Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-14
AFFAIRS In TEXAS.
Radical Outrages upon the Lib
critics of the People.
Their COwardly Purposes and
Designs. ailrg

The recent action of the Radicals, now
having control of the State of Texas, is
SO outrageous that the Conservatives mem
bers of the Legislature and several cit
zens at large, have united in an address
to the people, setting forth their griev-
ances, and suggesting remedy for the
wrongs inflicted upon them. Like the
people of North Carolina, they are over
powered with debt, and are threatened
with military despotism of the worst
character. But the result of these
Vaccinations in North Carolina will en-
courage the people of other Sourhern
States to vote down The tyrants at the
ballot box, and in this manner bring about
peaceful revolution. The address says:
"We deem it prudent to warn you of
the dangers that threaten our peace, pros
perity and liberty; and to suggest a rem
edy for the evils, and lay down course
for the overthrow of the -man-pOwer
that is seeking to fasten itself upon the
people" .. .
In arraigning the acts of the Radicals,
among other things, the address states:
'They have expelled from the Legisla-
ture duly elected and qualified members,
whose only offense was opposition to their
usurpations and despotic measures, and
have seated in their places persons who
were not elected by a majority of the vot-
ers.
'By false and scandalous statements
regarding lawlessness and crime, concOct-
ed as an excuse for assuming des-
potic power, they have injured the pres
perity of our State by deterring immi-
grafton. -@
''They have authorized the appoint
ment by the Executive of special po-
lice force of two hundred and fifty men
and officers, TO prey upon the people, the
expense and maintenance of which alone
will cost two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. This force is chosen by the Ex-
ecutiVe and placed under his command.
'They have established laws for regis
tration and elections which give the Ex
ecutlve the power to appoint all the OFF,
GERS and managers thereof, and clothe him
and the Secretary of State with power to
cast aside the returns of any county they
may find necessary to retain the control
of official positions in the Stale govern
ment and extending to all officers elected
by the voice of the people.
''They have passed through the House
of Representatives, and are urging before
the Senate, bills in effect extending their
own terms of office beyond the limits
prescribed by the Constitution, thus de-
priving US of representation in Congress
after the 4th of March next. And they
unblushingly proclaim, through their rec
Ognized official organ, their Intention that
we shall have no congressional election
before July, 1872.
''They have arbitrarily and without
lawful authority placed Senators and
members under arrest, and deprived them
of "a voice in the Legislature. They have
held them so suspended, illegally, i'm
properly, and by force and violence,
without justification or excuse, and
heaped indignities on them as men and as
legislators. And while thus suspended,
fraction of the Senate met and passed the
most OdiOus laws known to the statute
book. The ordinary appropriation for
per annum expenses of the Government
heretofore has not exceeded $400, 900,
while the estimates of the present Execu-
tive exceeds 81 900, 900, exclusive of the
frontier defences and other extraordinary
expenses of the Government.
'sThey have given to the Executive, by
the color of law, the power to declare
martial law in any district of this State;
and, by such pretended law, authorize
him, in advance of any actual disturbance,
to set aside all law and act according to
the dictates of his own will In the ex-
ercise of this pretended power which has
been demanded by the Executive and con-
ferred on him by his Legislature, he can
set aside and hold for naught any clause
in our Bill of Rights and Constitution,
despise any legislative enactment, and
make such laws as he may choose. He
can quarter his troops and hirelings
among us, and make communities respOn-
sible for any acts done in violation of his
arbitrary orders; and draw on such COM
munities for the support of his nyrmi-
dons while engaged in carrying out
his oppressive measures. He can
define what acts shall be regard
ed as crimes, and fix the mode
of punishment. He can seize or per-
sons, and hold us without trial OF without
even disclosing the cause of our detention.
He can enter our houses without process
of law. He can seize our property and
waste our substance without compensa-
ton. He may try us for such acts as he
may define to be offenses, without having
the privilege of trial by jury; and by men
who are under his direction and ready to
obey his slightest nod. He can order US
to our death for any act We may commit.
Our property, homes, lives and liberties
are in his hands. His will is the sole
guide for his action.
This is what Grants administration
means when its leaders talk about ''guar
anteeing to each State Republican form
of government. This is the definition of
Grants exclamation E1et us have peace.o -