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


mother IS bleeding, and we look to the rep
resentatives of the people now in tie
Fourteenth Legislature TO restore her, by
executing their trust in at once calling con-
stitutiOnal convention, and let the people It
large, through their delegates, to be chosen at
that convention, frame q Constitution that
win be but the win of the people and not the
emulation Of Set OF hirelings and oflce-seek-
ers, whose interests arc directly opposed to
every possible interest or benefit of the peo-
pie. WALLACE.
We repeat that from all parts of the State,
in editorials, letters, and communications,
comes one almost universal voice in favor Of
a Convention, and in animadversion
of the dilatory course of the Legislature.
There can be no question that the people are
almost unanimous for such Convention.
But they should bear in mind, that there
are other grave questions before the Legis-
lature requiring deliberation, and as there
has been division of sentiment on this the
delay that has occurred will prove the more
beneficial. Hasty action was wrong and
unnecessary. That the Legislature will
pursue wise course, we sincerely hope
and believe.
We have published many interesting
editorials from almost every portion of
Texas. The STATESMAN could be filed
from day to day with such extracts.
If not too tedious, let us give one or two
more-not the entire articles, because that
is unnecessary, as the subject will be fully
discussed in both Houses-but simply ex-
tracts. The Bastrop Adrrtiscr thus speaks:
We would respectfully call the attention
of the members of the Fourteenth Legs
lature, to Article XII of the Democratic
State platform, adopted by the Democracy
of Texas, IN Convention assembled at the
City of Austin, and which reads as follows:
"We faOOr tie calling Of a constitutional con-
ceHti0R BIZ oar nezt Legislature.
This State platform was adopted by every
county Democratic convention in the State,
and therefore the Democratic members Of
the present Legislature were elected under
this platform and must be considered as
pledged to it. The Democracy, from one
end Of the State to the other, are, compare
lively speaking, unit in their call for q
State Convention, and we believe, so far as
we have noticed, with the exception of the
Galveston NeSos, the newspapers throughout
the State are unanimous in favoring the
calling of constitutional convention, by
the Legislature now in session, at as early a
day as possible. This we consider to be
their duty as honest representatives of the
people Certainly, if the platfrom OF the
Democratic party, upon which the great
majority of the members of this Legislature
were elected, is to be respected, they will
not. dare 60 back upon it. A mere commits
sion to frame or amend the present Consti-
tuition for the people, will not suffice.
There are many objections to it.. First, it
will be nearly two years before the people
can have an opportunity of ratifying or re-
jecting said proposed amendment; second,
many persons who viii be dissatisfied with
such course, will not even take sufficient
interest in said election, when ordered, to
cast their vote. Besides, without occupy
ing the time and space necessary to explain
the many objections that would be raised
to an appointed commission, (they being
ever so pure and well qualihed) it is suffi-
cient to repeat, that our representatives
were elected upon the constitutional coRgela-
ton platform, and the people who voted
for them expect them to carry ont the
pledges of said platform. II they see
proper to ignore the wishes of their con-
stituents, expressed at d thousand different
meetings, held in all parts Of the State,
and so overwhelmingly and unanimously
sealed at the ballot box, they may expect
nothing short but that Of being ignored in
turn by the people, whenever the opportu-
nifty is presented. No, gentlemen, we ask
you to ignore self-interest and treat, with
due respect and proper consideration, the
voice and wishes of those to whom you
are indebted for your present position, and
let it not be said that q single Democrat
ignored the sacred platform upon which he
was elected to Office.
Then comes the Waco Rsammer, which
says
In these latter days the encroachments
upon the rights, liberties and privileges Of
the citizens have been many and bold; they
have been so often repeated and so patiently
born that these workers in the ranks of CEN
tralism suppose that all they have to do IN
any given case is to tack on a taking name,
to cover the most shameful attack upon the
liberties of the people, and they swallow it,
with oarelessness, and often with avidity.
This alaslihas been too true. We doubt If
ever more dangerous or wanton conspiracy
against tho prerogatives Of the people was
formed than this one of q commission to do
an act, in which the whole people arc in
terested, and which can only be done by
themselves in solemn conyOcation legally.
or IN accordance with a long and well tried
rule. The time is at hand when 1t were
we'll for the people to scrutinize closely
every move in the direction of this danger
Gus and exceedingly republican, idea OF cen
tering the power to rule and govern, in the
hands Of few men.
The alleged expense attending the calling
Of a convention is all ''moonshine' and
Texas deserves no better Constitution than
she now has, II this consideration alone
shall restrain her from having one that her
people win ratify and heartily endorse.
This Is the song the advocates Of commits
sion would single lure thepeople into des-
potisn, as cruel and as hateful as was ever
fastened upon a people by any power on
earth; out-doing by far. any act Of the pre-
vious bad government Of the State, because
IN this instance the blow would come nom
our own household Of political faith.
We Venerate tho man who IS an advocate