Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-08-06
Vol. xXxVH-WhoIe No. 1859.

that once knew nought 9ut Inc Wlld aoo-
rigines. When the Jesuit first planted his
foot here, the American nation had no ex-
istence. Then it was the easy, quiet
working priest, striving to extend the do
minions of his Order. Now it is the
busting cry, " Hurra Go ahead Our
watchword is Progression ~ Before the
onward march of the Anglo Saxon, the
Jesuit gives up his sacred altars, and the red
man forsakes his hunting ground; nothing
impedes lis progress. That people that
were once a mere handful on the banks Of
the Elbe, appear to have been selected by
God TO civilize the world. Here, at the
same time that the old monasteries of the
past ages are crumbling TO dust, the pres
ent is rearing palaces of justice" and
temples of the Most High.
There is no place in the United States
that has passed through as many adversi-
ties as has the city of San Antonio, and
for as long n time as il has been place Of
war and bloodsbed. 1t has been taken
and retaken by the Spanish, Mexican, IN
dian and American, IN all ninety times.
Eleven times between the Americans and
Mexicans. 1t is sacred place in the re-
collection of the young Republic-here
some of her youngest supporters fell.
The old Texan with pride will point out
the sacred spots, and with feeling, yes,
with tears, relate the incidents connected
with them. lie shows you the Alamo
where their bravest and greatest men died
where they were slaughtered like beasts.
There scenes transpired that made the
rough, stern, hardened Texas backwoods-
man lay down bis rifle and for a moment
forget the perils of his country, and sit
down TO weep over the cruel death of
Travis and his companions. Here died
the eccentric Davy Crockett, whose name,
in my youth, was a household word
Bowie, whose knives are notorious, was
wickedlv butchered on sick bed. In the
Alamo $50 men were garrisoned. they
were overpowered by Santa Anna, with
5000 Mexicans, and all killed except
Crocket's servant and a woman. These
men were martyrs, they breaihed ont their
lives for the cause Of liberty. Contem-
plating these things, the firm republican
again grasPed his rife with renewed vigor,
and swore revenge-that he would be free
that no race of beings with so little hu-
manity should rule over him. With
united effort they did burst asunder the
bands. threw off the Mexican yoke, and
freedom was the result. The little band
of revolulionists succeeded ii became in
dependent. and now secure under the pro-
lection of the mother Republic, lis found
ers are reaping an abundant reward.
San Antonio is certainly great place.
1t is the New Orleans of Texas. The
central point Of Western trade. The head
quarters of the 9Th department of the u.
S. Army. Also the head quarters Of all
the high handed yiIlainy, Of the gambling,
robbing and horse thieving part Of the
community. But il is improving i'll this
respect, the fathers of the city are passing
wholesome ordinances, checking vice, and
breaking up the Pandemonums of wick
ednPss many sporting gentlemen have
cursed the place for becoming too civilized
and left with disgust, and respectable and
substantial citizens from the old States are
taking their places. For two months past
the District Court has been in session; it
sent seven representatives from this county
to the State penitentlary, at Huntsville. II
also ground through a great quantity of
old knotty land trials. Laws are now be-
coming as strictly enforced in this wild
country as in the older States. With
mild and healthy climate, a fertile soil,
with an intelligent and law abiding people,
this region holds out many inducements
10 those seeking a new country.
The citizens are pulling down the old
Mexican prison house and jacals. and in
their places putting up large and tasty
houses for permanent homes and conven-
lent stores. Our Mexican population are
composed of all classes from the Castillian
down TO the peon and ranchero they are
generally passive sort Of creatures in
comparison to the Americans. Some of
them are men Of wealth and live eindepend-
ent; others are grand rascals and live as
they can. But the leading men in evrv
department Of business, lawful or unlawful,
are the real old yankees sthemseIves.-TFue
Delta.