The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-30


AS missionary church and fortress,
it is venerable and has been so bap.
tized in blood, that it is world-fa-
nous.
It has fallen much to decay. aud
instead of our Government making
it the site offs fine monument, it is
station for the mule and ox-teams.
waiting to receive Government
stores. This sacred old fort where
Travis and his immortais fell, should
be well preserved, but the cheek is
made to tingle with shame to think
that the memory Of such soldier
should be neglected and forgotten.
The Alamo, is not the only relic
worthy of mention, but the eye of
every visitor loves to gaze upon the
old Missions of San Juan, San Jose,
and the Mission of Conception, whose
time-honored walls, although much
decayed, exhibit some of their an
cient beauty and grandeur, sending
a melancholy thrill of joy in the
bosom Of every visitor.
The walls of these sacred Mis-
sions century ago, were welcome
sight TO those seeking security in a
land where nothing was absolutely
certain, save death. Their history
is quite interesting, and we shall
ever remember our visit to these
vast piles of ruins, now falling rap
idly into decay.
Our letter is already getting too
long TO allow us to speak of many
other curiosities in and around San
Antonio. If time would permit,
and the patience of your readers
would not become exhausted. I
would speak of the pldzaS, pretty
residences. charming lawns, and
lovely gardens, as well as the San
Antonio and San Pedro rivers. fed
from a thousand sweet springs,
which arise if by magic, and gush
forth from the beautiful Guadalupe
mountains, forming these two beau
tiful rivers running directly through
the towns center, a perpetual de-
light, and constant treasure.
We left San Antonio regretting
that our visit could not be prolong-
ed, taking the stage-coach for Aus
tin, the capital of the State. After
80 miles dusty travel, feasting our
very souls upon as pretty country
as the sun of heaven ever shone
upon, and dotted with nice German
farms looking as pretty as garden
spots, we were almost lost in won
der and amazement, at this WON. .er-
full land of limitless prairiccs bevond
which there SCENE 20 be no bo1nda.
rles. ann which nothing but a net
work of railroads will ever subdue.
The length of our letter precludes
our writing at greater leugth, but in
order to prepare an answer to the
oft repeated interrogatory of those
who desire to come to Texas, we
will say that the more we see of
other communities, the more we love
Texas, and we speak what we think,
when we say that it is the prettiest
and grandest country on Gods green
earth.
From Denison to Houston, and
from the latter place to San Anto-
nio, 1 have seen nothing but fertili-
ty and prosperity. For health there
is no better country, and on our trip
of about seven hundred miles from
Denison to San Antonio via Hous.
ton, [ do not believe the most skill.
ful husbandman could pick out a
dozen acres of poor land on the
whole trip. Where can you find an
other country that can match this
What will this country be when the
millions of rich acres are titled by
industrious men? The thoug hi
quails before the grand contempla
ton. The many thousand vacant
places are being rapidly filled up
pouring in from every side, anC
| quarter. The next census will un
fold a tale that will startle the whole
country
Should you ask us which is ths
most splendid locality we saw, W.
should be somewhat perplexed.
The crops in Texas, are every
where glorious. and everybody seen
to be wearing the smile of gladnes
and good humor. Her people ar,
eminently conservative in ever,
sense of the word, extending th
cordial invitation to men of all par
ties, to come among and rejoice wit
them in their future greatness anl
prosperity. Here, the NortherI
man is as safe, as in Massachusetts
free to think, act and vote as b
thinks proper, none daring to moles
or make him afraid.
In politics, Texas is thorough
| Democratic, and thoroughly in eal
| nest for Tilden and reform" givin
assurance of a majority reaching on
hundred thousand for one whom the
regard, not only the embodiment {
reform, but opposition to centraliz:
ton. CORR upton, sectarianism, hig
tariffs, class legislation, and I'll
emancipation of corruption, misrul,
extravaganza, failure and banI
ruptcy; teaching the wholesome le
sons OF de-centralizing everythin
down to the original conceptions {
State, municipal and personal right
with the exception of the right {
Secession, which thank God, the W.
has decided to be heresy.
Texas is great State, althoug
not appreciated as she deserves |
be, is in our candid opinion I'll
noblest country in the world, wit
: her population rapidly increasin,
bidding fair TO rival New York
less than twenty years. 1t is de
, tined to great ends, and God in ma
ing it what it is. did not make it S
without great purpose.
, We will not speak at length
J Austin and its beautiful surroun