to those you
representa- thank you.
Fellow citizens, to be permitted once
more to stand upon Texas soil and thus
address you, fills me with emotion. l well
remember when, and under what circum-
stance, | last addressed public audi
ence in this city. 1t was in November,
1860, when organized Rebellion was first
beginning. Even then l was informed
it would not be pleasing to those who
were in favor of disruption of the Gov
ernment for me to speak at all. But in
the hope of effecting some good, l did
speak at the Market House all public
halls being refused me-and those here
now who can testify how earnestly, on
that occasion, | labored to dissuade the
people of this city from any participation
in the proposed Rebellion. But the
teachings of the dominant party in the
South had done its work--reason was
powerless, passion was in the ascendant
TO such lengths had perverted doctrines
of States Rights gone, that in the pre-
ceding Spring the Democratic party of
Texas held convention in this city, in
which, among other things, it was sol
emnly resolved that Texas, in anDexing
herself to the United States, surrendered
none of her original sovereignty, but only
created her an agent for the purpose of
exercising certain powers for her during
her pleasure; that she was a mere attor-
ney, in fact, acting under the authority
of, and revocable at the pleasure of Tex
as. The revolutionary teachers not only
claimed legal and political right to Sc
cede, but asserted that it would be peace
full in its character and would not involve
war. The argument was that, inasmuch
as the compact of union was between in
dependent States voluntarily entered into,
they could in the exercise of the same
independence, secede from il at pleas
urc. The very reason urged an unans
werable argument against the right