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

SteSscH, anu pioiipt III generous Qee0S,
but he is slow of confidence in the in
}tegrity ofothers, and has quick relish
for scandal. He has a profound and
abiding distrust of human nature; and
while he presses the kindest hospitality
on the stranger, he is specializing in his
heart on the probable nature and mag
nitude of the crimes which have driven
the wanderer TO Texas. He will beard
the lion in his den, and outgossip an
army of old women,yet is kind and lib
eral to his friend, and steadfast in his
loyalty to the home OF his choice With
( all their Inconsistencies, the Texans
are falthfal and brave, their country one
Of the loveliest beneath the sun, and
her chief magistrates such men as would
make themselves Of note anywhere.
DAVID G. BuRsET, a gifted and hon
orable man, the first and "provisional'
| President of Texas, was invited to the
executive seat in the darkest hour of
her revolutionary struggle. He is a son
of earnest, unhinching n. jersey, and
while he held the reins of authority,
proved himself the lawful inheri,er Of
her stubborn patriotism.
The year 1885, the year of victory
had made Texas, in effect, free state,
though her independence was not de-
clared in form. Mexico, at war with
herself, and rent by unceasing convul-
sions, had made shipwreck ofth Con-
stitution Of 1924, under which the An
glo-Americanse settlers of Texas had been
lured from their law-protected homes,
to conquer the wilderness. The Con-
stitution of'24 had guaranteed to them,
in due time, state of organization,
and, meanwhile, a fair representation
in the Legislature of Coahuila. Santa
Ana had broken off the confederation of
the States, and with a strong hand CEN
tralised the government into military
despotism. In this process be invaded
the Legislature of the associated states
of Coahuila and Texas, in the midst of
! its deliberations, and put an end to its
existence. He ordered some of the
most refractory Of its members to be
imprisoned, annulled its acts, and de-
clared the country under martial law.
Could the children of the Declaration of
independence hear all this calmly No!
1t was easier to die by their hearths
than see them thus trampled under the
rule of licentious soldiery. One tho't
/ pervaded the land-Texas must know
and maintain her rights-they should
be clearly defined, distinctly admitted,
and strictly respected by Mexico-or
1eras should be independent.
No dissenting voice was raised against
this uItimatum, even when the sangui-
nary Cos was laundering at the west
ern gates of Texas. Freemen born
would as soon resign the air Of heaven
as liberty Of conscience, trial by jury
freedom of the press, and the suprema-
cy of the law. Mexico had denied al
this to her own vassal citizens, and was
pressing upon Texas with strong mi
litary array, with the avowed intention
of compelling her to like submission
Compromise was out of the question:
The Texans flew to arms. Some few
thought to take a middle course, ane
hold fast to their allegiance to Mexico
while they stood resolutely against he
| in defence of a State government an(
! the Constitution of "a. Mexico, o.
rather the army of Mexico, had repudl
ated both and would hear no TERMS
The government Of the U. S. kept aloof
but the people, whom the government
could not restrain, heard the call o
their brethren for aid, and sent forth ;
cheering cry of response. Provisions
ammunition, money--and more thai
moneys worth, hardy, intrepid men
came at demand to help out the nobl'
quarrel. This was wrong in citizens Q
nation in amity with Mexico, but RICH
in men whose creed is liberty. Thos'
who can must settle accurately thl'
question of conscience. The friends
| of Texas said the canse Of all manklnt
was paramount to the Institutions o
any country, and went openly to tn
battle.
i, Thus strengthened by sympathy ant
{ succor from the mother-land, the Iexl
ans met the invader at the Threshold
Goliad and the Alamo, the last strong
/ holds of Mexican power, were wrestet
from her, and Texas ended chain Q
brilliant achievements, such as the his
: tory Of despotism cannot parallel, b.
the total expulsion Of Cos and his arm.
i from the soil. The year 1886 closes
/ upon Texas with doubled territory s
, unstained honor. Sadly different wa
, the history Of 1S36-the year of bloo'