(December 29, 1845), was the 28th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Texas, adopted August 27, 1845), stated:
Preamble. We, the people of the Republic of Texas. acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God, in permitting us to make a choice of our form of government, do, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Resolution for annexing Texas to the United States, approved March 1, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, ordain and establish this Constitution.2864
Article I, Section 4. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences; …
no human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion; …
but it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary, to protect every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of their own mode of public worship.2865
Article I, Section 13. Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defence of himself or the State.2866
Article I, Section 15. No person shall ever be imprisoned for debt.2867
Article III, Section 27. Ministers of the Gospel, being by their profession dedicated to God, and the care of souls, ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their functions.2868
Article VI, Section 3. No licensed Minister of the Gospel shall be required to perform military duty, work on roads.2869
Article VII, Section 1. Members of the Legislature, and all officers, before they enter upon the duties of their offices, shall take the following oath or affirmation:
“I (A.B.) do solemnly swear, (or affirm,) that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as according to the best of my skill and ability, agreeably to the Constitution and the laws of the United States, and of this State;
and I do further solemnly swear (or affirm,) that since the adoption of this Constitution by the Congress of the United States, I being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State, nor out of it;
nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons;
nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, or aided, advised, or assisted any person thus offending—So Help Me God.”2870
Article VII, Section 17. No Lottery shall be authorized by this State; and the buying or selling of Lottery Tickets within this State, is prohibited.2871
Article VII, Section 18. No divorce shall be granted by the Legislature.2872
Article XIII, Section 13. Done in Convention by the Deputies of the people of Texas, at the City of Austin, this twenty-seventy day of August, in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.2873
On Friday, July 4, 1845, Thomas J. Rusk, President of the Convention, addressed the delegates at the opening of the Texas Constitutional Convention:
The object for which we have assembled, deeply interests the people of Texas. We have the hopes of our present population, as well as the millions who may come after us, in our hands; the eyes of the civilized world are upon us; we present this day a bright spectacle to all lovers of freedom and republican government.
The history of the world may search in vain for a parallel to the present instance of two Governments amalgamating themselves into one, from a pure devotion to that great principle, that man, by enlightening his intellect, and cultivating those moral sentiments with which his God has impressed him, is capable of self-government. …
Let us … march boldly and confidently up to the formation of a Constitution which, while it secures our own rights, shall satisfy our friends abroad, and meet the sanctions of that God to whose bountiful Providence Texas is already so much indebted.2874
On Thursday, August 28, 1845, Thomas J. Rusk, President of the Convention, addressed the delegates at the close of the Texas Constitutional Convention:
Gentlemen of the Convention:—
. … Our labors have now drawn to a close. The important duties we were called upon to discharge, on the part of the people of Texas, are discharged. …
The proceedings of this Convention … have been marked been marked by a degree of decorum, and a spirit of good feelings which, I trust in God, will continue to characterize the people of Texas.2875
The Constitution of the State of Texas, adopted 1876, stated:
Preamble. Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God … we establish this Constitution.2876
Article I, Section 4. Nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.2877
Article I, Section 6. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.2878