THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS 
 The First 50 Years

AUSTIN, August 12-14

On May 29, 1868, J. L. Haynes, chairman of the Republican State executive committee, issued a call for a State convention to meet at Austin on July 4th, "for the purpose of approving the nominations of the National Republican convention of Chicago, and for the nomination of presidential electors and State officers." ¹ After the assembling of the Reconstruction Convention, the Republican members requested the State chairman to postpone the meeting. He did so, and fixed the time of meeting for August 12th.² The members of the Reconstruction Convention actively participated in the State convention, to the extent of making their differences an issue before that body. One hundred and two counties were represented.

Officers: President pro tempore, J. L. Haynes; permanent, James H. Bell. Vice-President, W. V. Tunstall. Secretaries, the secretaries of the Reconstruction Convention.

Committee on Platform and Resolutions: G. W. Paschal, chairman, E. J. Davis, E. M. Pease, A. J. Hamilton, J. L. Burnett, A. P. McCormick, Wm. R. Fayle, B. F. "Williams, and B. 0. Watrous.

PLATFORM ³

Resolved, [1] That the Republican party of Texas cordially ratify and indorse the National platform of principles, adopted by the Republican convention in Chicago, on the 21st day of May, A. D. 1868, as follows: [Here follows the National Republican platform of 1868 in full.]

AND WHEREAS, since the adoption of said platform and its universal ratification by the Republican party, the ratification of the Fourteenth Constitutional Amendment has been completed by the required number of States, and it has been lawfully proclaimed as a part of the Constitution of the United States, which reads as follows: [Here follows a verbatim copy of the Fourteenth Amendment.]

Resolved, [2] That we recognize our platform of principles as en- joining upon every Republican the maintenance of the Union by all the measures for reconstruction, including the qualifications for suffrage and office now established, the denunciation of every form of National repudiation, the equalization of taxation as near as may be, the maintenance of National citizenship as now defined in the Constitution, and the protection of every citizen in all his rights at home and abroad, sympathy with and a cordial invitation to the oppressed of every land, equal representation based upon suffrage as well as numbers, the preservation of the Constitution, including the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Constitutional Amendments peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must and finally equal rights to every citizen before the law, and a government in harmony with the Declaration of Independence.

[3] That the Republican party of Texas will regard every effort to overthrow the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Constitutional Amendments, or to disregard the same and the governments of the States established under the Reconstruction Laws, except in the manner provided for the amendment of the National compact, as a treasonable resistance to organic law, and an attempt to destroy the equal rights of citizens of the United States; and we would meet such a war upon the Constitution with all the force necessary to preserve the Union, the Constitution, and the lawfully established governments there under as they are.

[4] That the Republican party of Texas will do all in its power to carry into effect the Reconstruction Laws of Congress, and it will give a cordial support to the constitution to be adopted by the Convention, which shall be republican in form and consistent with the requirements of Congress, like those other rebel States whose constitutions have been approved, and which are now happily in possession of all the advantages and benefits of the Union.

[5] That we cordially approve of the nominations of General Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, that we regard the success of this ticket as the only possible security for peace and prosperity, and while we deplore our inability to cast the vote of Texas for these candidates, we will give them all the moral support in our power, and will hail their triumph as the victory of loyalty and devotion to the Union over the allies of treason and the opponents to the success of the National cause.

[6] That we regard the Republican party as essentially the party of progress and of liberal principles, as the friend of the poor and the defender of equal rights, as the only party under whose administration the misguided Southern States may hope for the capital and the aid necessary to reinvigorate their industry, to rebuild their dilapidated and decayed public works, to extend to them the facilities of commerce and interstate and international communication, to protect (.he weak against the strong, and to secure the benefits of law and order to all; and, as such, we cordially invite the misguided men who fol- lowed blind guides to their ruin, to its folds, as coworkers in the great work of producing peace and harmony, and developing the vast re- sources of our country; and we will demand no other evidences of reformation than the cordial support of the principles of our National platform and the earnest declaration that they demand no rights for themselves, which they are not willing to accord to any other citizen of the United States.

Additional Resolution

WHEREAS, It is yet uncertain what State officers will be elected under the constitution, now being formed by the State Convention, and at what time an election will be ordered for the ratification of the constitution and the election of officers under it; therefore,

Resolved [7] That it is inexpedient at this time to make any nominations for State officers and members of Congress.

MINORITY REPORT

The following minority report was presented, but rejected, whereupon delegates to the number of thirteen withdrew. Among the bolters were E. J. Davis, E. Degener, and James P. Newcomb.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 13, 1868. To THE HON. J. H. BELL, President of the Republican Convention:

The undersigned, one of the Committee on Resolutions, begs leave to report that while he agrees with the majority of said Committee in regard to the resolutions reported by the same, it is his opinion that the two resolutions herewith reported should have been added.

In his opinion, these additional resolutions (or something of their nature) express the sentiments of a large majority of the loyal people of this State in regard to the matters at issue, and besides are necessary to set at rest questions that are disturbing the Union party, and may possibly cause estrangement among those that should be friends.

In the vote on the adoption of these additional resolutions, Mr. Williams, of the Committee, agreed with the undersigned on the first resolution, and Messrs. Williams and Watrous on the second. The other members present (all except Mr. Hamilton being present) were adverse to the adoption of the same.

Respectfully,

E. J. DAVIS.

Resolved, [1] That in the opinion of the Convention the rebel State .legislatures so-called, which were organized after the pretended act of secession, had no binding or legal authority to make laws for the government of the people of this State, and, therefore, that all pre- tended legislation during the late rebellion was null and void from the beginning; Provided, that where under such pretended legislation lands in small parcels have passed into the possession of actual residents, it is the opinion of this Convention that it would be good policy to confirm such possession.

Resolved, [2] That the pretended laws of said pretended legislature authorizing payment in so-called State warrants of interest due from railroads to the school fund, were in fraud of the rights of the children of this State, and the pretended payments made thereunder (amounting in total to upwards of $320,000) were null and should not be regarded in making settlement with said railroads.

State Executive Committee: John L. Haynes, of Travis, chairman; E. M. Wheelock, Secretary and Treasurer; 1. Judicial District, W. J. Phillips, of Wharton ; 2. Julius Schutze, of Bas- trop; 3. Benj. 0. Watrous, of Washington; 4. Thomas H. Strib ling, of Bexar; 5. J. K. P. Record, of Dallas; 6. William Phillips, of San Augustine; 7. C. C. Binkley, of Grayson; 8. Donald Cameron, of Marion; 9. L. W. Cooper, of Houston; 10. W. M Varnell, of Jackson; 11. W. W. Mills, of El Paso; 12. R. B. Kingsbury, of Cameron; 13. R. M. Bankhead, of Walker; 14. John McClain, of Nueces; 15. Dr. J. 0. Shelby, of Liberty; 16. Francis Kettner, of Mason ; 17. A. J. Evans, of McLennan.