The always interesting Josh Blackman has posted a rough transcript of Justice Alito's recent appearance at a Federalist Society conference in Texas. The introductory paragraph caught my eye:
After the American and Texas pledges of allegiance by Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod, and a rousing introduction by Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett (you may just know him as @JusticeWillett), Justice Alito took the podium, in a “looking back mood.”
I had been quite unaware that Texas had its own Pledge of Allegiance, but sure enough, it exists by act of the Texas legislature, first passed in 1933:
Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.
What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a state, especially a state that once attempted to secede from the Union?
John Brown, of course, was hung for treason – of Virginia, not the U.S.A.
The Texas pledge seems to be at odds with Texas Divisionism which posits that Texas has the right to divide itself into five states based on the 1845 resolution admitting Texas into the Union.
It's time to launch into full scale campaign against the people of Texas, who harbor this "pledge" to their "flag" and speak those awful words.
America cannot survive with this sort of pledge in Texas. I mean, after all, what does it mean to PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE to a STATE? A state that attempted to SECEDE from our UNION!!!
The Civil War, which is fresh in the minds of everyone and must always be kept vital and freshly debated as relevant to our time, was fought against secession to preserve slavery. This sort of pledge is therefore racist, and cannot stand.
Bill:" "Texas has the right to divide itself into five states based on the 1845 resolution admitting Texas into the Union."
Has anybody got a link to that? I looked for it once, and found lots of talk *about* it, but not the actual source.
The Texas Constitution still requires public servants, including all judges, all lawyers and all jurors to "acknowledge the existence of a
Supreme Being." Who could pledge allegiance to such a backward state?
Jimbino
The Constitution of Texas prescribes the following oath:
Sec. 1. OFFICIAL OATH. (a) All elected and appointed officers, before they enter upon the duties of their offices, shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I, _______________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of ___________________ of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God."
What are you speaking of? the Tx constitution is online. Let' see a cite.
I believe that Jimbino is referring to the Texas Constitution, Article 1 (Bill of Rights), Section 4: RELIGIOUS TESTS. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
Over 30 years ago now, the AG settled a suit with an atheist agreeing not to enforce this provision. However, I don't know if that would be considered binding on a current AG or on the state, as it remains in the constitution.
anon-tx
You mean, like the KY constitution?
Barry, I think this is what the Divisionists count on for support.
http://thetexasrepublic.com/history-of-this-republic/1845-annexation-agreement/
When my daughter was teaching in a San Antonio public school a few years ago, the saying of both pledges began every school day. I believe that the U.S. pledge came first, and then the TX pledge.