Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-06-23
rho Amendment 10 lho ConlllIlll0n1

article On The Amendments 10 ihe tousiiiu'
ton, eislh 9 teas0na why ihs ptple sbsuld
adopt them, FROM which We extract very
largely below
uThsre Ia one significant feet ilai o'nhol
fall 10 arrest public attention Tue fsiioai
faction OF this State hove made u An issue
in the canvass. The violence NJ their op-
position 10 the work OF the Convention,
leads to the suspicion HAT they have mn VI
terror purpose TO subserye Ia the accom-
plishment Of its overthrow.
To determine what that Is, u is only nee
ossary TO examine the grounds Of their op-
position, and the objects which they have
in view. In this we are not left to conjee'
ture. They are frankly stated by their
leaders. LIST. The Convention fidlcd 70
provide for negro suffrage, either immedl-
ately or at subsequent period. End. II
Incorporated the word white in Section 2nd,
Article 10th of the Constitutions thus gly-
ing the entire perpetual school fund OF
the State TO the race 10 which 1t properly
belongs. Ord. 1t gave the negro the fight
to testify orally in the Courts OF justice IN
all cases in which he or one OF his race had
n personal interest but failed TO give him
the right to testify by deposition or 10 ap-
pear In cases where white men alone were
interested. In other words, the distinction
of race was maintained, so far us to pre-
vent jealousy or conflict 4th. IL failed TO
declare the secession ordinance null and
void from the BEGINNING, aud thereby af-
fix upon the people Of the State the stigma
of having acted wrong, knowingly and
willfally, 9th, II passed an ordinance,
protecting against prosecution and suit the
persons and property of individuals acting
during the war under the direction OF the
authorities then controlling the country;
which was nothing more than reaiiirming
n settled principle of public law.
Is II should be remarked, that upon these
distinct Issues, and without reference to
the objections generally urged, Gov. Hamil-
ton has appealed from tho action of the Con-
vention to the people, with the intention OF
having, as he hns stated, these provisions
set aside, and substituted by others salts
factory TO himself and his radical friends.
Several Of the provisions to which he so
strenuously Objects are Incorporated in
the ordinances, and intended by the Con-
yention as final In what way, then does
Gov. Hamilton and his friends expect to
have them set aside? Is there not reason
to believe, that if the new Constitution is
rejected, he will regard the entire work Of
the Convention as nullity. If he should
make his decision, may it not become nee
essary, before the State can be relieved Of
the existing military rule, and be allowed
to enter unobstructed, upon the discharge
of its civil administration, that another
Convention shall be held and new Con-
stitution made, TO be again submitted to tho
people for ratification or rejection The
cali for such Convention can only ema-
nate from the Governor, and it is possible,
if not probable, he may find many plausi-
bic reasons for failing or refusing to pro
vide for such contingency. There is ev-
ery reason to believe that he will hold on
to his power as long as he possibly can, and
untilhe has fully accomplished the objects
he has in view. ..a.e y t.a.
=, When we reflect that his friends, who
have been disappearing the State at
Washington, have been endeavoring to i'm
press upon the President and the Federal
authorities, that the people of Texas ar
disloyal, and unfit to be trusted with civil
government, and that the. seeming purpose
Of the radical party in this State, in all
their speeches, addresses, and letters, eth
err at home OF sent abroad, have been to en-
force this idea, the question naturally arises.
Is it safe for the people of the State to place
themselves in n position where they would
be again completely in the power of these
men? or is it not the part Of wisdom, to re-
organize at once the State Government, re-
lying uponii future for the correction of
such defects as may be found in the new
Constitution?
: . The Con yention having performed its Ia
hors, sent,u delegation to call upon the
President al Washington, with copy of
the new Constitution and ordinances adop-
ted, and 10 inform him of the loyal feeling
existing in the State. How will it appear,
and what will be the effect upon the mind
of the President, when he learns that the |
people have rejected the work of their del
egates? If the new Constitution, then, is
rejected, will Gov Hamilton vacate the Of
flee in favor of Mr.. Throckmorton, and
committhe authority of the State to the
agents selected by the people? At least, |
will not majority of the people have fur
nished him q pretext to disregard their
wishes? This, as we conceive, IS matter
worthy Of consideration.
The objections urged against the adop-
tion Of the new Constitution, SO far as we
have heard, have been directed against The
increased salaries of the judges, AMI the |
extension of their terms Of ONCE, the
change in the number Of Supreme udges
from three to five; and the enlargement OF
the powers and jurisdiction of the County
Court and with these, the increase in the
cxrerses of the State Government. Grant
that these objections are we'll founded, and
4 hat the provisions complained of are as
obnoxious as represented, is it advisable to
hazard our palitical safety and all the good
work accomplished by the Convention, or to
first organize our State Government and
for the prople thus to get the power in
their own hands, when the remedy can be
effected by Legislative enactments, ratified
by the popular vote?
There are many good provisions in the
new Constitution, which it seems TO us 1t
would be exceedingly unwise to reject
Among these are the articles in reference
10 education and to internal improvements.
Under the first, perpetual school fund" is
created, that cannot be alienated, which, in
q few years, will be sufficiently large to es-
tablish n system Of free schools throughout
the State; and, under the second, with any
thing like proper legislative management,
the entire territory of Texas can be soon
ramifed by railroads. These salutary and
wise provisions alone, should be sufficient
10 secure the ratification Of the new Con.
stitution. Besides these, there are several
other important changes, meriting commen-
dation, to which we cOu d allude did our
limits permit.
We propose to say a few words in refer
ence to the. objections urged against the
new Constitution. 4
1t is q we'll known fact that, with few
executions, the best legal talent has not
hitherto been employed on the Bench, and
for the obvious reason, that the best law
vers could make more money by their prac-
lice. If a sensible man has an important
suit 10 decide, he employs the very best
LAWYER he can get. Can any one-give q
good reason why communities, who are