The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-06-03
Communicated for the Charlotte Journal.
THE CHARLOTTE CELEBRATION

:" 'he Courthouse on The Nth OF May, and resolved
to celebrate the Victory of the Texans over the
| Mexican Commander, Santa Ana, &c, by an lllu.
mlnatlon, &c, on the evening of the 9th. Ac.
cordngly on Friday evening, at O'Clock, the
Courthouse was very brilliantly illuminated, and
transparency, bearing appropriate and significant
emblems and notices, was exhibited from the Sc.
cond story OF the Southern front. number Of the
citizens OF the Town, with fine Band Of Music
marched IN procession with lanterns elevated a.
bove their heads, preceded by beautiful quadran-
gnlar transparency, with the words Liberty
-lfousien-lndepcnde in brilliant CO.
Tors. Most of the dwelling houses on Main-sreet
were Illuminated, and many others in different
parts OF the town. Some OF them very tastefully.
Indeed each Citizen who joined in the expression
Of Joy for the success of the Texans, having in
dulged the inclination Of his fancy in the number
and disposition of his lights, diffused over the
scene the most pleasing variety. Ii is not intend
ed TO particulatize the many beaut, fol objects by
which the citizens were RECALLED on that evening,
The decorations of the Courthouse, however, were
IA style surprisingly fine; and at private win.
dow, small and unobtrusiye, appeared III distinct
characters amId blaze of light, the Texan Ia.
gle, with one star surrounded by the very appropr.
ate names Of "lcxas-Llberty-H ouston-Car.
Z .Crockett-Fannit''-n that viii long
be remembered, both in North nd South Amacrica.
The great events in Texas have transpircd 10
such rapid succession, that very brief account
OF them may not be unacceptable to the reader
/ The war now waging IN that country commenced
about the month OF December last. 1t has excl
ted The deepest emotions IN the bosoms of all lovers
ot Liberty. Ia point Of principle, it is Identical
with that OF our revolutionary fathers 20. Some
tweriy years ago the province of Texas was
wilderness, occupied and possessed by Indians OF
Inc Zero Il 81,
tlrirs 1t had been tie policy of the Spanish Mon.
arcly totally to exclude all foreigners from access
there, keeping that fine country as the abode o,
blrbafans, that impossible barrier might cx-
~ between Mexico aud the territory now Of the
United States. Aler Mexico had achieved her
independence, and 10 the year ~ established
Conedcralcd Republic, tins jealous and Illbcral
policy vas chanEed and, ia order 10 encourage
aud perpluaie the principles Of liberty, the fine
province OF Texas was thrown open 20 settlement
by foreigners The Indians were sun lhcre-the
country was viii! and uuccarcd; but, subject 10
these obstacles, the most liberal Inducements were
offered TO those disposed 10 encounter ihcm.-
Hundred OF thousands Of acres the most ierliIe
lands IN the world, transferred to Capitalists,
upon condition that they should cause them 10 be
settled upon and occupicd and upon each indi-
vdual removing to that country was bestowed
II
the small sum Of thirty dollars for he survey and
location. All wboS.sited the country unite in re-
presenting part OF il 10 be Of surprising fertility,
and Tie hae,t Of cotton regions, With a salubrlous
and delightful climate. In addition to these in.
ducamcnts, tic great features Of the Constitution
ui 1871, q the II Stcan Republic, were similar
20 tIst ot Tie United States, Texas vas formed
into STATE Government, ia all poets free, with
the right OF representation Ia the Great Conicde-
rated Republic OF Mexico. There was granted to
hcr free religious lucratIon although the Roman
Catholic Religion was that established BY law
For some four years past there has been d rush to
that favored country by tie people Of the United
States Al parts resoundcd with the most fatlcr.
laE and moving accounts OF II, and II would seem
a. 81 n the best and the finest new country
ever offered to an enteryfisiug people Before
these exciting descriptions, the dangers and diff
cuiues Of colonization ware forgotten, and thou.
sands OF our brethren and friends had settled there,
is IA permanent home all apparently pleased,
aud all ia the way Of successful enterprise. When,
OF d sudden, the fair prospect was blghtcd by
Revolution in McKee,, effected BY an ambitious
CtiailaIn. Their liberty was subvertod--the ex-
istence Of the State Of Teras annlh.latcd-iustcad
o. citizens ~ free State, It's people CONVEX
ted into subjects OF Consolidated Government,
with Santa Ana, the author OF the change, sole
Executive, They were deprived Of ue privilege
Of having arms FOR their own defence and the Ro,
mau Catholic Religion 10 be enforced, As
might have been expected the emlgtanls could
not submit 20 such tyranny aud injustice. Arms
were assumed IN defence Of their affairs and thyir
tresites To be slaves Hcv couid MOTTO be du-
ven out the country, they c0uid not, with
out a struggle. No alternative was left
. Int
missioner, tCol. Austin, sent with petitions
for redress and grievances, to the Govern
mcnt at Mexico, was thrown into prison
and confined for twelve mouths. A deep
sense OF common danger and OF common IN.
jury united these people in an indomltable
spirit of resistance. They formed them.
selves INTO Government, and declared
their country independent. This memora.
BILE Declaration Of Independence took place
in the month of March last since which
time, events of surprising interest have
transpred IN rapid succession. Santa Ana,
bold and warhke, the sole Executive Of
the Consolidated Government of Mexico,
aiming at the establishment Of a despotism,
has IN person waged war, at the head Of a
large army, upon the people OF Texas.-
Since his Eruption, in March, until the late
glorious events, his power has been ire
slstlbe, and his course has been marked
IN blood. The slaughter of those taken in
the fort at GoIlad, (among whom was the
celebrated Col. Crockett, THE massacre
of Col Johnston and his corps Of some hun
hundred aud fifty men-the destruction of
Col. Ward and his brave band--and, last
ofall, the cold.booded butchery of Col. Fan.
min and five hundred prisoners of war--but
too well proclaim to the world the sangun.