The Weekly Southern Intelligencer. (Austin City, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, September 29, 1865 Page: 1 of 4
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ANO DfPARTURE OF
^ffrS^'Thd * tard.y,'át 19
nil arrives evarr Jfoaday, Ttnir -
nighL at U o'eWkM ;
• «wry BttíMUy.WadnMdny •«# fridfjr, at«
¡i W* dmII arrive* every llonday, Ttraittéy,
fí^tóS^V^ead.y w^ fri
5an, to ti
People OÍ TfXM.
•In Prison, Fobt Waraío^í
Boston Harbor, Ago. llfch/lfMH .
_ iions óf you lxivé honored ml
¡¡¡your confidence on many occasions.—
•re tried to repay that confidence by Mm:
rtsfor ¿¿'food, and by folthfol
Though bow a prisoner, tn solitary
at, and far from you, without
rhen, If ever, I shall be permitted
wit&'you again; my children and
Hid friends oré among ydu, and my
for tkehr and yoi - welfare, Induces
I to' tút the permission of the -government
> send you this communication^
I to fern a correct estimate of the con-
~ ' suit of
-JUiüiWWP pon--
and send you the rest
KteetÉona Tho times demand the ex-
ot thought and reason, and the free
«f opinions. I hope mine may
pstive. As our condition
í thoughts add action on ¿0,'
f mmy judgment, your best latoi«e8ts
yeto to assent to faeto and eoneto-
i, conforming to the newOTderof things, *
i repugnant toyoer past expfe-
s, tad to your reason, and
that line of action, whieií Beeméto-
k calculated, in your existing condi-1
i, to prenote and secure your future
I need not assure yon of my
j with you, and-1 think-need net
> your, confidence that I would advise
i to so course which I did not think best
you.
see that.^«t«9l TEwmHtm; who has
1 Provisional Governor by 4b®
i ha#,entered oqthe discharge oí
He wilihavead vi#ed you of the
e Government, and #f whsMriti
tate Gov-
other States
a«, a peoplpj is one of-
nftpfc • in volvían m<
r*?f ^▼•** T .tt"® *""T *
" idustrial
WPecM; pd
P<?K ¥4 PN*
recognize the
jcWi'tan out of
• wadition,wkhcát ;the'ho0b of
i might deífre, fthta.iseeqeired
i and necessity^ -j haw'-n-a*
aupies the condition of o
i, State Government and
areinabeya ee tüftd- I
y«« adopt a Government
We i* the conquerors. ▲
to these oonditioM would
m prolongation of the timet
"i youwiUbe-dwÓvfid fÉftottra
Of yout own ¿Uioe, and cow-
_ . ; to miütnrr rolo. And it would
!&*• than this: it would keep ques-
°( tha gravest character open for dis-
«i agitathm, and by á gmém o-
1 the whoie: country to a sort
if
subvftife
„ i the <gt blUWWont
>otism, without bMng
i the attainment cf your
TO* *k gTiynt^ lo wdcr
tc avoid aiU-
runuwg inte
i power.
AUSTIN CITY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1865.
PUBLISHERS.
y -IIWMfclMf, ég^M ÓUtUrgntioB bT
* ifilSi—1^¿"J w ^'8 7 uch will be
S^mBLSl wouidbeUkeI^
VOuM^ hlnlfita IT^^f" ' aDd 8eCare 10
you toe benefits ef civil government, and
'XS&SSfifil W^JW ?.o«embew into the
of thUt ®Ve!l.thÍ8i^/y íaÍ1 "e attainnicnt
<:A^V® ^ncbiw 0,1 ^ former
.®|#S present appearances indicate
that this w«I be Required by northern pub-
lic senthnent and by Oongress. And our
m no condition to disregard ihat
r power with safety.: Bni I am
u satisfy, both without
fUfUtér- injury to yourselves than has al-
Oqckff&cL K yon' fin do this, and
^W te jwnwivec Jib^ty, the paction
Sf Cpnst^iition and laws of the United
States, and the right of local self-govern-
ment, you wUl be mdise fortunate than many
other conquered peopleB have been. The
Govf^imoBt and the people of the Northern
means of
eity.jmd'
govergm^n^
employ in a<|
unwelcome tb
to it constitutional lib-
form of republicáb
,4s * language to
ssing you, and will be as
as it is sorrowful to me.
But It would be mow than foHy, it would
be a great «rime,: for ybu, and I and those
charged with U e duty of re-or-
ganizing and restoring the State to the
Unioh, to reftise to recognize the facts of
yoursituMiob, however disagreeable, ind to
emk tf and,d^al wUh them with candor
and dir«cJieM^
the restoratipn of the Statoto8^ Ünlofafit
demands né ether sacrifices than those
already made, bythe result of the war, of
renouncing the right of access *, aqd r«- •
cognising the abolitiqn of slavery, with the
necessary consequences.. These demands
with, theOivil Government
i, the Military government:
withdrawn, your iflefahera wUl bf admitted
to their seata. in .Congress, and the State
wiB tre fe tfie O^^ bri an éqoality 5h aH
respects with the other States; with no
further disabilities, save only such as attach
to individual^ Wbtíe t*¿> Government pre-
scribes the conditions of . this return it an-
tbyriaes the people of the. State, through
represeqtatlres of .their own choice, to ex-
ecntc them. It seems to be the objlct of
the Governmewt^iln: pufeuhtg' tliis course, to
o«flUM what itJfKgáfda as the fruits of the
yictory ijtjM^ won, ,and,,at?the 8iwietime to
preserve our form cf Goyernment and the
liberties of the people. I know that those
Who lock to the pfest only, wlth'its sacrifices
and- losses, of principles believed to be true,
of property possessed, of notional indepen-
no: W
attempted to sécete end
an appeal to ^ie God of
and they tow, w,f.
cal restprauor
where It Ü
these by
>«s we failed,
Pati-
to the, dead past,
|lie conquerors to
léav« thém, arid éeárt) required to: look to
present and to the future. • If it
remejpiMre^ (
ar, and we must not
nch, it
it such is thje fate
it toot forget' that ~
arms, whether Wilfini
muc
#,,,
' by the
tnaae or
not^ we staked not only what the Govern-
ment exacts, but all cur rights and peopcrty,
on the result. That we ajre not ffqVWftd to
surrender all, js due, npt to the laws of war,
but to the enlightened and christian age and
"country in which we live, to the liberality
of the Government, and to the spirit and
genius of our iostitutipns. The questions
— — —thk
we did rightlte wropg"in. staking sU on the
fcto of bottle, woe discussed before the
war commence^ and were decided by each
male tSiríppéíto tt^fread a^itrámeñt
of forms. It was precisely because the par-
ties could not agree as to> the issues between
M>at thoyjon* *0 war, to se^ them
ay. \yhy should we now think of
i the discussion of tbese questions?
What good dttuld come of doing so? Wis-
dom requires tfs to aocept the decision of
battle upo tb iaiuea involved, and to be
ibsntütul ihat no more has
the feonqqefrors, and to unite frankly, af,
CheerMly as we esn, with (he Government
In carrying cot the policy It has propounded.
Some of our people seem still to think they
cab retain their property in slaves, under
tbO. «ttboi$tjr of the Constitpution 4nd laws
•en the case. But we
__ to claim the protec-
.ent which we repudiated
unless by its consent.
■ of our people,
except your
esn neither , get back
at as citizens, nor into us
claims to slaved or any
'property. The only wise
and safe course for you to pursue is to ao-
Cept PrOniDtlV. UnmUtrvoillv •nJ In onny)
Bu lorwnru m we work or re-organisation
and restoration to the Union. Tkis requires
your asseut to great pecuniary sacrifices,
momentous changes in your social and in-
dustrial system, and a surrender Qf your
opinions and prejudices on most important;
questions. It is humbling to our self-es-
teem, humiliating to our pride, and cannot
be more unwelcome to you than it is pain-
ful to me to feel that duty faquires me to
give>andyou to accept this advice, it is
not that sort of advice wbieh persons torae-
tunes give but do not accent for themselves.
It is for me and mine as welt as for you and
yours.
To the conferring of the elective franebise
on your former slavenl anticipate a stub-
born and sincere opposition, based on the
ignprance of the great mass of them,
and on their total want of Information
and experience in matters of legislation,
administration, and everything which per-
tains to the science of government, and
upon the pride of race. Andgthis ob-
jection may be sustained by pointing
to the examples of Mexico, and of the Cen-
tral American, and south American StateB;
where, by the enfranchisement of the In-
dians, and negroes, and all others, without
reference to race, or mental or moral fitness
for the exercise of these responsible rights,
they have been deprived of the blessings of
Kce, order, and good Government, and
olted in an almost uninterrupted series
of wiirs and revolutions, often of the rowt
cruel and barbarous character, for more than
half á centurywith no' present prospect of
an amelioration or improvement of their
condition. , Vl : : .<■ *
But these; difficulties are not insuperable,
if you meet them with patience and reason.
I have no doubt you can adopt a plan which
will fully meet the demands of justice and
iairness, and satisfy the Northern mind,
and the requirements qf the Government,
without endangering good Government ába
the reposeoQjociety. This cán be dene by:
. First; Extending the privileges and pro-
tection Of the lsws over the negroes as they
are over the whites, and allowing them to
testify in the courts on the same oonditk>ns(
leaving their testimony subject to the rales
relating to its credibility"; hut not objecting
to its admissibility. And in this you wffl
conform with the wise current of modern
legislation and the tendency of judicial
decisions'In'all enlightened couUtrlee.
And, second; By fixing an intellectual
and moral, and, if thought necessary, s
properly test, for the admission pf nil per-
sons to the exercise,of the electivefranchise,
without reference to race or color, which
would secure' its intelligent exercise.
• My ama view Would be:
Jfirst; That no perapanpW; entitled to the
privilege of voting should be deprived of it
becauseof any hew tost. I would recógnise
in this the difference between taking away a
right heretofore enjoyed, Rnd the conferring
(fore
of a right ...BML
Second; That to authorise the admjsaion
of persons hereafter to the exercise Of the
electivo franchise, they should be. fint,
males; second, twenty-one years of age; third;
citizens of the United Spates; fourth, should
have resided in the State one year, and in the
distffct, county ór precinot, six months next
preceding any «lection, at Which they pro-
poee to vpto; fifth, should he able to read
in the English
sixth, and
year prec<
due and payable, subject to any disqualifica-
tion for crime, of which the person may
have been j^uly convicted, which may be
^ The adoption of these measures, in addi-
tion- to those before mentioned, would, In
my jivdgment^meet the ends of justioe and
fairness, secure the re-establishment of the
State government, the admission bf her sen-
ftiors and representatives in Oongress, the
suspension of military rule, and tho restora-
tion of civil, constitutional, and local self-
government. And it WOiild do more. It
would secure your protection against other
great and pending evils: and is, I am per-
suaded, of the grcatcot conscqwuue to
unds
future peace, prosperity, and happiness.
First; It would remove all just gro
antagonism and hostility between the
white *sd black races. Unless this is done,
endless strife and bitterness cf feeling must
characterise their relations. And all his-
tory and human expéínenee teach us must,
sooner or later, result fás a war of raies.—
We now know, from sad experienoe, what
ta bgtwefen equals end enlightened
people. But of all wars, a social war of
races ia the most relentless and cruel. The
extermination, or OxpateiOft from the coun-
try, er enskvessent, of the one or the other,
being its inevitable end, where they are left
•to themselves; or the loss of liberty to both
races, Where they are,All subject to theton-
trol of a superior power, whtah would be
our situation. I speak of course, ef the
legal rights and status of the two races.—
Their social relations are matters pf taste
and chotae, and not subjeót to legislative
regulation.
Secoad; This course would disarm
and put an end to inter-state, sectional,
political agitation, on this subject, at least,
which has been the special curse of our
country for so many years, and which was
the cause of the unnumbered wop we have
recently experienced and still suffer, by de-
priving the agitators of a subject on which
to keep up auch an agitation, and of the
means of producing jealousy, animosity, and
hatred between the different parts of the
country, and between the different races.—
And this would do much towards the re-
newal of the ancient relations pf national
harmony and fraternal good will between
all parts of the country. And this too ts of
the greatest consequence to oar foture wel-
tare, end especially as our people now know
there is no hope of escape from it by appeal-
ing to the principles of State Sovereignty
atonoe
ore men-
aria the right of _
if the State win accept this policy
it will attain the great ends heretofo
tioned, and it will save its own people from
years of painful strife and agitation Ou these
questions, which would at last, probably,
after years of contention, be found to be the
only means of bringing It to an and, ««ou if
it lead to nothing worse. How infinitely
better it will be for you; fbr both races, for
the present and future, for the whole coun-
try, if you will unhesitatingly recognise the
unalterable facts as to your condition, and
the inevitable logic of events; and hasten as
it is in your power to do, the return of the
blessings of eivil government and constitu-
tional liberty; and avoid, as it Is in your
power to do, the fearful perils which now lie
before you. I know the painfol struggle
against education, and habit, and poHcy, and
tradition, end prejudice which such a course
will require you to encounter; and how hard
it is for human nature to overcome auch
difficulties. But my sincere prayc* Is that
God, in His goodness and mercy, may ftnable
Íou to exhibit this last crowning evidenee,
i the midst of your calamities and sorrovs,
of your greatness, wisdom and goodness as
1 do not know how far it may be thought
necessary or wise by the convention, and
the succeeding legislature, to change the
general frame of the State Government.
In ' which I would call
your attention.
•For i many years past it has been my
opinion that we had carried our system of
ular
qnency of the occurrence of pópular elec-
tions, to the great number of offices filled by
the popular vote, and to the shortneaa of
the terms of jUonr laws now stand
an offices, executive, legislative, judicial,
ministerial, corporate, and military, I believe,
With the exception ef the Secretary at Atate,
the Governor s Private Secretary, and the
Clerk of the Supreme Court, are elected by
« popular vote of the people. And with the
exception, of the Judges and Clerks of the
arrange*
part pf these are elected in one yebr and
a part the next ot alternate year; causing a
general popular election every year.
To this there Is, it seems to me, several
serious objections:
First; It involves the too frequent change
of officers, and often the losa of skill and
experience; and these changes produce, also,
unnecessary, expensive and inconvenient
changes of business to a great number of
PtO{M6e
Second; It involves too much expense
apd loss of time to the public generally,
and especially to the large number of can-
didates, -with no compensating benefit.
And, third; Which is the main and most
serious objection, annual, popular, elections
keep the country in an almost continual
political canvass and commotion, and pro-
dace and keep np an unnatural and inju-
rious public excitement, for which there is
no necessity, and no compensating benefit.
And for many years before the commence-
ment of onr late troubles, these might well
have produced the impression that the car-
rying on of canvasses and holding of «lec-
tions Were the principal business of the
country. While the carrying on of the va-
rious industrial and professional pursuits,
the rearing and education of families, and
the support of the Government, were but
incidental matters. The remedy for these
things may be easily found, and as easily
applfoáj with ret benctHs W tt!« pUtJ '
lie, and with greatly increased credit of
safety to our system of free popular self-
government.
The one I would reccommend would be:
First To lengthen aU terms of office,
which are now two, tp four years.
Second. To require all general elections,
as far as practicable, to take place during
the me year, and at the same time.
And, third. To provide; 1st that the
State Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney Gen-
eral, and Commissioner of the General
Land Office, shall be appointed by the nom-
ination of tho Governor, and confirmation
of the Senate, aa the Secretary of State sow
is. 2nd. That the Clerks of the District
Courts should be appointed by the several
judges, as the Clerk ot the Supreme Court
is by the Judges of ihat Court 3rd.
That the County Courts should appoint
their Clerks, and the Sheriffs, Coroners.
Assessors and Collectors of taxes, County
Treasurers, County Surveyors, and the Con-
stables for the several promote of their
counties. 4th. Thftt the Mayor and Al-
dermen, or CouncUmen of all cities < and
towns should appoint their Clerks, Marshals,
Treasurers snd other officers.
This would withdraw the appointment of
this vast uumber of ministerial officers from
the scramble, excitement, expense, loss of
time, and qommotioa of popular electioo*
It would oonfer the authority for their ap-
pointment on responsible, intelligent men,
who would have been elected to office by
the people, end would be responsible to
them: and it would secure their anwintment
on account of their qualifications and fitnew
for their several duties, rather than for
political considerations, or on aftoeuoil of
mere petrosal popularity, without reference
"lase qualities. And it would give, great
which they nevtir can ha
tent under onr present system.
It would at the same time retain to the
people the election by popular voto of the
Governor, Lieutenant-Governor. State Sena
tors, and Representatives, Judges or the
Supreme and District Courts, IT "
..ML .JMMMML
ueys. Chief Justices, and Commissioners of
eeutlve officer of the State, and aU those
who have the power of malting taws, oj ef
expounding them, or pf imposing taxes or
other burdeus on the people.
And what is Of moat value, it would reader
the eteotions so infrequent, snd so far apart,
as to suspend all excitement about them for
long intervals, and allow the people to pursue
their Ordinary vocations free from tile
sapeated interruptions and exéttataeirta to
which they are subject under owr present
uld put an end to the cor-
trade of politics, which
was created, snd Is being nourished and
strengthened by the uuraher and frequency
i some such
e public welfare,
as to the credit and saooeas of>ur system
system; snd U woul
ruptlng arid debí
of government, to the permaneney of our
institutions, and the repose and security of
Society. And it win bo doubly important,
now, since such great number# or people,
heretofore slaves, snd in great ignorance, «re
now made freemen, and are to besen* in
some fonn, eithfr participants or an element
in all our political contests.
With these two lines óf policy adopted; I
think, notwithstanding all your receta) mis-
fortunes, you might look with hope and
confidence to the future. The, negroes will,
It Is hpped, gradually diffuse tnsmaulveB
among the greatly preponderatin
whites, tai uto different States <
ries; many of them wiH pret . _
Mexico, and other countries, in search of
M*U1 eywMtpr, and Cm* w mm *f thoir
race Will be added to their numbers by ac-
oeanions from other countries. While the
steady and rapid influx of groat number
of white races, from other countries, will
gradually increase the disproportion Í0 num-
bers between them and the whites; snd so
rendes this new element in society and Gov
eminent inuoxious, or at least powerless for
evil, if they should be so inclined. But from
the general docttity Of their dispositions we
May expect the most of them to be orderly,
and many of them industrious and utoñtf
citizens. But to secure those desirable ends
it must not be forgotten that it is au essen-
tial prerequisite to confer on them their
reasonable and necessary rights; and to
adopt a policy which wlU prevent them
from becoming an element of political agi-
tation, and strife, and danger.
And we must bury past animosities with:-
those of oyr fellow-citizen* with whom we
have been at war, and cultivate with them
feelings of mutual charity and fraternal good
will. And it wül be greatly to your advan-
tage, In many ways Which I cannot trespass
on you to mention now, to hold out induce-
ments to tbcm, and to emigrants from other
countries, to come and settlo among you,
with their labor and skill, and capital, to as-
sist ih the diffusion of employments, the in-
crease of your population, and the develop-
Stent of your vast resources into new crea-
ons of wealth and power.
Time, and patience, and wisdom, and
justice, mingled with the holy precepts of
the New Testament, are necessary to enable
Íou to secure these groat and benificent ends,
hat you may, by the means I have indi-
cated, or others, secure these results, shall
have my constant hopes and prayers.
Very truly and respectfolfy,
JOHN H. REAGAN.
At the last session of the Union Baptist
Association, held September 15th,-l8th, '6(,
at Washington, the undersigned were an-
ted a Committee to Invito Baptist
burches, and Sunday Schools connected
therwith, throughout the State of Texas, to
send delegates to a Sunday School Conven-
tion to be held at Independence, Saturday
October 28th, to inaugurate measures for the
establishment of Sunday Schools in every
, and their supply with a sulto-
tterature. We a*k"for a grand rally.
coo
bis
Independence will receive the delegates with
0¡** "wM. CAREY CRANE, \ 0oinIBittee.
J. p. OSTERHOUT, /
'orgiveness is the most refined and gener-
oss point of
to ^ ~ w
l actions: but a coward «ever
not in bis nature.
virtue that human
Cowards have done
it
aod
,ve—
A French Bisboj^isid lately ia a seraos,
.1st women ^ -remember, while patting oa
profuse and expensive attire, how narrow
sf o the gates of Paradise.
Í ¿4
IE
1 iidi
■?>
Kti
laeli". The boy's conduct ia abnost
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The Weekly Southern Intelligencer. (Austin City, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, September 29, 1865, newspaper, September 29, 1865; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth182340/m1/1/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.