Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/657

 Whatever may be the course of Texas, the ambition of her people should be that she should take no step except after calm deliberation. A past history, in which courage, wisdom, and patriotism united to found a Republic and a State, is in our keeping. Let the record of no rash action blur its pages. If after passing through two revolutions another is upon us, let the same prudence mark our course as when we merged from an independent nation into one of the States of the Union. Holding ourselves above influences which appeal to our passions and our prejudices, if we must be masters of our own destiny let us act like man, who feel all of the responsibilities of the position they assume, and are ready to answer to the civilized world, to God, and to posterity." The time has com.e when, in my opinion, it is necessary to evoke the sovereign will for the solution of this question affecting our relations with the Federal Government. The people, as the source of all power, can alone declare the course that Texas shall pursue, and in the opinion of the Executive, they demand that the Legislature should provide a legal means by which they shall express their will as freemen at the ballot-box. They have stood aloof from revolutionary schemes, and now await the action of your honorable body, that they may in a legitimate manner speak through the ballot-box. As one of the special objects for which you were convened, the Executive would press this upon your attention, and would urge that such action be as prompt as possible.

Confiding in the wisdom of the Legislature, and in its recognition of the supremacy of the people, the Executive relies upon the adoption of such legislation as will secure a full, free, and fair expression of their will. Should the Legislature in its wisdom deem it necessary to call a convention of delegates fresh from the people, the Executive would not oppose the same, but he would suggest that the people be the tribunal of the last resort, and that no action be considered final until it has been submitted to them.

While the public mind is agitated and wild excitement tramples upon reason, the Executive has a right to look to the legislative department of the Government for wise and sagacious counsels. Representing the creative power of law, the high responsibilities upon you demand that you indignantly frown upon any and every attempt to subvert the laws, and substitute in their stead the will of revolutionary leaders.

Assembled as you are at the most important epoch in our history as a people, may all the solemnities of such an occasion impress you with a determination to act your part in such a way that the confidence of the people in the stability of our institutions will not be shaken. If appealing to the popular voice, you show your confidence in their patriotism and sense by placing this important question in their hands, all will be well.

Be their voice as it may, we shall be united; and whether our future be prosperous or gloomy, a common faith and hope will actuate us. But if, on the contrary, moved by rash and unwise counsels, you yield the powers of government into the hands of those who do not represent the people, and would rise superior to them, the confidence of the masses in the reign of law and order will be shaken, and gloomy forebodings will fill the hearts of the friends of regulated government, lest the reign of anarchy and confusion come upon us. We have gone through one revolution in Texas a united people. ' We can be united again; and will be, if the people are intrusted with the control of their destinies.