Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-10-06
Remarks of the Hon. J. X. P. Record,
from Dallas, on the Bill for Frontier
Protection, made in the Senate, Sep
temher 10Th. 1865,


tember 18th, 1866.
The question under consdera-
ton. being the adoption of the re-
port of Special Committee on the
Bill for Frontier Protection, the
Senate went into Committee of the
Whole, upon the motion to substi-
tuto the minority for the majority
report.
Senator RECORD said: Mr.. Chair
man, congratulate myself and the
people of our frontier, for the inter-
esting speech delivered by the SEN
ator who has just taken his seat,
but especially do l congratulate the
citizens of Gonzales, for the able
representation they have furnished
in the councils Of the State. The
Honorable Senator has laid down
the true doctrine. He raises him
self above and superior to the sell
fish considerations of sectional pride
and prejudice, and looks upon this
vast State as one and inseparable in
interest, and every portion his own
country.
There can be but two questions to
determine in this matter. First.
Does our frontier need protection =?
And second. How can we most et-
fectually give it? The cost is a
matter of secondary consideration !;
protection, full and ample, they
must have. do not stand here as
the advocate of the House bill, the
Senate bill, nor any particular meas
ure. l stand here to plead for the
protection of our bleeding frontier,
and if life is preserved, never shall
my voice be stilled until tits accom-
plished.
have listened patiently to the
Senators who are advocating the
minority report. If their bill be
sufficient, it is all we ask. The
people of the frontier ask no more.
All they demand is protection, and
daily and hourly they implore us to
give it. Honorable Senator's say
they must and shall have troops ;
vet we find them trammeling the
bill in every possible shape, to re-
tard its passage. impugn the mo-
tives of no Senator; but l ask, why
is this bill referred, re referred, and
recommitted, and its passage delay
ed, day after day, when every mes
senger from the border brings new
tales of blood and devastation ?
Why is it thrown into the teeth of
the friends of this measure, that it
has been foisted upon the Senate, in
the place of others more important?
What are those more important
measures Perhaps the stay law,
or some railroad relief bill. Will
Senators thus trife with human
blood2 Will not those far in the
interior, where themselves and fam
lilies are secure, desist for a time
pressing the necessity of stay
law, or relief bills, and turn their
attention to the supplications and
appeals of our unprotected frontiers
mani Ifthey do not, they are re-
creant to every trust reposed in
them by a brave and generous con-
stituency. ~
But / desire to notice the argu-
ment of the Senator from Collin.
He says from calculation, he finds
that every wild Indian killed has
cost the State more than s35, goo.
/ have made no calculation, but if 1
mistake not, the State has never
expended over two hundred thous-
and dollars, prior TO 1861, for from
tier protection, and il is the bound
en- duty of the United States Govern
ment to reimburse the whole a.
mount. lay down this PROPOSE
ton, and defy any Senator to con-
trovert it: If the State Of Texas is
a State in the Union, it is the i'm
parative duty Of the Federal Gov
ernment to protect her whole bor-
der; and / verify believe that eve
~ dollar that may be expended un-
der this bill, will be restored TO the
uttefmost by the General Govern
ment. The figures of the Seastor
must be incorrect. According 70
his calculation, only FIVE and a frae-
ton Of Wild Indians have been kill
cd. while see On ny right an hon
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