The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-10-03

Ddence In and approved NJ his ndmln-
lsifnlion. The secretary WA instruct.
cd TO convey To- the governor u ccrti.
fed copy Of the resolutions. From
some cause they were delayed, IN t,oH-
siiu,and did not reach their destination
until week before last.
Governor Coke, IN reply to the letter
Of the secretary conveying the rcsolu
tlons, expresses his grateful apprGcio.
ton of the high testimonial to his oil.
cial course afforded by the resolutions,
and then proceeds TO make defense
of the action of the legislature in re-
fusing to call constitutional conven-
ton at its last session.
We surrender our editorial space
this morning to republication of so
much Of the governors letter as re-
lates to state affairs:
The disorders of the body polite
consequent upon the great civil war,
upon the upheaval of our social ,domes-
tic and labor institutions, upon the
measures OF reconstruction enforced
ny the government OF the
United States, and upon mal-ad.
ministration of the state government
from 1867 to the incoming of the pres
ent administration, are too deep seated
and complicated to be reached and re-
moved in the short period which has
elapsed since tic hiteehth day or Jan
uary last. Much OF good was accom-
plished, under circumstances or I'M
usual dii1iculty,which, in my Judgment,
has never been luily appreciated ana
understood by the people, by the thir-
teenth legislature. Many OF the choic-
est blessings OF iree government enjoy
Ell by the people or Texas to-day, were
secured TO us by the ability, tact, man
agement ana perseverance OF that
Doay. lnelr action paved the way To
the grand revolution, which, in Jamua-
ry last, placed the government OF Tex
as IN the nahus OF iier own people.
Much again was done by the four
teenth legislature towards bringing
back the government TO healthful
condition. But reforms indispensable
10 good government, winch neither OF
tlese poules couId accomplish, because
OF obstructi ons to he found In the pres
ent constitution, remain to be inaugu-
rated. Ihese perfected, through the
medium OF convention 10 frame a
new constitution winch VIII be called
as soon as the Legislature meets III Jan
uary, ana leAas, III all save the neal.
ing which time alone can bring, Will
be restored to her pristine Vlgor OF rep
resentatlve, nalgoVernment.
An earlier contamination of thisresult,
so dear to the heart of every patriot,
and so essential to the prosperity of the
country and the wei fare of the people,
while greatly to be desired, could not,
am satisfied, have been reached by
more hasty or precipitate means,
without mourning the risk Of perils,
which, considering the interests at
stake. 1T was the part of wise
craftsmanship to avoid. | am aware
that much diversity of opinion exists
among the people as to the wisdom of
the action of the fourteenth legislature
in declining TO call Il constitutional
convention at the last session, and that
many OF the ablest and best men of
iS<N'o, y" iooS opihiohc ho We Joopay SiS"e
weight with the people, believe con-
vention should then have been called.
While l would unhesitatingly have
approved a bill providing for Il cOnsti-
tutional convention, had one been
passed through the Legislature, believ-
ing, ii demanded by the people, that
they had right to q convention,
whatever my opinion of the propriety
OF holding one at that time might be.
Yet, with the highest respect and
Difference for the views OF those who
differed with me, thought then, anu
think now, that the legislature acted
wisely and judiciously in declining to
assemble the convention atthat time.
Our then unsatisfactory and unsettled
federal relations, the flnancia. chaos in
which we were involved, and the heat
ana passion OF the popular NINA, Ell
gendered by recent political commo-
tions which had stirred the feelings OF
the people to their profoundest
depths, have given place to acondition
of things when we can see our way
clearly, politically and financially,
when our minds are clear, unpreju-
diced and conservative. After twelve
or fifteen months of administration,
under the present constitution, by otfi-
GERS in harmony with the people,
whatever of good there is in it can we
see and appreciate, without prejudice
and in the formation of new coDsti-
tuition retain it, rejecting only the
evil. Forming new constitution
with deliberation and caution, we are
apt to be more wise, ana our work bet
ter adapted to our wants, and less liza
bic, in few years, to be superseded
with still another constitution. ] want
u good constitution, one that will last
and he revered by the people, as coii-
situations were IN ola times. we have
built up and pulled down constitutions
i'll late years until we have lost ali rev.
erence for orgnnlc law-that reverence
which is the surest guarantee for sta
bility in our government. Our people,
broken from their ancient moorlngs,
have become restless, inpatient and
eager for change. J desire our new
constitution TO be the result of the
most mature deiiberatlon OF our wisest
men, ana such an Instrument rs Will
enchain the affections of the people
and produce conservatism and stability
in their political views and action, and
give rest and tranquility to the cOun-
try. Hence, Thought II wise to wait
until the popular mind had reached
that frame, when, unclouded by pas
sion, prejudice or excitement, and I'M
aWed ny the apprehension OF federal
and unenl barraSeu by