Year: 1866

Governor Thrcckmorfon's Message.


Governor Throckmortcn, Of Texas delivered his mes
sage TO the Texas Legislature the 18th ut The fol-
lowing extracts will to make known his views on
two topics OF general Interest,"


There high duty devolving upon the people of the
South relation 10 this class OF our people They are
entitled to sympathy, and should every
and attention tina. may conduce 20 their prosperity and
enable them TO become useful 20 the country While we
should every means 10 secure other and additional
labor yet should not neglect that which is already at
our command and reasonable effort should be made
TO satisfy the black people that with proper conduct on
their part their labor desirable Laws should be enacted
carrying out fully the intention OF tho eighth article of
the constitution in securing to them protection or per-
and property. We should bear with Their foibes
aud make charitable allowance for the want OF industry
end steadness OF purpose manifested by the great
Of them, for they portion OF the inheritance ne
seved by from foreathers born and reared
in our midst. and are not answerabie for ato civil
and national calanies The soventh section OF the
tenth article Of the constitution requrcs that any taxes
collected from Africans or persons of African
descent shall be exclusively appropriated for
the maintenance of system OF public schools
for the education Of Africans and their children pre-
sume the present. thet very little could be
collected from the freed people, at least not sufficient TO
be Of service in the way contemplated Yet Is proper


if tax levied for educational PURPOSES that the obi
cation imposed by the constitution should be faithfully
carried out Is desirable that all iitry force and
the agents of the Frcednens Bureau should be with
drawn from the interior of the State The most certain
way 10 effect this object will be the enactment of Just
laws for the protection of the blacks and their rigid
forcement I am well satisfied that people will do
Justice to the freedmen yet there has been laxity In
enforcing not particularly as to this class Of
people, but generally, that requires the serious consd-
Grafton Of the law making power Of the government
Peace officers and magistrates should be required under
penalties to promptly perform the duty imposed on
them of preserving the peaee.


THE CONSTITUTIONAL. AssSDseSr


herewith commu ncate copy OF joint resolution
or Congress- proposing the several States thirteenth
art Gle to tho constitution OF the United States This


oe has already been ratified by the requisite number OF
States has been adopted and then so proclaimed and
as longer open question IL ia not considered
necessary if appropriate that the Legislature shonld
take any action the subject II, however, your hon.
orable body the sake Of conformity should deem its
ratification proper do not conceive that it would be
at all exceptionable though its only effect wond be
again 10 commit the State to the principle OF the article
ton | also enclose herewith an atiested copy OF
Joint resolution OF Congress- proposing to the
Legislatures OF the several States fourteenth
article Of the constitution OF the United Staos This
proposition having been generally published and dis
cussed do not propose in this communication To do
than expresT my unqualified disapproval as
whole, Of the proposed articeit being In my opinion,
impoc unwsc and unjust To say nothing OF its harsh
ness the effect Of tho adoption Of tho Third section OF the
article will be To deprive the State for nearly quarer
OF century 0. the services Of her abcs and best men,
at time and amidst circumstances which rendor those
services more important than at any period OF her his
tory Other and equally impressive considerations sug
gest themselves for your rejection OF the pro-
position which know Will occur 10 your minds. rem
dering any discussion useess. recommend The un.
q-acd rejection OF the proposed fourteenth article to
the constitution OF the United States