The Marines hastily walked over to the other coffins and carefully removed the flags, folded them and carried them back up the ramp of the C-130. Secy. Bartlett was stunned, but stood motionless without saying a word.
Two Texas Rangers reached into the waiting hearses and distributed folded Lone Star flags to other Rangers who carefully draped the coffins with them. The crowd began clapping and cheering as if a Texas high school Friday night football touchdown was just scored.
The mainstream television news reporters and commentators went ballistic, calling Weaver and all the other Texans classless traitors, ripping into them for removing the Stars and Stripes from the coffins.
In the White House situation room, a large crowd of staff and cabinet members joined the president to watch the event.
“Damn them! I hope they don’t take the settlement!” yelled Tibbs.
The mood in the situation room went from curiosity to anger. President Johnson got up out of the chair he had just sat in to view the event. Before leaving the room, he said, “It will be a miracle if Bartlett can end this peacefully.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. President. When they pull these kinds of stunts, it just makes them look crazy to the rest of the world,” Avery Smith replied as he and the President walked out of the situation room together.
“The rest of America that doesn’t hate them surely will now,” laughed Tibbs.
Chapter 31
“If you think we are free today, you know nothing about tyranny and even less about freedom.”
~ David Boaz, Radio Show Host
Spirit of ’76 ― Voice of Warning
The funeral procession moved slowly toward downtown Austin with hundreds of thousands of Texans lining the streets. The crowds stood silent in reverence for the hearses as they passed by slowly but, as soon as they passed, the crowds got louder and louder. This created an effect similar to the “wave” at a football game as people rose when the hearses passed near them.
Secy. Bartlett rode in a Suburban behind the procession by herself with her small security detail. The Lone Star flags and the famous Gonzales Battle flags with the “Come and Take It” slogan were waved by thousands of Texans along the route.
At the capitol building, where the bodies were to lie in state for three days, the crowds had been growing all morning. News reporters were interviewing Texans who had camped out all night to get first in line to view the deceased governor, his wife, the lieutenant governor, and the others who lost their lives at the Swingin’ T.
The Stetson-clad pallbearers, all Texas Rangers, carried each Lone Star flag-draped coffin into the picturesque rotunda of the Texas capitol building to lie in state, joining several coffins already there containing the troopers and Rangers killed at the Swingin’ T.
On Sunday, the coffins were to be moved to various funeral sites across Austin and other cities. The only public funeral scheduled was for the governor and his wife. The new governor called a special session of the Texas Legislature the following Monday.
Across televisions and the Internet streamed images of hundreds of thousands of Texans spilling over the twenty-two acres that make up the capitol grounds.
“There’s no doubt Texans loved their governor!” stated a Fox News analyst.
“Well, how much of this display is support for the governor as opposed to a show of defiance against the federal government?” asked a liberal columnist on the Fox News panel.
“I suppose some of both. Okay, there’s Secy. of State Bartlett’s vehicle pulling up now. She’s getting out. She appears to be the only dignitary to come out of that vehicle. It looks like the Texas leadership let her ride in the procession without any Texas dignitaries. Let’s listen in and see how the crowd reacts,” said the host.
As Bartlett exited the vehicle, the booing started and steadily picked up momentum.
“Get the hell out of Texas!” came a shout from one of the mourners in the crowd, picked up clearly by Fox.
“Not much of a warm welcome. Did we expect this?” asked the news host.
“She’s just another symbol of the federal government to Texans who, despite whatever facts anyone chooses to debate, killed their governor,” answered another analyst on the panel.
As the secretary passed by, the crowds were mostly respectful as she made her way through the rotunda, then out the other side of the capitol to be whisked away by two Secret Service agents and several troopers.
Regrets and condolences poured into news organizations from leaders from all over the world, including some that were critical of the administration.
TV coverage began filming the procession and noted the elected officials and dignitaries who passed by the coffins, including Chuck Dixon with his wife and son. Pops Younger filed through with the Dixons and the team that rescued Chuck from the grasp of the ATF at Ellington Air Force Base, which was a symbol of federal overreach for most Texans. Each of the Rangers carried their Stetsons in their hands by their sides as they filed by the flag-draped caskets. The world finally got a glimpse of the rough-hewn Texas icon as Pops put his hand on the governor’s casket and said a few soft-spoken words. Try as they would, the press couldn’t make out what Pops was saying.
Slowly, two lines formed on both the north and south sides of the capitol building as Texans began to enter the rotunda to pay their last respects. Volunteers were asked to gather the flags and flagpoles that many carried so they could enter without them. Those with concealed carry permits had a special line to enter that moved faster than the rest. Unlike any other state, Texas allowed concealed-carry permit holders to enter their capitol building with weapons.
MSNBC picked up shots of concealed-carry holders showing their weapons to DPS officers as they went through metal detectors. The panel covering the day’s events used the backdrop as proof of how different Texas was from the rest of the country. Two analysts even went so far as to say that, if Texas were to separate from the U.S., it would be no big loss.
The news quickly shifted to the meeting of Gov. Brahman and Secy. Bartlett, and the impending special session of the Texas Legislature just days away.
Secy. Bartlett was to meet the governor at the governor’s mansion at 7:00 p.m. that evening. The next few days could be as pivotal to Texas as the fateful days of March in 1836 in the early days of the Republic.
Chapter 32
“How bad do things have to get before you do something? Do they have to take away all your property? Do they have to license every activity that you want to engage in? Do they have to start throwing you on cattle cars before you say, “Now wait a minute, I don’t think this is a good idea.” How long is it going to be before you finally resist and say, “No, I will not comply. Period!” Ask yourself now because sooner or later you are going to come to that line, and when they cross it, you’re going to say, well now cross this line; okay now cross that line; okay now cross this line. Pretty soon you’re in a corner. Sooner or later you’ve got to stand your ground whether anybody else does or not. That is what liberty is all about.”
~ Michael Badnarik
2004 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Software Engineer & Talk Show Host
Secy. of State Bartlett arrived at the charming Texas governor’s mansion promptly at 7:00 p.m. in a small two-car procession escorted by state troopers. As she exited the vehicle, she was informed that only one of her security agents from the Secret Service would be allowed to enter, which clearly agitated the agents.
As Bartlett was led into the mansion, she was struck by the magnificent beauty of the Greek Revival-style architecture and the Victorian-era manner in which the mansion was decorated. She was led into a large parlor with ornate couches and window treatments. Hanging on the wall were various paintings of early Texas heroes, including Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.
Texas’ First Lady Lyndsey Cooper had her stamp on the mansion, helping to restore the historic structure to capture the grand style used when it was built in 1856.
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“Madam Secretary, the governor will be here shortly. He does not reside here yet, as you are probably aware, because the mansion still has the personal effects of Gov. Cooper. Gov. Brahman was held up some at the capitol with events surrounding the procession and all,” said a staff member.
“I understand,” she answered.
Fifteen minutes later, the governor arrived with several other staff members, including Atty. Gen. Weaver, Sen. Perez, several key legislators, and Pops Younger. Noticeably absent and not invited by the governor was senior Texas Sen. Simpson, which was noticed immediately by Bartlett.
She ignored the absence of Simpson, and got on with her task. “Gentlemen, I will get down to business right away. The president wants to end this stand-off. He allowed me to escort Mr. Weaver and the remains of the governor and his wife as a goodwill gesture. I know you have many differences of opinion with this administration, but this crisis needs to end before there is more bloodshed.”
“Madam Secretary, I’m sure you had something to do with the return of the governor and the release of Mr. Weaver here and, for whatever you had to do to make this happen, we appreciate it,” answered the governor.
“Governor, that being said, you need to know that there are forces within the administration that have no qualms about letting this escalate. I likely don’t need to explain to you who might be in that frame of mind.”
“Oh, we have a fairly good idea,” Brahman replied confidently.
“Well then, you must know that the path taken so far is unsustainable and could lead to a chaotic situation in Texas,” she warned.
“Do you have a specific proposal, Madam Secretary, or were you just sent here to threaten us again?” asked Sen. Perez.
Bartlett ignored Perez’s comment. “First, the administration is prepared to drop all criminal arrest warrants and to drop charges against Mr. Weaver,” she stated, looking directly at Weaver.
“That’s a good place to start. What else?” asked the governor.
“In return, you will give control of the military bases back to the U.S. military and re-open the oil pipelines and refineries to U.S. distribution. You will also agree to coordinate state and local law enforcement with Homeland Security to allow us to protect federal property such as the IRS offices and other government buildings, including a significant presence of agents at these facilities.”
“You want us to allow the same people that killed our governor back into our state to stand watch over government properties? That will surely sit well with Texans,” said the governor sarcastically.
Bartlett did not hesitate for one second “Yes, but only if you can’t provide the protection required.”
“Well, that’s a helluva an offer,” retorted Weaver. “How could we refuse? Is there anything else, because we haven’t heard a word about our grievances with this administration and Washington?”
“And, finally, you are to re-open the Mexican border and to re-submit to the national background check system for gun purchases. The administration also wants any gun transactions conducted over the last few months using your own system to be re-run through the national database.”
“And for all of these wonderful concessions, what does Texas get in return?” asked the governor politely.
“Once the administration is convinced you are taking the steps necessary to return to normalcy, they will return all banking transactions back to the Federal Reserve system and restart federal payments to Texas citizens, including any back pay that may be owed to Social Security recipients and veterans. We will also re-open air traffic to and from Texas and the Gulf blockade will be removed.”
“Is that it? Are there any more conditions?” asked the governor.
Bartlett paused, knowing this last condition was maybe the most difficult one to present.
“President Johnson wants a formal apology from Texas state government, preferably from its governor,” Bartlett stated without a hint of hesitation for asking for this final condition.
There was a noticeable change in body language with the Texans, and the governor stood up and walked over to one of the three fireplaces in the room. He opened a small cigar humidor on the mantle.
“You know, Gov. Cooper always invited me to have a cigar or two when we were together, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind under these special conditions if I grabbed one,” said Brahman as he took one out and started to lightly chew on one end.
“Madam Secretary, I’m just a country boy who grew up on a small ranch right outside of La Grange. You know, the La Grange made famous by the ZZ Top song?”
Bartlett nodded affirmatively, not clear where Brahman was going.
Brahman took a few steps, still chewing on the cigar as he looked back at the Texas contingent sitting on Victorian couches and chairs with a few standing. He knew they were chomping at the bit to respond to the demands sent by Johnson and presented by Bartlett.
“Ma’am, I’ve called a special session of the Texas Legislature beginning tomorrow morning. Although I was duly elected to my previous position, I was not elected governor. Need I remind you that the only reason I carry this title today is because the federal government killed our governor and lieutenant governor. As foreign as this may sound to someone coming from Washington, D.C., any decision of this magnitude regarding the acceptance of any of these terms you presented requires the input of the people of Texas through their elected representatives, or maybe even by direct vote themselves,” stated Brahman.
“Governor, I appreciate your position; however, it is time for someone to act. The process you discussed could take weeks. President Johnson and especially the attorney general will not allow a prolonged debate while federal government property is destroyed and you have pipelines shut down,” answered Bartlett sharply.
“Ha, so much for this administration’s reliance on green energy,” quipped a legislator.
Bartlett’s face turned grim, and the red blush she hated when she was stressed flowed up her neck and face. She continued, “Sir, your folks here are suffering. They have no banking and no federal payments.”
“And we also don’t have a functioning IRS! Most Texans would likely take that trade!” the same legislator snapped back.
“Madam Secretary, we appreciate your efforts, but Texas will have some of its own demands. I’m not prepared to tell you what those demands are today. For starters, I would imagine that impeachment hearings would have to take place in Congress, but I’m not going to stand here and speak for all Texans,” Brahman said matter-of-factly.
Bartlett sensed that the opportunity for her to negotiate the “grand bargain” she had hoped for was slipping from her grasp.
Brahman continued, “We have a governor, lieutenant governor and first lady to bury on Sunday. We also have some fine individuals, state troopers and Texas Rangers, to lay to rest. Texas will turn its full attention to this crisis on Monday, but only after the funerals,” said Brahman.
“Governor, I cannot commit to you that this administration will allow a protracted resolution.”
“What the hell does that mean? Is that a threat?” asked Weaver.
“Instead of me speaking for everyone here, let’s let my fellow Texans chime in,” said Brahman, looking at Sen. Perez.
“I never heard any offer of an apology from the administration on these unnecessary deaths,” said Sen. Perez.
“The administration is prepared to offer regrets,” said Bartlett flatly.
“Well, that’s mighty fine of them!” retorted Perez.
“Short of impeachment hearings being approved by Congress, I really don’t know how offering regrets would satisfy my constituents,” declared one of the state legislators from west Texas.
“The people of Texas will not forget that the federal government launched a military raid into a sovereign state, staged it from a foreign country, named it after Santa Anna no less, that ultimately killed our governor and lieutenant governor. I’m not sure how they will reconcile that.
I’m not even sure how I reconcile that! Then, for you to sit there with a straight face and ask for a Texas apology as a condition to normalize relations is exactly what separates you people from Texans. I for one would be embarrassed to carry that offer to my people and ask them to support it, and I can tell you and everyone sitting here today that I won’t,” said another legislator forcefully.
Standing in the background during the entire meeting, leaning on another fireplace, was Ranger Younger. Nobody had asked him his opinion, but most knew Pops would have one and it was never politically correct. Knowing that Pops carried a lot of influence in the capitol, Bartlett decided to address him directly.
“Mr. Younger, I’m happy to finally get to meet you. As a law enforcement professional, I’m sure you have some of the same concerns about further bloodshed. Do you have any thoughts I can take back to Washington with me to relay to the president?” asked Bartlett in an almost-condescending manner. She didn’t intend it that way, but she just couldn’t help herself.
Pops grabbed his spit cup sitting on the mantle and spit into it. He never answered a question without contemplating it first.
“Ma’am, no offense, but why isn’t your boss here himself delivering these terms? He sent a woman to negotiate his way out of this?”
Some in the room squirmed slightly. Bartlett kept an emotionless and straight face.
“Ain’t it your job to negotiate treaties and such with foreign countries?”
“Well, yes, sir, that is one of my duties,” Bartlett replied
“The president already thinks of us as some foreign country,” stated Pops.
Looking confused, Bartlett asked, “How so, Mr. Younger?”
“He invaded us like a foreign country, blockaded us like a foreign country, and sent his secretary of state to negotiate a peace treaty.” He paused to spit into the cup again. “Heck, we may as well go ahead and be a foreign country!”
The room broke into some nervous laughter, as not all were convinced Bartlett really knew what Pops was stating. Bartlett was of the mindset of most Americans and politicians that the notion of a state once again becoming independent was preposterous.
A State of Treason Page 22