Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-31
THE TExAs o-0NvENrIox.

AN1IANt TEXAS March l-
It wss generally conceded that as soon
as the Legislative bill was disposed ofthe
ordinance repeating the ordinance Of Sc
cession would occupy but very little time.
Few, if any, speeches were expected, n
argument on the question was in no way
anticipated. But these expectations and
conjectures were not realized. On the
contrary, the mO~stelabOrate s~peechesand
lengthy arguments were prepared n
delivered by every prominent delegate IN
the convention. Secession in the abstract
and as a policy was discussed every day
and evening during the past week.
On Tuesday afternoon this grave Ques-
ton came IN, and each report was read,
when Mr.. Pascal, Of San Antonio, opened
the debate in favor Of the minority re-
port. strongly urging that the act Of Sc
cession was null and void Ob 1litiO.
Mr.. Porter took issue with him and
spoke quite briefly in favor Of the ma
jority report.
Tie whole Of the evening session was
consumed by an deliberately prepared
speech by Mr.. Flanagan, and Wednes-
dav and Thursday and Friday were each
spent in discussing the right OF secession,
but to-day the Convention is determined
10 bring the question 10 a vote.
Judge Roberts spoke in favor of the
majority report, and advocated State
rights with as much zeal as be did in the
secession convention Of 1851,
Judge Hancock followed him with a
very strong and eloquent speech, taking
The following grounds: First-That Sc
cession vas wrong from the beginning.
Second-Al rights that can be regularly
and legitimately exercised by the people,
or officials for them, must be in virtue
Of authority derived either from the Fed
ersl OF State Constitutions or laws made
in pursuance of one Orthe other. Third
There can no where be found any W.
ran Of authority in either cOnstir Ition.
or laws passed under them for u O. act IF
secession. FOurth-If any g.Icb rigbt
exists. then it Is out Of, aud bevond Inc
laws, and necessarily revolutionary and
any attempt at It's exercise would be a
revolution. he then defined revoIu-
ton. and drew the line batuaaD
revolution and rebellion, and he said
that success sanctities a revolution and
renders all valid from the beginning. and
in like manner failure reverts to the very
inception, and renders everything de-
pendent upon il void. He took. he said
The same ground that the President did
and he said 10 was the duty of every del
egate in the Convention 10 come to roa
support Of him. Judge Hancock 81 o.
for nearly two hours, and was list % ~
with the closest attention. Hfs % ncln1
sion was very eloquent, speak inc arr1Iy
Of the soldier and the fight thg.t was
made. ~
Mr.. Norton also spoke with great
warmth, and his urgent appeaI - tba
~0elegateS % cone up square 70 the sup
port OF the resident met with great IA
vor: he read to the Convention the fol-
lowing dispatch, which Governor Ham,
uIOn had received from the President:
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is. ISS.
10 1oY.A J. Hamilton, Austin, Texas:
L was highly gratified to receive vour
dispatch and 70 hear that YOU Cor ven
ton was organized. Ihope all vii e1J
We'll IL lsoi The utmost importay ,ca tbot
the proceedings Of your C~Onve-,tioD IL
prudent and of the most femme -
acter' indicating loyalty, and of the e.
tlre Willingness TO acknowledge the a.
premacy Of the Constitution and If ~
obedience 20 the laws OF the L,
States. Alled
You no doubt understand +ba U
OF affairs here, and much iii 5enID5
upon the future proceedir uePsuu
venti0n. l am stiu hov Gui On
bera and rbsr I1,sI = a different turn
h. admitted "a IA representatives viii
% Gsrs e their seats in the
-dOu from all the States.
DREW JOHNSON.
PRESIDENT OF the United States
Mhn Of the speeches and entreaties