“If this is the desire of Texans, I mean to deliver it,” Brahman said, looking straight at the group and pointing to them with the burning cigar.
“And it is your sworn duty to deliver it, if it is, in fact, the will of the people,” Brahman declared defiantly to all present.
“We have the God-given right to put this to a vote. It is your duty to put this to a vote! We will simply have to prevail through political will.” The governor paused to take another deep draw on the cigar.
“Now, we can all debate until the cows come home how independence would be accomplished if the vote carries. We can all guess what this president will do. What we do know is apparently the rest of America and Congress couldn’t care less about the Constitution. Congress has proved it has neither the political courage nor the cojones to impeach a criminal president. Hell, they won’t even follow through on the murder of a whistleblower! At what point do we tell our fellow Texans we give up? It’s too hard. The odds are too great. We might be attacked. We have lost our governor and his beautiful wife. We have lost our lieutenant governor. We have lost Maj. Gen. Conroy. We have lost brave Texas Rangers, state troopers and everyday Texans. It is at least apparent to me the rest of this country simply doesn’t give a damn. It is painfully obvious we are on our own.”
The governor reached across a legislator sitting on a wing-back chair and flicked his cigar into a huge porcelain ashtray sitting on the end table to knock off the ashes, then drew another puff while everyone sat silently until he let out another huge billow of smoke.
“We won’t win with bullets and Apache helicopters, ladies and gentlemen. What the rest of America and this damned president need to see is a unified and determined Texas. I say to ya’ll, if they won’t impeach this bastard and arrest the criminals in his administration, we have no choice. We have to be smart. We have to have a plan. And we have to execute it meticulously and with all dispatch. This president is indecisive and weak at the core. We need to act and we need to act now.”
The people in the room broke into approving clapping, then the governor raised his hands to quell the applause.
“While I sat here listening to your arguments, my thoughts went to General Sam Houston attempting to keep his small army together in the rain and mud and belly-aching from his troops and volunteer militia. Half of them wanted to quit and go back to their families and farms, and the other half wanted to march on to the Alamo and Goliad to either save their countrymen or avenge their deaths at the hands of a tyrant. Houston had a plan and he stuck to his plan, even as his troops nearly mutinied.
“Imagine the men at Washington-on-the-Brazos as they met in a freezing cold barn and signed their fate to the Texas Declaration of Independence, essentially signing their death warrants, willing to risk it all.
“There is something glorious about this place we call Texas. Hell, I don’t know, it must be in the water. Somehow, as overwhelming odds and pressures congregate over Texas like a spring storm, average men and women are transformed into icons of history.
“Ladies and gentlemen, everything you have done in your life, and I do mean EVERYTHING, has led you to this very place, this very time, and this very point in history. Make no mistake; the decisions we make tonight are generational and likely final.
“We will either decide to cower to a president and an administration that is destroying the very fabric of liberty, a Congress that no longer represents our values, and a country that has allowed a bloated, debt-ridden government to be the principal core authority of our daily lives, or we will embrace the values that have made Texas the very last bastion of free enterprise, liberty and self-determination.”
The governor reached back over to the ashtray and smashed the cigar into it until the smoke stopped. Several in the group had tears streaming down their face.
“When you leave here tonight, I want you go to go home and look at your kids, your grandchildren and your loved ones and ask yourself if you are doing the right thing. Are you advancing the principles that endear you to your Maker? I say to you right here and now, this is your duty! Two generations from now, will your great grandchildren even know your name and the story of your life because you made some type of major difference in their lives and the lives of your fellow Texans? Will they know that you sat here this night, among modern-day Texas heroes who said to each other, no more tyranny and no more secular socialism! Will you make a difference to them and the future of Texas, or are you more interested in winning your next elections, maintaining your country club memberships, your private jets, and your social status among the so-called elite? What will your tombstone say? Will it say here lies a true Texas patriot? Will it say here lies a hero or heroine who took one last chance at freedom, against all odds?”
The governor took another long and uncomfortable pause. Tears were now running down his cheeks, too.
“Was it a long shot in 1836? Was it a long shot in 1776? Hell, yes, it was! I say to you right here and right now, no matter the odds, no matter the circumstances, if the dream of a truly free Texas is big enough in your hearts and the hearts of all Texans, the facts simply don’t count!”
Chapter 41
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
~ Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Founding Father
American Revolution Hero
Author of the Declaration of Independence
3rd U.S. President
Two days later, the Texas Legislature, called into a special session by Gov. Brahman, debated the passage of a bill that would present a statewide referendum for independence to the voters of Texas.
The bill was given an honorary designation as HB 1836, representing “house bill” with the date of Texas’ original independence to a republic. The debates were televised live globally by CSPAN and nearly every major news organization in the world.
Following up on Johnson’s last speech, the administration continued to claim any “yay” vote by a Texas state senator or legislator to put the referendum to a vote was an act of treason, and any elected official who voted affirmatively would be punished accordingly. This point was argued vigorously by constitutional experts on both sides, with those in the camp of the administration claiming such a move would initiate hostilities, including war and, therefore, should be considered aiding and abetting an enemy of the United States. Those on the side of independence claimed it is the right and duty of citizens to throw off a government they didn’t want, and no such declaration of war was eminent or necessary by Texas to do so.
Johnson began to issue executive orders to increase the stakes. To mount pressure on Texas’ elected officials and to attempt to terrify the average Texan, Johnson ordered the United States military to begin mobilizing ahead of the vote in the Texas Legislature. Johnson also announced that those in active military duty based in Texas report to several points in neighboring states within seven days or be considered AWOL, to be tried in military courts for high treason.
The administration continued all efforts to squeeze the average Texan in every possible scenario, halting all federal payments of any kind, including entitlements and even federal employee paychecks. This was a calculated move to elevate pressure on the governor, hoping Texans would rebel against their state leadership as day-to-day living for many Texans became increasingly difficult.
Under Avery Smith’s direction, the most successful propaganda and disinformation machinery in the history of the U.S. presidency began an all-out blitz to sway public opinion both at home and abroad. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations introduced a measure in the U.N. Security Council to denounce any passage of an Independence referendum but, surprisingly, it was not brought to a vote, held up by Russia. The Council indicated it might take up a vote if the referendum passed.
During the debate on the floor of the Texas Senate, several ranking Republicans in Congress attempted to re-ignite the impeachment proc
ess. The GOP knew that it was in serious trouble on two separate fronts. If the administration was successful in its propaganda war, the GOP would take another major hit in popularity because Texas was not only a red state, but possibly the reddest of the red. Damage to the GOP, labeled as extremist for years by the Democrats, could resonate even further as all Texas state elected leadership was Republican, Libertarian or Independent. The administration continued to link modern-day Texas pro-independence leaders to slavery from the Civil War by painting them with the secessionist label. Democratic and mainstream media were fawning over Johnson as the reincarnation of Lincoln.
And if, by a very long shot, the vote for independence was successful, the GOP would lose the cornerstone of its entire base by Texas detaching itself from the United States. There would no longer be a U.S. Republican Party in Texas or Texas Republicans in Congress.
Minority GOP leaders in both the House and Senate were now working overtime to broker a solution before a scheduled Texas Legislature vote, calling in favors and issuing dire warnings to those who did not follow the party line. Many in the GOP spoke vociferously against the referendum. Republicans everywhere were on defense and few were willing to speak out in favor, fearful of political reprisals in their own party but also wary of Tibbs’ DOJ.
Before the Texas crisis, the most politically incorrect label one could be stained with was either being called a “racist” or a “terrorist.” The administration and the willing mainstream media had been successfully labeling the pro-independence movement in Texas as both, just as it had done with the Tea Party.
The scene on the floors of the Texas Senate and House were surreal. Shouting matches. Name calling. Accusations of high treason nearly brought more than one argument to fisticuffs. If the same arguments were held back in Texas’ early days, people would have witnessed challenges of duels to the death. Pro-independence legislators were free to speak their minds, protected by the First Amendment, but all bets were off when and if they cast a “yay” vote for an Independence referendum.
At the closing of the first day of debate, breaking news coverage showed four United States aircraft carriers just a few miles off the Texas Gulf Coast. Also, three full mechanized divisions were being mobilized on Texas’ bordering states of New Mexico and Louisiana.
President Johnson was about to have another headache because Oklahoma state leaders were vociferously debating with the administration on the legality of placing a division in their state for a possible incursion into another state, and indicated that force would be turned back and federal forces would not allowed to mobilize near the Red River.
Texas legislators went home shortly after 10:00 p.m. CST, knowing they had but until the next morning to decide how to cast their votes. The House chaplain was brought in to dismiss the session at the conclusion of the debate on the floor. He sent the elected body home with a prayer.
“Almighty Father, bless these leaders as they travel home tonight. Bestow on them the wisdom to proceed in this endeavor with the will of the Father. May the Holy Spirit guide them in their conscious and subconscious to invoke Your almighty will. No matter the decision that comes out of this body tomorrow, Lord, guide them on the path that glorifies You. We also humbly ask that You protect this body and all Texans. May their decision tomorrow be Your will and may each accept that future that You have bestowed on each and every one of us. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”
Chapter 42
“The Republic was not established by cowards; and cowards will not preserve it... This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
~ Elmer Davis (1890-1958)
Director, War Information Office during WWII
Author & Writer
President Johnson made a brief appearance in the East Room of the White House at 8:30 a.m. the next morning. The media was told he would read a short statement, but would not take any questions.
“Today, the Texas Legislature is convening in a special session called by their governor to vote on presenting an illegal referendum for secession in a potential special election to the voters of Texas. This is quite simply a failure of state leadership. It is not only unconstitutional but is also anti-American. This administration has worked tirelessly to compromise with the former governor, and now the current governor, to avert the continuing crisis with the leadership of this state,” stated the president smugly.
“Again, I will reiterate that a vote by any elected state official in favor of allowing this referendum to go to a statewide vote is an act of treason. Also, any action to carry forward an illegal referendum by the state elections commission and county administrators will also be considered an act of treason. I am confident, however, that the people of Texas will reject this extremism, as the majority are loyal and patriotic Americans.”
From a media coverage standpoint, Austin had never seen anything like this. During the entire months’-long Texas crisis, TV and news coverage at the Austin capital was frenetic. But the magnitude, pace and sheer numbers were now off the chart pending the legislature’s vote. The vote was scheduled to take place at approximately 10:30 a.m. CST.
Many legislators didn’t sleep the night before. Some went as far as conference calls with constituents late into the night. More than two dozen traveled back to their districts across the state for late-night town halls. Most of these town hall events were surprisingly well-attended and followed almost the same script as the debates on the floor the previous morning. There was shouting, finger-pointing, and at least two broke into fisticuffs.
National and Texas GOP leadership made calls deep into the night, hoping to sway any undecided and freshman legislators with political bribes or threats. The national GOP was greedily trying to keep its fervent Texas base under its tent, not from any patriotic duty to save the Union, but because it was strictly concerned about self-preservation of the establishment. Texas Republicans were told the vote was a political death sentence at a minimum by national GOP leaders and that Johnson would make good on his threat to indict the co-conspirators who voted “yay.”
In one of the best reports on the town hall meetings, the BBC reported that most of the acrimony was over a final vote, and not the right for Texans to decide themselves. A CNN poll among Texans reported the same phenomenon. Texans believed in large numbers that they had a right to decide, even if they disagreed with what the final decision would be. They overwhelming disapproved of the president’s message that voting in favor of independence in itself was an act of treason; however, nearly half stated they would stay home and not vote at all for fear of treason charges for participating, no matter if they were for or against. Johnson’s strategy appeared to be working.
At least two separate news organizations were reporting that Texas law enforcement officials who were loyal to the Johnson administration were against the vote, and were gathering in Austin to arrest those who voted for the referendum as they left the capitol building.
Johnson and his closest cabinet members were busily formulating plans in case the vote passed. Their internal polling indicated that a statewide vote would be very close, but they had no intention of taking a chance. If the referendum vote passed in the legislature, the administration was preparing to act swiftly and decisively.
The Speaker of the House hit the podium with his gavel at 10:36 a.m. With the entire world watching, the legislature was preparing to vote on HB 1836. The gallery in the state capitol was standing room only. The tension was palpable.
It was not lost on a single legislator that this might be their final vote as elected officials. Although there were no administration-friendly law enforcement officers visible, word had spread that legislators who voted in favor of the motion to allow for a statewide Independence referendum could be arrested upon leaving the capitol building after the vote, or arrested at some later date for treason.
The debates over the last two twenty-four hour periods were epic. But now, the debating was over. Th
e Speaker began, calling the historic roll himself. “On HB 1836, a motion for a statewide special election on the Independence referendum.”
The roll call began.
“Mr. Aguilar.”
“I vote for the preservation of this great country. I vote nay.”
“Mr. Alvarez.”
“Nay. Save the Union.”
“Mrs. Amendola.”
“No secession. Nay.”
“Mr. Athens.”
“Nay,” said Athens, looking down at the floor.
“The referendum appears to be in trouble,” said the MSNBC correspondent. “Athens is a Republican!” MSNBC had predicted the referendum would fail.
“Mr. Barborosa.”
“I proudly vote the first yay for Texas sovereignty!”
Just as soon as the MSNBC reporter announced a Republican had voted against the referendum, a Hispanic Democrat broke ranks and voted for it. Soon, momentum began to build.
“Mr. Cortez.”
“Texas first. Texas always. Yay,” said another Democrat.
“Mr. Davidson.”
“Remember the Alamo! Remember Gov. Cooper! Yay,”
“Mr. Derrickson.”
“Remember Gov. Cooper! Yay.”
“Mr. Donaldson.”
“Yay. Remember Texas’ first lady!”
“Mr. Edwards.”
“Yay for Texas sovereignty!”
“Mr. Evans.”
“Remember the Constitution. I vote yay.”
“Mr. Frankel.”
“I say no to this jack-booted administration. Yay.”
“Mr. Georgeston.”
“Don’t Mess with Texas! Yay!”
Television hosts were taking advantage of the building drama.
A State of Treason Page 28
