The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-20
REMEMBER THE ALAMO"

On March g. 1886, the fortress of the Alamo
surrendered to the Mexican army that had
been besieging IL for twelve days. All Texans
must remember the gallant fight Of its noble
little garrison. When. on February %, 1876,
t he Mexican army, 1000 strong, commanded
by the President of the Republic, aided by
score of generals who had won their honors
in the rebellion against Spain, appeared be-
fore the Texan fortress, and called on the
garrison to surrender there were but lao
men within. These, however, we're brave
M en-: they did not hesitate second, but em-
phatically declined to surrender under any
circumstances. The Mexican army spent Sow
eral days In erecting batteries around the
fort: then sent second flag Of truce demand
ing a surrender, declaring that II the Texans
did not surrender, then they would all be put
to the sword when the fort was taken. Again
the gallant little band declared Americans
never surrender
The Mexican army then began bombarding
the Alamo from five different batteries and
continued this without cessation for twenty
four hours, throwing over 200 shells into
the fortress The Texas sharpshooters an
swered this with their rifles and picked Off
man after man from the Mexican ranks.
Seeing the hopelessDess Of taking the fort by
bombarding 1t, the Mexicans resolved to
storm it. This was tried repeatedly day
after day, for more than week, but the Mex
leans we're driven back every time with great
loss. Provisions however, had become scarce
inside the fortress the Texans had lost
large number of their men, while those that
were left were completely exhausted by their
continuous watching and fighting. On March
6 came the last fight. Twice in that morning
the Mexicans assaulted the fort, and twice
were they driven back. A third assault was
more successful; the Texans could not load
fast enough to keep up firing. A hand to
hand fight ensued, the Texans dubbed their
rifles and fought with the utmost desperation
until only six of their number were left. These
surrendered under the promise of protec-
ton. All remember what protection was given
them. The unfortunate prisoners were hacked
to pieces, while the very bodies of the dead
heroes were burned by the merciless Greasers.
Such was the massacre of the Alamo.
Those who read the story Of the Texas reg
ulators ut Ell Paso will see this massacre
repeated For four days twenty Texans
defended themselves against thousand
wild and desperate Greasers. They fought
as we'll as the heroes Of the Alamo fought,
and only yielded when their ammunition was
out Six were killed in the fight, and three
| were massacred afterwards. or the twenty
Texans only one-haK are left.
When the Texans met Santa Anna at San
Jacinto, a few weeks after the massacre OF the
| Alamo their watchword was Remember the
Alamov' Shouting this cry they were irwin
chile, and the Mexican army was routed,
| scattered and finally surrendered
It Is to be hoped that the resemblance be-
tween El Paso and the Alamo will not be con-
| fl ned to the massacre of Texans alone.
The Eastern press will doubtless treat us on
this occasion to a large dose of sentimentalism.
We shall hear again ard again Of our "sister
republic" be treated once more to the story OF
those Salt Lakes as IL the only question at
issue was one of salt; hear much OF Diaz's
good intentions etc. The massacre at Ell Paso
will not be satisfied with this; 1t demands
punishment. It makes little difference
whether the murderers are Mexican Greasers
| or Texan Mexicans; whether citizens OF the
United States or not, they are Mexicans in
sympathy, language and ideas. and Mexico
| is directly responsible for their act. 1t encour-
aged them to commit it; it pursuaded them
that, no matter how horrible were the muir
ders they committed on American soil, they
had but to cross the river and our " sister
republic" would throw its protection around
them and refuse all the demands Of the
United States for their extradition.
In whatever light the subject be viewed it
is indisputable that Mexico is accessory to
this massacre. The action of the Mexican
authorities on the Lower Rio Grande, in re-
fusing to deliver up murderers to this gov
ment, was standing invitation to all Greas-
er, to do murder on American soil when
they would The United States must punish
these murderers. 1t will find, the moment
this punishment begins, that these Mexican
murderers will seek refuge on the sacred
soil' Of Mexico and from the protection Of the
Mexican authorities they must be taken, war
or no war. This blood cannot be wiped out,
as the Eastern press would persuade us,
either by a railroad to Mexico or by q recipro'
] cal treaty with our sister republic. "Remem-
i Der the Alamo"