New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-19
LETTER FROM HOUSTON.

tOrs-Address of Colonel w. II. Hatch
| Houston in 1SS2-Speech of General
i Sheridan - Texas for Greeley and
/ BrOwn-Republican state Convention
! The Fair all the Rage.
| Especial Correspondence of the Republican,
HOUSTON, May Is, 1872.
| 1 happened to be in Houston in 1887
shortly after the battle of San Jacinto had
been fought and won by the brave Hous
| ton and his gallant little band of Texan he
roes, but then the scene was quite different
from that which the people are now called
upon to behold. The seat of government
for the new republic had just been located
at Houston, which was yet in an embryo
state. The scene then presented partook
far more of military than civil life.
Houston was covered with tents, IN which
the people dwelt, and the most fashionable
saloon in the new city was kept under a
tent known as Kesler's Arcade. Several
thousand people were then congregated
here for the purpose of building up capital
for the Lone Star republic, which had just
taken its stand among the nations of the
earth. The capitol building and the Presi-
dents house were finished in 1887, and
Houston contained but few other buildings
at that time.
At this time General Houston was Presi-
dent, and Congress had commenced its SEES
sions in Houston. In 1888 General Lamar
was elected President, and in 1889, through
his influence, the seat of government was
removed to Austin. This deprived Hous-
ton of one-half of its population, and for a
long time it continued to grow small, if not
beautifully less. But Houston has evil
IDENTIFY passed its days of tribulation and
sorrow, and has now entered upon a scene
of civil life far more animating and prom
ising than any thing that was presented in
its early settlement.
Although last Saturday, May II, was the
commencement of the third annual State
fair of Texas, the opening day was not
thoroughly inaugurated until yesterday,
when Colonel w. H. Hatch, of St. Louis,
delivered the opening Grafton, in the pres
ence of from fifteen to twenty thousand
delighted people.
By this time large number of exhibitors
had arranged their goods in the beautiful
and spacious Fair Ground buildings, and
the immense Fair Grounds were filed with
a greater variety Ofpeople, all bent either
on business or pleasure, or both, than is the
common lot of man to see at fairs in this
country. We had no idea that Texas could
boast Of so fair a sample of "fair ones" at
her fairs. The Fair Grounds were literally
covered with EYES fair daughters, many of
them perfect gems in all that can grace true
womanhood.
Colonel Hatch made his appearance about
eleven O'Clock, and was formally introduced
to S. s. Munger, President of the Agrichl-
tural, Mechanical and Blood Stock Associa-
ton of Texas, In the presence Of the vast
coneourse of men, women and children,
gathered around the stand to witness the
ceremonies about to take place.
President Munger made a short and ap-
propriate address, welcoming Colonel Hatch
to Texas as it's hOnored guest. President
Munger said it was but two years since the
which he now had the honor to
initiated this grand enterprise.
TimOrous minds and cynical tongues then
predicted failure for the enterprise, but
success equal to the most sanguine expecta-
tons had crowned the efforts of the asso-
citation, and it now took its place among
the most beneficial institutions of the day.
He said its objects were to aid in bringing
into the State better stock, better and more
abundant machinery, better seed and bet
ter modes of cultivation, and lastly, though
not least, said Judge Munger, it is proposed
to encourage the coming of men of ability
into the State to stir up the blood and
arouse the energies of the people of Texas
to development Of the mighty resources
IF the State.
Colonel Hatch then addressed the people
1t great length, abiding in eloquent Ian
gnage to the great natural advantages and
capabilities of Texas. His speech glowed
with useful statistical information, all going
70 prove the immense resources of this mag
lifcent State, which, he claims, is an en-
lire of itself, capable of sustaining a popu-
alton of 1OO,OO00OO. He drew a vivid pic
ure Of the, prospects of Houston. and. al
uding to its advantages as manufacturing
md commercial point, predicted that in
S82 it would contain population Of 900, 600.
he said it had already established itself as
he great railroad centre of the South, and
that when the New Orleans, Mo |
,ile and Texas road was finished to Hous- !
on, there would be very little left for Gal |
-eston to do but fish.
win retain a copy of Colonel Hatch's |
-ery valuable speech for the purpose of ex-
racting from it hereafter.
1t is now most evident that the people of |
Texas are deeply interested in the election
f Greeley and Brown. Last evening Gen
raj George A. Sheridan, of New Orleans,
addressed q large assemblage Of people in
ront of the Hutchens House. He advo-
'ated the election of the Cincinnati ticket, |
nd was enthusiastically cheered through
nut. The people are spontaneously and IA
Iorably responding to the Cincinnati nomi-
lauons all over the country. The success
u the ticket should no longer be considered
'robiematical since the people have deter
mined to move in the matter independent
f former party ties.
The Radicals are now holding Republi-
an State Convention in this city. The CON
entiOn commenced its sessions last TpAs-
ay, in the Perkins Theatre Judge John
cott Of Anderson county, was chosen On