The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-04-27
Inaugu, al address Of Governor Coke.

F6tGOr-clJi<6i5S ana Gentlemen Of the LeglSl0tuT6.
After years Of trial and Struggle, the people of
Texas have at length inaughrated government
made in all its parts by themselves Its faults
and errors as well as its blessings have no I'M
certain paternity. The highest exercise of SOW
ereign power of which State in tho American
Union is capable, is that through which the peo-
pie of Texas have, swept ont of existence the old
government, aud erected in its stead that which
to-day has been put in operation in all its depart
ments.. Thus has great revolution been accom-
plished without violence or disorder, and with
no other conflict than the attriton of opposing
opinions in the field of argument and discussion,
preparatory to tile grand arbitrament of the
peaceful ballot Free discussion by press and
people, and free ballot, have eliminated from
the aggregate mass of popular sentiment and
opinion the sovereignwillof the people and given
it expression in the new instrument of funda-
mental law under which we are now assembled.
This is the sixth time in the history of Texas, that
this sovereign right has been exercised. The
Constitution Of 1886, the work of the fathers of
the Republic, of the heroic age of Texas, of the
men who barred their bosoms to the storm of
war in defense of the right of local selfgovern-
nent and by their wisdom in council and valor
in the field achieved the independence of Texas;
that of lS45, which merged the glorious lone
star of the Republic in the constellation of the
American Union the Constitution of 1861, born
amid the muttering thunders which presaged the
coming of the great civil war, and expiring in
1865 under the heel of the oonquerer; that of
1866, rudely thrust aside and ignored under the
reconstruction laws of Congress, and the ConSti-
tuition Of 1870, just superseded-all these, in
the respective periods of their adoption and
forcement, represented the will of the people as
moulded and fixed by the circumstances sur
rounding them, and in turn have been discarded
as changed conditions ofState and society have
required corresponding changes of government
A comparison of these instruments of organic
law with the last expression of the popular will,
now about being enforced will furnish another
eXempliiieation of the great truth that change is
the one memorable condition of all human govern
ment. There must be growth and advancement,
or retrogression and decay. Government can
no more be stationary than can society the
members Of which it is composed. The constitu-
tons of government in the American States
have. until within a few years past, been mere
outlines and landmarks aud declarations of prin-
ciple purely fundamental, leaving the inner de-
tails of the structure to be moulded and fash
toned. altered, amended and abolished as time or
cotemporaneous circumstances might require.
In the more recently framed constitutions, we
plainly see wide departure from the beaten
track of constitutional structure, and in none of
them is this more apparent than in the new Con-
stitution of Texas.
The accepted theory of American constitution
al government is, that State constitutions are
limitations upon, rather than grants Of power,
and as general rule, not without its exceptions
that powers not prohibited exist in the State gov
ernnent. Hence, express prohibitions are neces-
sary upon the powers the people would withhold
frpm the State government and as time and cir
cumstances and experience suggest their wis
dom, these restrictions upon the powers of gov
eminent have multiplied in the more recently
created Instruments of fundamental law.
Many causes have conspired to produce these
great changes OF constitutional theory, and prom
inent among them are the enormous amounts of
capitsh concentrated in few hands, operating un-
der charters which perpetuate its power, i'm
mense railroad systems. which drive off compe-
tition and 'nonopolize the carrying trade of the
country, the wonderful growth of towns and
ctiesswhose immediate local governments are
pee'iliarly subject 70 abuses and maligu influences
general extrayagance and frequent corruptions OF
all departments Of government, of late years be-
| coming so alarming. all producing results which
necessitate clearer definition. and closer guar
dianshiP Oftlle rights ofthe people aud for their
protection, constitutional barriers not demanded
by she condition of society aquarter of century
ago. 4. t...s.f ,,+.s - t-...,.,
Steam and electricity, invention and enter.
prise have wrought such changes in the condi-
lions surrounding the country, have pushed its
wealth und prngress forward with such rEpidity
tsrests 60 such an cxteut that government must
expand 70 emlaface within its regulating control
the vast and frequently inharmonious relations
which have been created, aud while protecting
them in their, commerce. with each other, must
ppotect the public interest against Them all In
doing this the result has beea the formation of
instruments OF organic law more yoluminous,
more detailed. containing mere numerous hmita-
ions. aud asserting Cor protection of the people
more extensive powers in the government than
did constitutions Of the olden time Instead OF
being clinoxSoas 20 the charge Of descending into
the dstAs of leeislation, made against coustitu-
tons thns departing from the old standard these
Instruments simply respond % the demands Of the
times and Me exigeneies Of The State. They are
keelaug Pace with the progress Of society, and
conforming 70 is embarrassing the attacks
upon tie rights Of the public, which, in the
growth and diyersifcalion OF Interests, each
struggling Tor is own sdyanoement az he ex-
pense 30 al others, are Constantly being made
The CONSTITUTION % Texas, Of 1886 and 1s45. do
not more f1I,y represent The demands Of the
ncountryp- TIE reqaifemeois and exieencies Of
tl.oSe rsrtods--than DOS or new Constitution,
amended as public sentiment already demands il
sisall be- those Of lssS.
In flsis. inssrsmshe ne Sc mirrorsd 1e result
ef issses asie II ths poliics 81 he STATE in the
halls 81 SislAtion apd IN thepEimary assemblies
of lie people during the last decade. and ne see
Aifhfilly reflected in is Restrictions upon the
powers Of government as n is assertion Of