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

popular defense, and restrictions against
schemes and schemers; an organic fabric in
which every word shah be correctly placed
with reference TO its context, and every line
and sentence have q specified and unmistalC-
able meaning, incapable Of double rendition
This Is what they want, and they want
It to be the work Of masters, and not Of
dabsters.
They hare been promised this by their
executive agents, IN convention, at Austin,
IN September they have accepted the
promise, and expect the performance They
recognize no right in any body Of their ser
wants 10 defeat this promise or keep the
word Of promise to the ear, and break it to
the sense. The words of the platform had
definite meaning they were expressed in
view OF 8 recognition Of an unmistakable
demand, and the performance viii be ex-
pected. No matter what changes are
wrOught-n any, they viii be the viii Of
the people and this is the basis of popular
government Some Of course are afraid of
popular impetuosity. We have found
the people wiser than their agents. Not
every one Of the people, but the masses, the
great whole, whose sober second thought is
better than the transeendentalism Of the
self-reputed sages. There is nothing
to be feared from the people. Isolated
localities may run into error but. whole
States are cautious enough, and seldom
yield to excuses unless dragged into them
by those who should know better.
We are free from any complications with
the general government. We do not expect
to disregard specific or implied obligations :;
We do not expect to run not in license be-
cause We are once more our own masters;
but for the the first time in period of
years we find ourselves in position to ex-
press our views of government, and we
want to put them on the record plainly,
forcibly, consistently and with such restI1c-
tive clauses as viii protect us from future
wrong.
The present rulers do not like to provide
for their own removal. It does not follow
because we shall construct a new Constitu-
ton, that these must of necessity 90 out of
place. That must be considered, and calmly
and wisely considered. Whatever is done
must be submitted to the people. We want
no amendments upon which legislative
wisdom must pass first and last. We want
a new organic law for the free State of
Texas, always to be the white mans State.
We shall have no desire to Cypress the ne
gro rather wish to exalt him as he is
with US but the overwhelming mass of the
people of Texas are now, and are always to
be in the future, white men, and we want
charter of our liberties suited to the grasp
and the onward march to greatness Of the
white man.
The people are looking for this, and the
representative who thinks he is wiser than
the masses, and has q divine appointment
of guardianship, makes the mistake of the
Bourbons-and the Bourbons are rapidly
giving way all over the world. Make no
fatal mistake. The people demand Con-
stitution, and viii be content with no patch
work. In the days that are passed, they
have provided for it themselves, infor-
mally, on more than one occasion, and
could do il again; but, it would be in bet
ter taste for their present representatives to
carry out their expressed will.
THE most interesting and able article we
have seen in relation to the proposed call of a
constitutional convention we find in the Hous-
ton Mercury of the tenth, copied from the Gal
weston Gipi7ian 1t is, in our judgment, I'M
answerable. We regret, with the draft on our
columns from Legislative proceedings, that
we are denied the pleasure of reproducing it.
But we thank the editor, and the country will
thank him, for this mastery exposition. We
trust that in addition to the overwhelming evil
dences of popular sentiment, which have APP
peared in the STATESMAN, the Governor and
the Legislature will carefully peruse this able
production.
The Bolton Journal of the seventh also con-
tains an editorial, marked by elegance of die
ton, perspicuity, force and logical sequence
worthy of admiration, and to that we also call
their attention.
In letters, communications and editorials,
emanating from every portion of the State,
there comes almost united sentiment in favor
of a convention. There ought to be prompt
and timely action on this important subject