The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-20

early patriots, and the obligation to
establish it is laid upon us by the
constitution itself. The honorable !
senator from Gregg, in his argu-
ment on this bill, attributed to me
the purpose of establishing and
maintaining the university by d.
rect tax on the people. feel as
sured that the senator stands alone /
in his recollection of the language
which he attributes to me. He said,
"The senator from Brazos, with the
utmost innocence, is III favor of taxa
ton to establish and maintain the
university. TIE question then under
consideration was the bill to make
the interest on certain bonds for
$134, 900 belonging to the university,
which had been previously reported
by one of the departments as of
doubtful validity, an available fund
for the purpose of using it to es-
tablish and erect this institution.
was in favor of the measure, because
[ believed it would enable us to
erect the university, so as 10 avoid
future taxation. But, how stood
the senator? He was opposed to
the measure so that if his view
had prevailed, we should have been
left without an available fuEd to es-
tablish and erect that institution.
His purpose accomplished, would
inevitably have resulted in direct
taxation. What did say, with the
utmost innocence" if the senator
pleases, was, that all our laws tend
ed in the direction of fostering the
state university; that the constitu-
ton provided for its establishment
as early as practicable; that the con-
stitutiOn even provided for q direct
tax on the people for the university,
but to avert that, we should take
the funds in hand which we could
now control"
The senator from Gregg has told
us he is the friend of the university.
In fact, they have all told us SO.
But what are their acts in that re-
gard? When it was proposed by
us to arrange for the estab-
lishment and erection of the univer-
sity, by making available the ill.,
terest on the permanent fund of
1854, 900, to use i'll its erection, he
led the van Ill opposition Ato the
measure, and he found a clause in
the constitution. which by forced
construction, which satisfied hlS
mini, that it could not be done, and
he maintained that it ought not to
be done, because it would take from
the permanent fund which ought to
be enlarged, SO that the university
could be perpetually supported. He
was not only Jealous, but he was
eloquent in his purpose to build up
that permanent fund that measure
was carried over his opposition, but
we certainly expected that when we
came to the proposition now before
the senate to endow that institution
with a pittance of the public do
main, which has not been squan-
from Gregg, would lead the advance
in favor of the measure. But how
does he stand to-day? In opposi-
ton ; while yet avowing his friend
ship 10 the university, he is both
opposed TO its establishment and
endowment. Consistency, thou art
a Jewell" but fear the senator has
it moi.
He tells us, however, he is not liV-
lug for the present age, but is seek
ing a posthumous reputation. L
would he the last to deprive him of
that desire, or of that reputation.
but | would remind him of the COUP
let,
"Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act we'll your part, there all the honor
lies"
Mr.. President, the people of Texas
are demanding the establishment
and endowment of this institution,
and let the senator look well to
what he does-he may emulate the
fame, and go down to history oil the
same page of him who set a torch to
the Grecian temple that he might
live in history.
The honorable senator may prove
himself strong enough to pull down
and destroy the establishment and
endowment of the Texas university,
and bestow the funds which should
go to ii to SPECTATORS and corpora
tions, but let him beware of the fall
ing ruins.
We are told, Mr.. President, by
senators that this is not the oppor-
tune time for the establishment and
endowment of this university. May
l ask senators when will that
good time come? In the language
of the immortal Henry, twill it
be the next year, or the
next week. Shall we wait until
university shall drop down to us
from the clouds, fully fledged?
Such seems to be the pleasure of
some senators in this body-at least,
they would have US wait until every
foot of the public domain has been
swept away from us by the bosom
of railroad legislation. Do senators
bear in mind that nations and states
i'll all ages of the worlds history,
amongst the first steps in their de-
velopment, established seats of
learning! Do you not remember
that the Dutch republic, while it
was carrying on that fearful struggle
with the power OF Spain, which was
then the power of the world, for
that freedom of conscience and re-
ligious liberty which you and now
enjoy, in the very storm cradle of its
origin, while every energy and re-
source was taxed to repel invasion,
while the hardy Dutchmen were
struggling amid their dykes and
bitches for their lives and liberties,
they yet found time and. resources
to found universities which yet sur
vive as monuments of their wisdom
and craftsmanship.
Napoleon, during his most gigan-
tic wars, found time to plant great
institutions of learning which yet
live, and will long continue
TO exist, to perpetuate his
genius and craftsmanship, in letters
more durable than brass. Cam
bridge and Oxford date far back in
the dim ages of English history, and
our own states, early in their his
tories, and often beset with finan-
cial difficulties, found time and re-
sources to plant their universities
and their seats of learning of high
order, and Dartmouth and Yale,
Harvard, William and Mary and
others are still remaining, grow
ing year by year with the country,
and adding to its culture and pros
perity. And shall it be said of
Texas, with no debt to speak of,