The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 240
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
240 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
did not do it, nor did they attempt it. What they did was to
come together peaceably in conventions, by means of delegates
chosen by popular vote, in order to present their needs to the gen-
eral Mexican government and to seek timely remedies.
Through the newspapers this step of calling the convention has
been attacked. In "La Razon y la Ley," published in Saltillo, it
was denominated as anticonstitutional, unknown to the laws, and
revolutionary. If it would not seem burlesque irony it might be
asked of the editors of this periodical whether the pronuncia-
mientos, including that of Saltillo itself of the past year, are not
revolutionary, and whether they are constitutional, and known to
the laws. The object that the pronunciamientos have had has
been to change the government with arms in hand, to establish
some law or authority, or to seek reforms by force. Would to
heaven all pronunciamientos that have been and shall be were ex-
actly like that of the Texas convention ! No force was employed.
Popular elections were held to name agents and commissioners.
And for what purpose? In order respectfully and in a fitting
and peaceable manner to present to the general government the
needs of the people.
This is indeed a right of petition which belongs to every free
people and is an essential part of the republican system, because
it is born of the fundamental principle that the will of the people
forms the safest standard to guide the deliberations of public
agents, and that this will ought to be expressed in the simplest and
most direct manner, not by means of insurrections, clash of arms,
threats, nor with lack of respect.
The convention was held in the town of Austin, a central point,
on April 1, 1833. The people of Texas were there represented by
fifty commissioners or delegates. Memorials directed to the
general government were drawn up, among them one soliciting the
erection of Texas into a state of the Mexican federation separate
from Coahuila; and citizen Stephen Austin was chosen as
commissioner or agent of Texas to carry them up to the supreme
government and to urge action concerning them in the capital of
the republic. These specific and sole purposes of the convention
accomplished, it was dissolved and its members withdrew to their
homes.
It is important to bear in mind the basis upon which Texas
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/247/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.