The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-06-05
THE CONVENTION.


have u convention, let ~ calmly con-
slider the purpose for which II IL called,
and point out, II we can, the element
OF character that should compose IT,
Reform and liberty have ever boon
the cry OF men Of proligate lives ana
desperate fortune, No upheayal OF
society, no destruction OF personal In
terest, can possible inJurc them, be-
cause II IL game In which they have
nothing 10 losc-cverything to gain
Accident may float themupon the tidal
wave that leads TO fortune. lie VINO
takes tho trouble 10 review the past
fifteen years of our history, VIII
readily perceive how aptly this has
been illustrated,
There IL another class more honest
In Intention but equally M precipitate
In movement, They possess some real
or imaginary interest that they wish TO
subserve, some local prejudice to graf
lily, che accomplishment OF which 10
contracts their vision that they ARE
unable to see the general good in any
of their deliberations.
Tho work of u convention IL no
chlld's-play its responsibility no light
burden. 1t Is the last resort that free
people have reserved to themselves, to
remodel their organic law, when such
law is obnoxious In sentiment, predju-
dicial to their interest, or imperative
in effect. IL Is no light task to change
the constitution of state, and by such
change benefit all classes and all in
terests. To do this ellcctually, requires
most comprehensive statesmanship
"a broad and liberal sentiment that
admits the rights of all, and endeavors
to subserve the interests of all.
We are not opposed to u convention
indeed, we favor 1t. In our
opinion there are many changes that
could be made in the present constitu-
ton that would prove beneficial to the
people of Texas. Besides 1t is not u
constitution that the people of this state
can claim as their own. They had but
little to do with its formation or crea-
ton. Hence the utter Indifference
with which they regard 1.-THE little
respect they have for 1t.
Yet, Notwithstanding all this, ii Is
the organic law of the state, and the
people have, in some measure, become
accustomed to it, and have endeavor-
ed to accommodate themselves to its
provisions. And now, that an oppor-
tunity is offered to rid themselves of
its obnoxious features and supply those
provisions wherein 1t is deficient, great
care should be taken that we go not to
extremes. In order to avoid this, let
us send cur best men to the conven-
ton. Without regard to local interest,
prejudice, vanity or prediction, let us
send the best men that the state has
within her borders-men who are not
only able in intellect and honest in
character, but who are wise in counsel
and prudent in action who can rise
superior to the petty passions that at
tach themselves to human frailty, and
have no motives in view but to do the
greatest good to the greatest numberp
Let us remember that Texas, compara-
lively speaking, is but in her infancy,
Blessed by Providence with all the adj
vantages that location, climate and
soil can produce, her broad domain of
fers bone for every nation
an asylum for the oppressed Of every
land. Here, honest enterprise and
industry can find not only home, but
competency. Those who may live
to see Texas twenty years from now
would scarcely recognize Ii as the
Texas OF to-day. 1t requires no spirit
eofprophecy to foretell what her future
will .:be. Possessing area of terri
tory sufficient for a mighty empire, i'm
migration will pour into her borders
like food consequently her popula-
ton must be heterogeneous. Every
man that comes amongst us will nat
urally bring with him some peculiar
prejudice and notion incident to the
land of his birth and education. How
to harmonize these conflicting ele-
ments, by a just distribution Of rights
and privileges, Is subject Of serious
consideration for the law. making
department of the state.
We are well aware that this Is one Of
the things that must be regulated by
time and association; must besmoothed
down by the friction of personal inter
course and mutual interest, yet some
inducement should be offered to the |
honest emigrant to settle amongst us. |
Every man that comes amongst us, al |
though he may not have dollar In his
pocket, who Is able and willing to
work, to that degree helps to develope |
the resources Of the state, and adds to
her aggregate wealth. Let the conven-
ton be mindful Of this, and offer such
Inducements, consistent with prudence,
Is will promote emiRrnfion aud makel