The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-19


ton promised, or bear those evils which
now burden us in the present Constitution,
until legislature can trust their people
with the fail measure of their liberty.
M r L. w. MOoRE.
speech OF Mr.. e'NeaI ON the COnstItu-
tiOnal Question.
The substitute to the majority report
being under consideration Mr.. O'Neal said: :
M. SpetkeT-The question which is now
under the consideration of this House is
one in which the people arc deeply inter
ested, and they are anxiOusly awaiting the
issue. They are impatiently. looking for
ward to the action of the Fourteenth Legis-
lature in regard to a new State Constitution.
For eight years past, sir, clouds of political
anarchy and Radical oppression have hung
over the destinies of our people like the
dark pail of death. But on the third day
of September last light dawned upon us;
eight hundred and fifty delegates assembled
in this hall fresh from the people, In
trusted with the great mission of organizing
the Democratic party. That body enunciated
ina Democratic platform, the great principles
of Democracy by which the party should be
governed. UpIn that platform of princi-
offices were nominated. The twelfth sec
ton of that platform reads as folIowd: q We
recommend to the fourteenth LEGISLATURE the
calling Of constitutional c0nrcntioa. Upon
that platform 1 received my nomination;
upon that platform was elected, and upon
it stand this Ievening. Every Democrat
in this house holds his place upon tins floor
by virtue Of this platform, without the
right to ignore any principle set forth
therein. In this the calling of aconvemtiOn
is favored. To this idea we are committed
and we have no discretion. We have no
more right to violate one section of the
platform than we have to violate any other
section; and if we arc bound by itat all,
no part of it can be neglected. Sir, / know
my people; l profess to understand their
wishes and their necessities. 1t is conceded
on all hands that we need new Constitu-
ton, and it is expected of this Legislature
to take steps, as indicated by the party to
attain that much desired object. A COM
mission, as suggested by the gentlemen on
the opposite side of the house, is an
innovation; it is something new to Dem
ocrats an idea which has recently
received its birth from the prolific brain Of
politicians of expediency. / respect those
gentlemen, and grant them TO be actuated by
pure motives, but have no confidence in
their political theory-should the commits
sion be the result of our deliberations, and
should that commission, that august royal
body be created for the purpose of giving
the people of Texas a State Constitution,
fear that it will be the death knell of the
Democratic party of Texas. A Constitu-
ton offered by such body, and by such
means, l do not believe would be ratified by
the people. The Radical party would rally to
a man to defeat it, and the apathy of Dem
ocrats would be its certain doom. What
then9 The disintregatioh of the Democratic
party. The Constitution viii be failure,
the Democratic party, but recently flushed
with victory of fifty thousand majority,
will fall from its cminence, and be remem-
bered but as q thing of the past The
Fourteenth Legislature win be rebuked for
its presumption. A commission, a royal
trio constituted by his excellency the Gov
ernor and the two branches of the Legis-
lature, q fifteen men appointed to give
the great Democratic party of the
State of Texas q fundamental law
q Constitutional Alas, is Capitalization our
certain dooml Are Democrats to fix such
monster Of Capitalization as this upon the
people, and shall we still boast OF self
government, and denounce Radicals as
tyrants 2 Away with such ideas Let US
call a constitutional convention they have
been held in this State previous To this f,
they have been held all over the land; the
people are familiar with them. On the
other hand, they know nothing Of the idea
Of commissions; a commission to be APP
pointed by the Legislature, to give them q
Constitution. Sir this IS centralism in
its most odious form, and we would
be Kissed at for assuming such unwarrauted
authonty-the authority to frame Consti-
tuition for the people without inviting them
to participate In the great work. Such q
work is not our province; it is presumptu-
Gus; it is dangerous. / give my opinion
that If this Legislature assumes such author.
ity, it will receive rebuke from the people
which will be long remembered. It would
be one of the most unpopular bodies known
to the history Of the country. How dare
we depart from our instructions2 How
dare we return to our homes and
ask the approval of our constituents
after dealing so fatal blow to every princi-
pie of popular government, we could not
meet the just indignation which would con-
sign us to eternal political oblivion. can
not, at this time, recall to memory any deed
Of oppression and high-handed disregard OF
the rights of the people having ever been
committed by the Radical party more fagi-
tious than this. Suppose, as the gentleman
from Houston has well illustrated, Congress
should conceive the idea Of forming new
Constitution for the general government,
suppose Congress were TO assume the au-
thOrity Of appointing a commission to draft
that Constitution, would it be received BY
the States with approbationl We think not
and yet Congress would have the same night
to appoint a commission to perform such
work as would the Legislature Of Texas
70 appoint q commission Of ffto6
men TO give the people Of Texaas
Constitution, this IS al wrong, Il e N.
democratic, and We hope that i sin no.
.FIIs ffst page Of the Democratic lsistsfq
l1of 4eKas. since tile sang1inary var tlII0n1h
WLielrflis governments has passed, a. nov
being written, let Il not be blackBned %
| this innornfion. this act Of ceufralirrn. I'M
I give the people Constitutional Convention
and al vim be well.
will not consume the time Of this hon
orabIe body longer, sir / hope the resoln-
ton offered By the gentleman from Houston,
not meet with any considerable oDpO-
sifi9n and that i may Be adopted by this
bqnofable body.
Ex-GovEHzoR TnnocKroRTox arrived
- this city yesterday. We were glad
70 see him personally, and without r.
rd 70 his Distinguished public chasac-
-, His presence Is not only WsIcome
4 the state capital, bat IN every portion Of
~ State. A lifetime devotion 70 the pub.
! ii1 series ealitles him % the condolences
spd sincere friendship n srsEy citizen q
TEXAS.