The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 207

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The Texas Road to Secession and War

the meeting of the Texas State Convention, of which O. M.
Roberts served as president. The State Convention began its ses-
sions on Monday, January 28. The delegates to the convention
signed the ordinance of secession on the fifth day of the conven-
tion, February 1, shortly after 7 P.M., to be voted on by the people
of Texas on February 23. John McQueen, commissioner from
South Carolina, was present at the meeting and talked on the
necessity of Southern unity. He spoke on Friday afternoon, a few
hours before the ordinance passed; J. W. A. Sanford, com-
missioner from Georgia, also spoke. When the ordinance passed
with 166 yeas and 7 nays, the convention was presented a Lone
Star flag with the large star surrounded by fourteen smaller
ones. Before adjourning, the convention voted to send seven
delegates to the Southern Convention scheduled to meet in
Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4. When news of the pas-
sage was announced to the city, many buildings were "splen-
didly illuminated.""
The pro-Union citizens protested that they would not be al-
lowed to vote in February as their patriotic feelings dictated.
One Union speaker said that Congress Avenue would be running
with blood on election day, but the Gazette editor retorted:
"A Union. man has a perfect right to vote, and to express his
sentiments; and however small may be the minority in which
he may find himself, will no doubt be treated with respect."60
Colonel C. G. Forshey, superintendent of the Texas Military
Institute, Rutersville, spoke on "Races of Mankind" in the Senate
chamber on February 7, stressing that the white race was "bound
by supremacy to think for mankind.""' Another public speak-
ing was held on Saturday, February 16, with some of Austin's
noted orators speaking on secession and states' rights.
The March 2 issue of the Gazette carried partial election re-
turns for the state in the secession election of February 23, includ-
ing returns from Travis County. In Travis, 436 voted for seces-
sion and 694 against. The Gazette stressed the fact that the people
of Texas had passed the ordinance of secession by popular vote.
On Monday, March 4, the Texas State Convention proclaimed
g91bid., February 2, 1861, p. 3.
solbid., February 9, 1861, p. 3.
elIbid., February 2, 1861, p. .3-

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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959, periodical, 1959; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101173/m1/250/ocr/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

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