The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-16
Texas from 1916 TO Is74-Its Railroads,
Governors, Etc.
BY J. N. MoRPu1s.


The annexation Of Texas brought on the
Mexican war, wherein Gov j. p. Hender-
son and thousands of Texans participated,
and gained great glory at Palo Alto, Resaca
dc In Palma, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo,
Molina del Rey Cherubusco and other IA
NOUS victories of Gems. Scott and Taylor,
which eliminated in the capture of the city
of Mexico, and were followed by the treaty
Of Guadalupe-EIid February 2, 1S4S,
and the annexation of California as well as
Texas TO the American Union. OF the gal
liant men that took part were those of
Col. Jack Hays's celebrated regiment, of
which Sam Walker was lieutenant colonel,
Mike Chevallie major, and Tom Green, Ben
McCulloch, Claib c. Herbert, ]. B. McCown,
Kit Acklin, 5. l.. Ballow, Eli Chandler,
Frank Early, apd r. A. and James Giles
pie were captains. Most all these gallant
soldiers, after distinguished careers, sleep
with the dead; but | will conclude this
paragraph with the prayer of one of them,
Capt J. b. McCown, Just before the storming
of Monterey: 'sOh, Lord, we are about to
join battle with vastly superior numbers of
the enemy, and, Heavenly Father, we would
nightly like for you TO be on our side and
help us, but if you can't do it, for Christ's
sake don't 90 over to the Mexicans, but Just
lie low aud keep dark, and you will see one
of the d-dest fights you ever saw in all
your born days" This prayer has also been
attributed to Three-legged Willie.
- Had all Mexico been annexed to the
Union, It would, in all probability, have
given peace and development to the revolu-
tionary-l0ving children of Montezuma and
rendered entirely unnecessary the sad fate
of the amiable Macmillan and the down
fall of the Mexican Empire. 1t might also
o4f..r.la1 a., Tor. fho 81
the South, and possibly thereby prevented
the late civil war; but Providence decreed
otherwise.
In 1850, Texas sold to the United States
portion Of It's northwestern territory, In
Guiding Santa Fe, for the sum Of ten mil
lions OF dollars. With this money the
State paid its debts, erected its public build.
ings, founded asylums for the deaf, dumb
and blind, as we'll as sanctuaries for poor,
unfortunate lunatics, whom sorrow or mis-
fortune had rendered incapable of taking
care of themselves.
Two millions of dollars were set aside n.
a common school fund, ana six Thousand
dollars per mile were loaned to railroad
companies, in order "a facilitate their con
strdction.
The Southern Pacific, Houston and Texa
Central, and Galveston, Houston and Hen
derson Railroad Companies, etc, were char
tered. immigration and capital flowed int
the State to such an extent, that in 1860 it
population was 604, els.
In 1861 selfish politicians, party spin
and sectional animOsity (eniendered by th
agitation Of the slavery Question: place,
Texas with her sister Southern States In tn
late deploNble and unfortunate, but eve
memorable civil war between Americans
In Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, a
we'll as in Arkansas, Missouri, and all inter
vcning States Texans poured their blool
like water and for four long years fought
bled and died until st. Andrews cross wa
fuTied forever az Appomatox.
During this time all internal improve
ment ceased, immigration stopped, rail
roads were run in the interest Of the Con
fedeFacy, farms were abandoned and man
brave and gallant soldiers who had cor
tended with impetuous valor at Manassas
Shiloh, Fredericksburg, and in the Wilder
ness. against vastly superior numbers, r,
turned 10 their once lovely homes and foun
them abandoned or in ruins,
IN 1855, after grim visaged war ha
smcolhcd his wrinlSled front,
ssPcaec hsgan her victories
No less reaoVna thea war.
Old fences and houses were repaired, ne
houses wero built, new fields were .iEeloseC
new farms opened. and Northern immigr
ton aud capital, with lalorsaving mi
chinery and industrious habits came I
Texas, and were received with open armc
welcome hospitality and kindness. hecaus
those Texans who had been born ana reare
in the North had endeared themselves
the Others By their fidelity and devotion I
the State Of their aiopiion.
it IS a noted fact thar no Confederate -
dicrs fought drawer nor died. nsore paiiantl
than those born and rcared IN the Norfl
and L should Be lcrvcntly hilfed ~ An ~
patriots that the late unhappy strarrle NJ
Is looked upon - the good people az bol
sections As : little quarrel anil irht letwel
br0lhcrs-to bt regretted ana hereafter rs
ever By both, 70 b iOfgiven. and rcmer
borcd onIy 10 prevent 4 reps tition ~ So,
deplorable calamity.
Indeed. IS 6 Texan and citizen Of 4
American Union, / can truly say, ia 4
language Of the poet;
efao rot k1ou thst Araerirsaaiire
Win utCl1 ms sonI r. ans Sd 1l odds.
Aclc lbaa ~ iaiaaf tlsl . olrn lenIEhl.
Iree tie military and carpi.- bag admin