The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-01
Governor o. NJ. Roberts and His Book.

1t is not intended in this article
on Governor Roberts recently pub
lished work, descriptive of Texas,
to explain its various interesting
details, but merely TO refer 10 its
contents in general way, SO as 10
induce others to read it, and thereby
become conversant with the truly
valuable information therein con-
tanned. Nothing is risked III pro-
nouncing this book one among the
best productions of its kind extant
"a fact that will be conceded by
all who carefully read it-and the
whole body of farmers in Texas, at
the earliest moment and without re-
gard to the cost, should procure the
work and peruse its instructive
pages
The original conception of this
treatise on agriculture evidently
sprung from purely patriotic inn
pulse-the motive inducing its pro-
ductiOn was likewise plainly disin-
terested. and the time and research
devoted to its preparation were
manifestly labor of self-devotion
for the benefit of the people of
Texas. These characteristics of the
author are strikingly indicated by
the opening paragraph dedicating
the Work ''tO the Texan farmers
the dcdicating words closing with
the enunciatiOn for the first time of
the scientific truth, that civilization
"begins and ends with the plow."
And if some of those who may
read the work should doubt the
truth of the above aphorism, let
them reflect upon what is properly
understood by the term civiliZa-
tiOn-denOting the condition Of
the most enlightened portion
of mankind, as cOntrasted with
that of the savage and semi
savage races, the origin of which in
the very nature of things must have
sprung from the first breaking OF
tie surface soil for agricultural pur-
poses, with II rudely constructed
wooden plow- stick drawn by oxen
in grapevine or rawhide harness;
and that, assuredly, at or before the
end of mans career upon the earth
all of the arabic lands lying within
the temperate zones will be cultiva-
ted like garden, and adorned with
the various blooms and redOlent with
the fragrance of the lily, the rose,
| and the magnolia. And this or
| iginal conception and modest all
nouncement of the doctrine that ag-
riculture is the true source of the
permanent prosperity of all coun-
tries subsisting under republican
government, is of itself sufficient To
immortalize the sold Alcalde"-a
nickname denOting the title OF pre-
cinct justice of the peace in Mexico.
What a slur upon IL late chief justice
of the supreme court and the pres
ent patriotic governor of our empire
state, and one of the most public
spirited "pay as YOU go" executives
that Texas ever had.
The accurate general description
of the topography of Texas, and its
somewhat peculiar climatic cOndi-
tons, as contained in this discreetly
limited work of only 1873 pages, can
not fail to interest all at least who
cultivate the soil; and, besides, Il
| good WoOd-cut likeness of the au-
thor Oh the frontispiecc, there are
scattered through its pages eight
cOlOred photographic pictures, the
first of which is Il representation
of an Indian chief, adorned
with his full primitive regalia
OF war paint and feathers, the
others being illustrations of various
striking scenes incident to the early
settlement of the country. But
never mind the pictures-they were
probably inserted by the publisher
| toplease the planters wives and chill
dren. More valuable etchings will
be found at the close of this book, in
the form of five small maps, four of
which are cOlOred, and of the size,
respectively, of two open pages, and
designed for reference. These, at n
glance, distinctly indicate the Vari-
Gus soils, growth of the most valua-
bic trees, native wild fruits, grapes,
| plums and pecans, and the grasses
| in the lower coast, middle and
western mountainous regions of the
state, thus plainly exhibiting to the
new settler, or immigrant, the most
| suitable sections for the cultivation
of cotton, the cereals and garden
products. In short, there is scarcely
anything pertaining TO the territory,
water courses, climate, productions
of the soil, minerals, precious metals
and the general characteristics and
resources of tins great state left UNI
touched in the comparatively few
pages of this admirable work.
Now, | would respectfully sug-
gest to the patriotic editors of our
state newspapers that they should
briefly and fairly notice this labor
of love of our modern Cincinnatus,
who, whether he ever held the
handles of pillow or not, it is evil
dent that he knows n great deal
about the most honorable and vir-
tuOus pursuit among men-and
thereby contribute their apprOpri-
ate share of the labor necessary to
disseminate among our people
knowledge of the inestimable value
of this book. AS to that other class
of editors, the most of whom have
already died of their opposition 10
Governor Roberts, why, they only
need to be left severely alone.
X. o. DAVIDSON,
HillsbOro, Texas.