Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-10

established q federal constituent, uhueT
which the Mexican republic was compos-
ed of a number of sovereign States, con-
federated together in a federal Union 81
m;lar TO our own. Each OF these States
had its v executive, legislature, and
judiciary, and for all. except federal pnr-
poses, was as independent OF The general
government, aud that Of the other States,
as is Pennsylvania or Virginia under our
constitution. Texas and Coahuila united
and formed one OF these Mexican States.
The State constitution which they adopt
ed, and which was approved BY the Next
can c~onfederacy, asserted that they were
'free and independent OF the other Next
can United States, and OF every other
power and dominion whatsoever and
proclaimed the great principle Of human
liberty, that 1.-THE sovereignty OF the State
resides originally and essentially in the
general mass Of the individuals who COM
pose it," To the government under this
constitution, as well as to that under the
federal constitution. the people Of Texas
owed allegiance.
Emigran,s from foreign countries, in
GLIDING the United States, were invited
by the colonization laws Of the State and
Of the federal gcvernment TO settle in
Texas. Advantageous terms were offered
TO induce them TO leave their own country
and become Mexican citizens. This in
~vita,ion was accepted by many Of our cit
liens, in the full faith that in their new
home they would be g%overnedby laws en-
acted by representatives elected by them
selves, and that their lives, liberty. and
property would be protected by constitu-
tional guarantees similar 10 those which
existed in the republic they had left
Under a government thus organized they
continued until the year 1885, when a
military revolution broke out in the city Of
Mexico. which entirely subveried the fed
eral and State constitutions, aud placed
a military dictator al the head OF the gov
eminent.
By a sweeping decree of q Congress
subservient to the will Of the dictator, the
several State constitutions were abolished.
and the States themselves converted into
mere departments Of the Central Govern
ment. The people OF Texas were unwlll-
ing to submit to this usurpation. Resis-
lance to such tyranny becomes a high duty.
Texas was fully absolved from all allie
glance to the Central Government Ut Mex
leo from the moment that government had
abolished her State constitution, and in ito
place substituted an arbitrary and despotic
Central Government.
Such were the principal causes Of the
Texan revolution. The people OF Texas
at once determined upon resistance, and
few to arms. In the midst Of these i'm
portant and exciting events, however, they
did not omit to place their liberties upon
a secure and permanent foundation.-
They elected members to a convention,
who, in the month OF March. 1896, issued
a formal declaration that their political
c~onnex,on with the Mclean nation has for
ever ended, and that the people OF Texas
do now constitute q FREE, SOVEREIGN and
INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC and are fully in.
vested with all the rights and attributes
which property belong to independent ma
tons" They also adopted for their gov
ernment a liberal republican constitution.
About the IN time, Santa Anna. then
the dictator OF Mexico, invaded Texas with
a numerous army for the purpose OF sub
dung her people, and enforcing obedi-
ence TO his arbitrary and despotic govern
men,. On the 2lst of April, 1886, he
was met by the Texan citizen-soldIers, and
on that day was achieved, by them. the
memorable victory of San Jscinto, by
which they conquered their independence.
Considering the numbers engaged on the
respective sides, history does not record .
more brilliant achievement. Santa Anna
himself was among the captives.
In the month OF May. 1896. Santa An
ma acknowledged, by treaty with tine Tex.
an authorities, in the most solemn form,
1.-THE full. entire, and perfect indepen-
dence of the republic of Texas" 1t i.
true he was then a prisoner of war, but it
IS equally true that he had failed to recon-
quer Texas. and had met with signal de-
feat, that his authority had not been re-
voked. and tina, by virtue Of this treaty he
obtained his personal release. By it hos
%tilties were suspended, and the army
which had invaded Texas under his com
mand returned in pursuance of this ar
rangemen, unmolested, to Mexico.
From the day tina. the battle Of San Js-
cinto was fought until the present hour,
Mexico has never possessed the power TO
%reconquer Texas. In the language of the
Secretary Of State of the United States. in
a despatch to our minister in Mexico, un-
der date Of the eighth Of July, 1912,
Mexico may have chosen TO consider,
and may still choose 10 consider Texas as
having been at all times since 1888, and
as still continuing, a rebellious province;
but the world has been obliged TO take a
very different view of the matter. From
the time of the battle Of San Jacinto, in
April. 1886, to the present moment, Tex
as has exhibited the same external signs
Of national independence as Mexico her.
self, and with quite as much stability of
government. Practically free and inde-
pendent, acknowledged as a political SOW
ereignty by the principal Powers Of the
world, no hostile foot finding res, within
her territory for six or seven years, and
Mexico herself RETAINING for all that PEE
Rod from any further attempt to re.es,ab.
llsh her W authority over that territory.