Year: 1862

| An Appeal from Western Texas-The
Union Men Cry Loudly for Help.
TO THE EDITOR Or THE HERALD.
WzsnRE TEXAS, Dec. 1, 1861.
A young friend OF mine the point Of leaving
for the North. I entrust him with this letter Should
you receive il, would like a special favor (not
only but to all American cizens), that you will
make its contents public. am not writer, and sup
pose many mistakes may be found; but sir, this is mma
teriai: and were to overlook what see, would DO
guilty Of much treason the sscsshers are, for
silence gives consent.


VIII you call the attention OF the administration to that
part Of Texas known Western Texas There lies the
point OF United States operations Indianola instead
Galveston Saura and Point Isabel s the point for land
ing the troops, and by land through New Mexico.


Wien about 70 pen this letter memory dies back to
the Inauguration Of the reign of in Texas, the
successor 70 secession and the sad recoectons OF the
many crimes and impositions committed upon the citi-
IONS Of the federal g. vernment, crowd my BRAIN and
compel me to ask assistance and protection for the Union
in this portion Of tho State and knowing full well
The strong influence which your most valuable paper,
the New York Herald, wields over the minds Of the
American people, caused to hope that my voice will
be heard and place awarded to the following through
its columns. SO


unnecessary for to rscapitulae the history Of
secession in the OF Texas Suffice 1t to say that,
althous majority OF the people opposed il. yet
what they could effect legally by threats insults
and sneers brought about. and the State showed
or the pale OF the federal government by Of usurp
who claimed 70 be the representatives Of the people
sin body legally assembled"


Shortly sfter this the inhabitants Of Western Texas
found many to complain. It's vote had been. in
the ma for the Union its frontier swarming
with msrciess Indians who drove the settler from his
home, numbering and doing ravages as they lowered
around him large emigration has taken place from Its
territory; direct tax was on its people, its mail fac
ties at stop; and still, the strong arm Of
the federal government withdrawn And what had 1t
done to merit all these depornG calamites? Nothing
but being portion Of the State Of Texas. II found
itself attached to government which claimed military
dictatorship or seeming monarchy and with which
had sympathy could there any congeniality
Of feeling. efr


Then ensned the reign Of terror. All those who
had remembered that they were freemen, and
had made use Of the privileges accorded Ameri-
citizen, and had voted against secession found
themselves looked upon Of tories traitors, aboli'
toniss, open allieS Of Mr. Lincoln and such like Re-
ceivod dark hints heard they spotted, and
waited upon by committees from different secret orders,
the Knights of the Golden Circle the Texas Rangers and
the Vigilance Committee making themselves busy in
ferrstng out the Union, men. They we're told to
take their choice-sther leave their homes sacrificing
all their property, within a certain time, remain
and take tho consequsnce-that generally being
kened some night, dragged out Of bed and hung. The
merchant the farmer the mechanic-a loyal citizens
who had been taught to love their country, who
feared taxation despised degradation and despotism
were compelled to seek another home-where they could
find a more congenal atmosphere This told fcarfully
upon the state, both in point Of morals and interest


While writing look with reluctance around me, and





like aspect and cheerful look that en-
every where before Texas scceded7 1t has
appaared-left with freedom-and yet not starv-
ing thanks be God for fine crops last We
have reaped harvest sufficient to maintain for the
next three years; and If the idea is entertained by the
Northern that they can starve tho South 1t s based
lack of patriotism and it Is an absurdity for every
where extraordinary crop has been made The South
erncrs know full well that they fighting desperate
battle and they resort TO desperate For time
their hopes concentrated England; and 1t
generally understood throughout tho South long time
before South Carolina turned traitor and seeded that
should they have 70 secede England would help them to
fight out their battles and would keep their ports open
For a sime they knew not what to make Of the Eng.
lish government. It had got them to revolutionize
part OF the country, and now it turned Its back
on them When they really that Englands policy
had been to weaken the United States, and back out
from its promises they threw all notions OF assist
from shat quarter and concluded to fight their
battles and rely upon themselves. Then no law that
could promote their end thought too hard wrong
and now by their works. thcy have got the whole
country subdued, and no man darss oppose their man.
dates open their minds and every capable Of bear
ing arms is a member of some company belongs to
their Home Guards. But American citizen 10 not to
be queted this manner and, though the privilege Of
speaking mind denied yet secretly they worked
and sir, let tell you that there is hardly who
voted for secession Western Texas that does
pent Of it. and At the present moment the people Of
Western Texas strong for the Union they
when the vote taken, and await with patience the
landing Of the United States troops again revoluonze
the State. when shall that take placer


At the time when Texas went Of the Union IL was
by very meagrs vote, and then the people were de-
uded but the ruts Of secession have long since awaken
ed their eyes and opened their In administering
seeming evils they have caused real ones and find
themselves unable 10 contend against them The
which helped most to bring them TO were
nitted By tho Knights Of the Golden Circle and Rangers
and were truly brutal and fearful and would caused
wonder to reared among band of thieves or
derers. Yet have suffered them, and win continue
to do so till the United States sends its troops Western
Texas. God grant that IT may be soon


cannot write all that would wish, FOR know not
whether this letter viii! ever reach you could when
writing the above single out some Instances to corrobe
rate my assertions but this might fall into the hands Of
enemy Of my government in which case like not
to dwell upon the proceedings but, sir should ever be
wanting bind myself to prove them whenever wanted
Even the locality from which write not be known
hence ths why have headed my letter in gene
raj way. remain, while awaiting for protection and
assistance in western Texas, yours truly, JUNus.





Beard Of Aldermen.


Thia Board last evening President Henry In the