Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-08-18

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and property guaranteed them by
our Amended Constitution. The
day is not far distant, in my judg'
mont, wcon tho black people will be
convinced that their trucst friends
arc those with whom they have
sportcd in youth, and who have
cared for them from their infancy,
shall give the subject the closest
attention, and shall not fail, from
time to time, to make such suggcs-
tions as experience may dictate, in
order to render this class of our
population useful to themselves and
the country.
The condition OF tho frontier shall
receive my serious attention. AT
the earliest moment, | shall cndcav-
or to secure from the General Gov
crnment adequate and permanent
protection, and will, at the same
time, use every cxcrtion to have
such treaties, made by the proper
authorities, as will insure future Sc
curity to the people. In the event,
q sufficient number of troops cannot
be procured from the Government,
for the protection of the frontier, |
shall not hesitate to urge oXpendi-
lures by the State for this purpose.
The people of that region, have al
ready suffered with a patience and
fortitudc truly commondable. They
arc bulwark to tho older settled
portions of the country, and if they
give way, and are broken up in
their homes, the loss of life and
property, so long borne by them,
will fall upon sections now enjoying
peace and prosperity.
The prompt and efficient admin
stration of the laws, their enforce
ment, and the protection Of the life,
liberty and property of the citizens;
due obedience to the Constitution
aed laws of the General Govern
ment, with q firm and just maintcn-
ance of the rights of the State an
carly redemption of liabilities al
ready incurred, contracting no new
ones, without making adequate
provision for their payment, with
an endeavor to place the credit of
the State at the highest possible
standard; reforms in the laws, reg
ulating the assessment and collec-
ton of taxes, so as to place tho
burthens of taxation equally upon
the people; retrcnchment in the en-
ponditure of the public money in
every branch of the Government,
where it can be done with propricty,
recurring theinterest due the School
Fund to be paid, with as much leni-
ency to Railroad Companies as a
prudent regard for the fund, and
the general interest of the country,
will allow; the reorganization Of
the common school system, and the
establishment of a State University,
at the earliest period compatible
with the depressed financial condi-
ton of our affairs; liberal encour-
agement to internal improvements; ;
fostering the charitable institutions,
provided for the allcviation of tho
suffering, and the Improvement of
the afflicted and unfortunate portion
of our population; an earnest desire
to assuago party rancor, engendered
by political differences, and to pro,
mote harmony and good feeling
among the people; and a detcrmi-
nation to satisfy the authorities Of
the General Government, that the
people of Texas are Loyalty disposed,
earnestly desirous ofan carly restor-
alton, and worthy of it on Just and
liberal terms; animated by such
sentiments, I shall ondcavor to con-
duct the affairs of the Government
so as to promote the happiness and
general welfare Of the peoplein eve
nv section Of the State.
1t is known to my follow wcitizcns,
that I was opposed to the secession
of the Southern States from the
Federal Union, and eXertcd what
influence 1 had to prevent it, and,
as q delegate in the Convention OF
1861, voted against the Ordinance
which declared the separation. 1t
would be useless consumption of
time to enumerate the reasons that
impellcd me to this course. Devoted
as / was, and still am, to that Gov
ornment which the blood Of my
ancestors had contributed to rear,
for the protection of the rights of
man, and accustomed, from earliest
boyhood, to look upon the Flag of
the Union as the proudcst symbol
of freedom, I turned, with horror,
from the bloody vision of civil war
that crowded on my sight. But
while l regarded secession as i'm
politic and ruinous, L looked with
scarcely less dread upon that doc.
trinc which asserted an underlined
and unlimited power in the General
Government to use its military froce
against the States of the Union
When the appeal to arms, was made,
however, 1 pursued what seemed to
me the path of duty. L followed the
fortunes of a majority of my fellow
citizens. and shared with them, the
fate of the conflict. Others, who
entertained sentiments similar to
nv own, took different views ofthcir
duty. accord to them, motives as
pure and patriotic, for their action,
as | claim for myself. Now, that the
contest is over. / have felt it to be
the most sacred duty of patriotism,
10 labor in restoring peace and har-
mony to an afflicted and suffering
country. The people of tins state
are alike impressed with this sent-
ment, and should it be the unhappy
-