Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-10-05
For the Dallas Herald.
WHAT AN OLD TEXAN SAYS Z:

MIX. EDlTOH - W Hcu h'ob S'H's w
Texas, n young man, with no mercenary
spirit, but rather seeking perilous adven-
ture than comfort and wealth, l found an
infant colony struggling for freedom
against q powerful nation. Texas was
then passing through fiery ordeal, one
which none but the stoutest nerves and
bravest hearts could stand. 1t was peri
cd in her history fraught with many thrill
ling Incidents; when deeds of the noblest
daring were performed by the gallant
band that upheld her banners through her
terrible conflicts. But what of Texas
now?
What n contrast Texas presents tn is
year Of from that Of SO. In 1896,
thirty six years ago, from an infant colo
ny struggling 10 be free from the oppres.
>ors chains, she is now mighty free and
independent State, rivaling, in oil the es-
sential elements of greatness, any OF her
older sister States of the Union. AT no
period in the history Of any State, was
there manifested in its growth such rapid
prosperity as that of the present position
Of the "Lene Star Stats"
In the way of representing and con-
trasting Texas in early days with Texas
of the present day, will take occasion to
say, that I we'll remember when IL was
unpopular to be Texan when Texan
was regarded by citizens Of the States MS
a desperate character, and many an ex.
citing and angry discussion l have had
defending the character Of the Texan
nEainat the assaults of citizens Of the old
Stntes.
I have n vivid recollection Of the time
oaep il wns regarded n, suspicious cir
cumslance when q man had departed from
any Of the States for Texas. | remember
well ne day when the man who left any
Of The older States for Texas, was regard
ed in the light of a criminal flying to es-
cape the penalty Of some..crime. 1t lie net
great many years since, when the man who
left for Texas was considered to be goiug
where the law would not Interfere with
his particular business. "Goue to Texns"
was % common remark, when any one had
mysteriously disappeared from his usual
haunts. But those days are past and gone
old impressions are removed and new
ones have taken their place, it now being
as popular and credit,ble to 60 to Texas
as it was, Mt one time, unpopular and dis
creditable, and as one Of its earliest de.
tenders and Oldest friends, take pride
in witnessing its growth and prosperity,
and the rapid strides it has taken to free
itself from stigma once attached to the
phrase, "Gone to Texas
am pleased to see the spirit Of enter.
prise that is being manifested by the pco.
pie Of Texns--to see that they are becom.
ing awakened to tho demands of the age
that the well being of their country and
the vital importance of public improve
ments to the accomplishment of great
ends, are matters that are now animating
them. | rejoice to see evidences that both
politically and commercially new era Of
prosperity is at hand for this most beau.
tiful portion of Gods footstool. Itake q
lively interest in all that relates to her
interest No one Of her citizens can take
a greater interest in all that pertains 10
her future greatness and glory than do.
take pleasure in Witnessing the enter
prises that are developing her vast re-
sources and which will one day give to
her proper status among the States OF
the Union.
The greatest enterprise Of the age, the
Texas Pacific Railroad, will solve great
practical problem for the people of Texas
in very few years from this day. This
gigantic enterprise is now in the hands Of
the great railroad spirit of the age, Col
Thos. A. Scott. Ihave known him inti-
mately from his youth. know him to be
a man Of great experience indomita-
BILE energy; of liberal and expansive
views, and one who yields to no difficulty
but goes ahead prostrating whatever OBJ
s:acle lies in his way, and the completion
fthe Texas Pacific railroad can be relied
on in less than five yoars from this day.
You can all now prepare yourselves for
the time when this great work will be
completed when the grea. lighting ex-
press win 60 flying through Texas from
ocean TO ocean when the commerce OF the
far off East Indies and the spice laden
isles Of the Pacific and Indian oceans,
with the gold and silver bullion Of Mexi
co, will roll through your State, paying
both honor and tribute 10 IL. Besides 1t
will open up enterprise by developing the
great resources Of Texas, aud present 10
the world her own immense mines Of
wealth, that now lie hidden within her
own borders. Her course Is onward, riv-
alipg all her sister States and Territories,
nhu VIII e'eueuo-y eufphss shem oii ~
every element Of greatness. No State or
Territory in the Union offers so mangif.
cent field for railroad and sll other en-
terprises as Texas. With larger amount
Of territory than all the New England
States combined-with soil Of unbound
ed fertility, adapted to the cultivation Of
all the great staples raised in the entire
upion-with inexhaustabble mines Of the
riches. minerals in the world-with eli
m,.- unexcelleS for salubrity with any
country on e....h, Texas cannot ,.,;oe ,a,, 70 o.
come the goal Of an immense poPu.a,
She IL now under full heau~-- a"u .Any
Of the veterans Of her early strugs. ~ iV'
independence may liFe "a sfe the day
when she Is erected into mighty sNpire;
when the alone Star" of Texas Ein giit-
ter the brightest star in the eslstFy 81
American States.
G.NELsos Saith.