The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 11, July 1907 - April, 1908 Page: 303
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Presidential Reconstruction in Texas.
303
more prominent were I. A. Paschal and E. Degener of San An-
tonio, John Hancock of Austin, always a stanch opponent of se-
cession, but now inclined to a moderate policy; J. W. Throck-
morton, later "conservative" Governor; E. J. Davis, later "radical"
Governor; Shields, X. B. Saunders, Latimer, R. H. Taylor, Led-
better, and J. W. Flanagan. A number of equally aggressive "se-
cessionists" were present, some of whom were in the classes excepted
from the general amnesty and had so far failed to secure presi-
dential pardon. The most conspicuous was O. M. Roberts, who
had been president of the secession convention in 1861 and whose
presence was therefore especially resented by those who regarded
secession as treason. Of the same class were ex-Governor H. R.
Runnels, John Ireland, C. A. Frazier, D. C. Giddings, R. A.
Reeves, ex-Governor Henderson, J. W. Whitfield, and T. N. Waul.
A considerable element in the convention, the group which really
held the balance of power, should be classed as merely conservative.
They were likely to vote against the unionists out of opposition to
radicalism rather than because of hostility to the United States
government.
The convention took up its work in the most leisurely manner.
The greater part of the first three days was consumed in the mere
preliminaries of organization. J. W. Throckmorton was elected
president on the second ballot. His election was regarded with
satisfaction on all sides. He was an original unionist, one of the
seven who had voted against the ordinance of secession in 1861,
but he had entered the Confederate service as commissioner to the
Indians and rose to the rank of brigadier-general. As president
of the convention he was drawn more and more to the side of the
majority and became the chief defender in Texas of President
Johnson's policy.
The first skirmish between the opposing factions came on the
third day when Paschal introduced a resolution to appoint a com-
mittee to acquaint the Governor that the convention was organized
and "ready to take the constitutional oath" and to receive any com-
munication he thought proper to make.1 The secessionists were
up in arms immediately against taking the constitutional oath.
Roberts, Reeves, and Frazier hotly insisted that the delegates had1See Convention Journal, p. 11.
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 11, July 1907 - April, 1908, periodical, 1908; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101045/m1/307/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.