The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1846-12-23

er and dominion Swha,soeyer;'' and
proclaimed the great principle OF human
liberty, that '',he sovereignty Of the State
resides originally and essentially in the
general, mass Of the individuals v no
compose it, Tosthe government under
thiscons.itution,. as well as 10 that under
the federal constitution, the people Of Tex
as owed allegiance. III i,..
Emigrants from foreign countries, in
Guiding the United States, were invited by
the colonization laws ofsthc State and Of
the federal government. to settle in Texas.
Advantageous terms were offered 10 in
lucc them to leave their own country aud
become MEXICAN citizens. This Invitation
was accepted BY many Of our citizens. in
the full faith that in their new home they
would be governed by laws enacted by
representatives elected by themselves, and
tbs. their lives, liberty, and property,
would be protected by constitutional guar
antees similar to those which existed in the
republic they had left. Under a govern
the year 1885. when military revolution
broke out in the city Of Mexico. which en-.
tirely subvertcd the federal and State con-
s,itutions. and placed military dictator al
the head Of the government.
BY sweeping decree Of Congress
subscrvicnt to the will Of the dictator, the
sevcral State constitutions were abolished,
and the States themselves converted into
more departments OF the Central Govern
rnent. The people Of Texas were unwil-
ling 10 submit 10 this usurpa,ion. Resis-
tnncc TO such tyranny became a high duty.
Texas was fully absolyed from all allegi-
nnce 10 the Central Government of Mexico
from the moment that government had
abolished her State constitution. and in its
place substituted an arbitrary and despotic
Central Government.
Such were the principal causes OF The
Texan rev olu.ion. The people Of Texas
as al once determined upon resistance, and
flew 10 arms. In the midst Of these impor-
,ant ant! exciting events, however, they did
no. omit 10 place their liberties upon a se>
cure and permanent foundation. They
elected members 10 convention, who, in
the month Of March. 1886, issued formal
declaration that their "poli,icaI conncxion
with the Mcuican nation has forever ended,
and that the people ofTcxas do now con.
atitule Free, Sovereign, anu Independent
Republic, and are fully invested with all
The rights and attributes which properly
belong TO independent nations" They
also adopted lor their government liberal
republican constitution. About the same
time, Santa Anna. then the dictator of
Mexico, invaded Texas with a numerous
army for the purpose Of subduing her peo-
pie, and enforcing obedience 10 his arb,ru.
ry and despotic government. On lhc2lst
of April, 1886, he was me, by the Texan
citizen soldiers. and on lha, day was
achiev ed by them the memorable victory OF
San Jacinto, by which they conquered
their independents. Considering tho mum.
bers engaged on the respective sides, his
tory dues not record more brilliant
achievement. Santa Anna himself was
among the captives.
In the month Of May, 1886, Santa An
ma acknowledged, by a treaty will, the
Texan authorities, III the mos, solemn
form, " The full, entire. aud perfect inde-
pedence Of the republic Of Texas" 1t is
true he was then prisoner OF war, but it
is equally true that he had filled 10 recon
quer Texas, and had met with signal de-
feat; thatalis authority had not been re-
voked, aud that by virtue Of This treaty lie
obtained his personal rclense BY it hos
,liles were suspended, and the army which
lad invaded Texas under his command,
returned in pursuance Of this arrangement,
unnolested. to Mexico.
From the day that the battle o! San
Jacinto was fought, until The present hour,
Mexico has never possessed the power to
rcconqucr Texas. In the language Of the
Secretary Of the United States, in des-
patch to our Minister in Mexico, under
date Of July 8, 1912; "Mcxico may have
chosen to consider, and may still choose to
consider Texas US having been at all lines
since 1885. and MS still continuing rebel
liou> province but the world has been
obliged TO take dlfleren. view Of the
matter. From the time Of The battle Of San
Jacinto, in April, 1896, 10 the presen,
moment, Fcxus has exhibited the samc
external signs Of national indepedence as
Mexico herself, and with quite as much
stability Of government. Practically free
and independent; acknowledged as pulii>
cal sovereignty by the principal powers Of
the world, no hostile foot finding rest in
her territory fnl six or seven years, and
Mexico herself refraining for all lha, peri-
od from any further attempt to re-es,abish
her own authority over tiinl territory, i.
cannot but be surprising 10 find Mr.. de
Borancgra" uhe Secretary Of Foreign AZ
fairs Of Mexico) "complaining tina. for thn,
whole period citizens Of the United States
r.