| From the Colorado Citizen
{Columbus, Tex.} |
| |
| October 26, 1861 |
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| Hon. C. C. Herbert |
| The LaGrange True Issue,
of last week, pitches into the Citizen, or rather into Col. C.
C. Herbert, in an article of half a column in length, and simply
because the Colonel advocates a plausible and feasible plan of
rendering the defences of Louisianan and Texas more efficient. That
plan is the building, by the Confederate Government, of the New
Orleans & Texas Railroad. The Constitution does not in any wise
prohibit the construction of any work by the Government for the common
defence. To say it does, would reflect seriously upon the framers of
that instrument. We decline to impeach the honesty of Col. Tate, as
does the Issue the honesty of Col. Herbert. We know Col.
Herbert is sincere and honest in the advocacy of this railroad
project; we are equally certain that Col. Tate's opposition to it is
honest. We do not impugn his motives. The time for bitter invectives
has passed away. |
| "Fair Play," in the State
Gazette, says something favorable of Col. Herbert, which we insert
below. The Issue can smoke that in its pipe for awhile; after
which he can kindle anew and go it on the assertion of several
gentlemen from the lower counties of the District, that the "Old
War Horse" would get a handsome -- an overwhelming -- majority in
them! How would you like to let presses change hands on the election? |
| "In the Gazette of
last week, a correspondent seeks to show that Col. Herbert is
advocating an unconstitutional measure. Col. Herbert, in common with
almost every other citizen, is impressed with the conviction, that
with our seaboard blockaded, some means of speedy transportation
should exist between Texas and her sister States. A railroad
connection is imperatively demanded for our security, not as an
'improvement to facilitate commerce," but as a measure of
defense. The cannon intended for coast defense, and recently buried in
the mud between New Orleans and Galveston, should admonish every one
how much a railroad connection is needed. Not only did the Provisional
Government complete the railroad to Pensacola, to facilitate the
transportation of troops and munitions of war, but the Confederate
Government is even now constructing eighteen miles of railroad in
Virginia, leading out from Winchester for a like purpose. |
| "Congress has a right to
construct any improvement necessary for the defense of the people. The
inhibition contained in the 8th section of the Constitution is only
the appropriation of money by Congress for any internal improvement intended
to facilitate commerce; but Congress is not prohibited from
constructing any work in a time of war which may be necessary as a means
of defense, simply because it may be used afterward, in time of
peace, to facilitate commerce. |
| "The argument sometimes
used, that if we undertake one work as a military necessary, it will
be used as a pretext for undertaking others really intended to
facilitate commerce, is puerile. It is based on the idea that the
representatives of the people will avail themselves of a pretext to perjure
themselves." |
| "One word in conclusion.
Though Col. Herbert is not a lawyer, as his competitors are, he is a
man of good head and clear judgment, and has been a strict
constructionist all his life. The man who led the assault on the
Bishop's palace at Monterey, bear-headed and in front of his company,
can be trusted as one who has nerve enough to do right. That man is C.
C. Herbert. |
| "Fair Play" |
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