Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-20

mar the first vice president of Texas.
In March, SO, Mr.. Burnet assumed,
and in Dec. of the same year resigned,
the thorny honors Of the Texan presi-
dency three years later, at the Access
sion of Lamar, he came from his retire
ment to serve with him as vicepresident,
and ably, eloquently, and firmly, did he
FIJI his post.
Ex-p:esident Burnet is above the
medium size, simple, manly and direct
IN his bearing, elegant and forcible, but
sometimes harsh in his language, ofre-
solute and fiery temper, open and uncon-
ciliating in friendship and cnmity, and
altogether better fitted to serve than to
please his high-spirited and unmanage-
able constituents. In this lies the great
contrast between Burnet and his sue
cessor. Everybody admits his high
qualities as statesman, everybody con-
fdes in his firm patriotism, and every
body misdoubts Houston on both. yet
on two occasions the majority Of Text
ans have passed by the sober integrity
OF Burnet and borne Houston in their
arms, drunk, wavering and unreliable,
t:om the rumshop 10 their presidential
chair. They loved the winning and
gracious orator, tho they did not re-
spect the man. This is the true solu-
ton of the apparent inconsistency and
debasement of their choice. There was
a shade of generosity too in this politi-
cal folly.
The campaign of San Jacinto was,
up to the day of the decisive victory,
unpopular. The downfall of the for
tressesses of Goliat. & San Antonio, du-
ring the absence of Gen. Houston from
his military duties the needless destruc-
ton OF their garrisons; the retreat of the
army after he took the command before
an inferior force, AN unheard of thing
In the annals of Texas consequent
distress and flight of the population, &
the severe and irreparable loss of Con
GALES, Beason's Mills, and San Fllipe,
which were burned by his orders as he
left them behind, had reused throughout
the land fever of clamorous indigna.
ton. His officers shared inthe discon-
teri, and were loudly threatening to
dlsplace him by general who would
hight, when a messenger from president
Burnet came to the camp and forbade
further retreat. Gen. Houston obeved
the imperative order, and the battle of
San Jacinto was fought and won. Tex
as forgot herdisasters and mortiiications
In the Joy oftriumph, and in the fervent
reaction of feeling she not only forgot
TIE grave charges against Houston, but
asehe lay wounded in his tent, land
wounded In her cause, full of patient
smiling kindness, even for those who
reviled him, she excused his excuses,
and was eager to atone for past invec-
tive by future confidence. Some calm
er heads urged the spotless character,
the Jealous devotion, and unrequited
services of Stephen F. Austin, the
Father of Texas and claimed for his
unquestionable abilities the first place
Of honor. Texas has since moumed
her ingratitude to him who guarded her
cradle IT. the Wilderness. but then the
tide of enthusiasm set for the owoun.
ded of San Jacinto,'' and 1887 saw
Sam. Houston her inaugurated Presi-
dent. The Congress was already in
tensely engaged in law-making, and
turned out acts, charters, amendments,
and combinations, with rapldity
which surprised everybody but the au-
gust body ITSELF Nevertheless gol-
den thread of common sense ran through
all the extravagant legislation. Amid
the newness and efervescence of their
lately acquired freedom, was seen the
stable Anglo-Saxon principle of good
faith. If lavish and inexperienced, |
Texas held steadfastly to the hope and
intention of keeping her engagements
and paying her debts. Houston found
the country unsettled and destitute off
resources, and could do little more than
keep out Of mischief. He acted up to |
this negative virtue; and-except in
some Indian treaties for which his en-
emies withhold due pra;se-went no far
Their. There was war partly contin-
ually talking of active hostilities with |
Mexico, but Houston significantly |
pointed to the empty treasury, and adj |
vised them to wait more fitting sea-
son. His administration was long
pause, wherein Texas took breath for |
future effort. 1t was said before that
SO began in shame and confusion and |
ended in folly. Theinconsiderate cleo |
ton and reckless Legislation of the first
constitutional government deserves the
censnre, and SO the Texians,in the long
rest of this Presidential term of three |
years, thought themselves. They rose
from their apathy and resolved to dol
something-aotat, they had not quite |
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