Year: 1875

THE CONVENTION.


I'm view Of the fact that wc nrc to
have u convention, Let us calmly c"li-
slider the purpose for which II Is called,
and point out, IL we can, the element
of character that should compose it.


Reform and liberty have ever been
the cry of men Of prolligate lives and
desperate fortune. No uphcaval of
society, no destruction Of personal in
terest, can possible iniure them. be
cause II is n game in which they have
nothing to lose-everything to gain.
Accident may float them upon the tidal
wave that leads to fortune. lie who
takes the trouble to review the past
fifteen years of our history, vii!
readily perceive how aptly this has
been illustrated.


There is another class more honest
in intention, but equally as precipitate
in movement. They possess som real
or imaginary interest that they wish to
subserve, some local prejudice to gra.-
ify, the accomplishment of which so
contracts their vision that they are
unable to see the general good in any
of their deliberations.


The work of convention is no
child's-play, its responsibility no light
burden. 1t is the last resort that Il 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. 1t is no light task to change
the constitution of state, and by such
change benefit all classes and ell in
terests. 70 do this eitcctually, requires
n most comprehensive statesmanship
a broad and liberal sentiment that
admits the rights of all, and cndeavors
to subserve the interests of all.


We are not opposed to n convention
indeed, we favor it. In our
opinion there are many changes that
could be made in the present constitu.
tion that would prove beneficial to the
people of Texas. Besides it is not Il
constitution that the people of this state
can claim rs their own. They had but
little to do with its formation or crel-
ton. Hence the utter indifference
with which they regard 1.-THE little
respect they have for it.





Yet, Notwithstanding all this, il is
the organic law of the state, an! the
people have, in some measure, hrcUme
accustomed to it, and have cndrav"r-
ed to accommodate themselves t" ii.
provisions. And now, that an oppur-
tunity is offered to rid themselves of
its obnoxious features and supply those
provisions wherein il is dcicisAt, great
cafe should be taken that We so not I"
extremes. In order to avoid this. let 4
us send our best men to the conven-
tion. Without regard to local interest,
prejudice, vanity or predilcction, 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 fraiIty, and .
have no motives in view but to do the |
"greatest good to the greatest number" |
Let us remember that Texas, compare |.
lively speaking, is but in her infancy. |
Blessed by Providence with all the adj
vantagcs that location, climate and |
soil can produce, her broad domain of
fers home for every nation
an asylum for the oppressed of every |
land. Here, honest enterprise and |
industry can find not only home, but
n 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
of prophecy to foretell what her future |
will be. Possessing area of terri |
tory sufficient for mighty empire, i'm
migration will pour into her borders
llhe ~ IiOUu, consequently hSi popuiH
ton must he 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 elt-
ments, by just distribution Of rights
and privileges, is n subject Of serious
consideration for the law making
department of the state.


EWe are well aware that this is one OF
the things that must be regulated by
time and association; must be smoothed
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 20
work, to that degree helps TO develope
the resources of the state, and adds to
her aggregate wealth. Let the colvel-
tion be mindful of this, and offer such
inducements, consistent with prudence,
as will promote emigration and make
Texas the grandest state in the Union. /.