The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 344

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

ing, and earnestly recommending the organization of a new state.
This scheme seems to have been the result of mature reflection
and calm deliberations, as the meets [sic] and bounds of the new
state were properly Sc systematically designated, embracing quite
a respectable portion of the state.
The paper in which this proposition had its practical origin
was published by one Capt. Foster,' who was notorious for his
hostility to the Southern people, and who was afterwards killed
by some unknown persons in the streets of Sherman.
From whence this proposition originally came, it is not deemed
necessary to inquire. If the project was ever entertained in good
faith by any good men, it certainly was a most unfortunate stroke
of policy at that particular time and particular locality chosen
for the accomplishment of such a purpose. The scheme was a
bold one, openly advocated and seriously recommended to the
confidence and support of the people.
No doubt its advocates at that particular time resorted to it to
attract the attention of the people from the important question
then pending-the adoption of the ordinance of Secession-and
by not committing themselves to the policy of secession and
resistance to the General Government, they would more readily
command the aid of that government in their scheme to cut them-
selves loose and establish their new state by violence and the
bayonet, as was done in the case of West Virginia.
It certainly did accomplish much in the way of neutralizing
and allaying the enthusiasm in favor of secession, though it
the northern counties into a state, and make application at the proper time for
admission to the Union." Claude Elliott, "Union Sentiment in Texas, 1861-1865,"
Southwestern Historical Quarterly, L, 449; J. Lee and Lillian J. Stambaugh, A
History of Collin County, Texas (Austin, 1958), 62.
As noted, the convention at Austin did submit the secession ordinance to a vote
of the people of Texas. The "proposition" referred to by Diamond was outlined
subsequently with specific demarcation of proposed boundaries ("meets and
bounds").
7E. Junius Foster, editor of the Sherman Patriot, was shot and killed in October,
1862, at the doorstep of his print shop in Sherman, following publication in his
newspaper of comments approving the assassination of Colonel William C. Young,
a principal in the organization of the "Citizens Court" in Gainesville. A number of
years later the colonel's son, James D. Young, made confession in court that he
shot Foster after the editor's refusal to retract comment on the elder Young's
death. Landrum, Grayson County, An Illustrated History of Grayson County,
Texas, 65.

344