The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-01-13
Judge Waller.
AUSTIN, January 9th, 1881.

1
| Editor Democratic Statesman:
| Your article of yesterday in respect 10
| the late Judge Waller was interesting es-
pecially to the citizens OF Austin. but. q.
il was particularly addressed to them,
have thought proper TO ask you further to
/ insert this communication in your paper
Judge Waller has gone from this world
| of toll to meet those who were his fellow
workers for Texan Independence. His
claim upon the people of Texas for high
estimation is so great that we can never
| do sufficient homage TO his memory The
| work in which he was engaged was not
| local, IL was in behalf of his chosen state,
and the citizens of the state ought TO re-
we're him above almost any man. His was
| the first overt act against the expressions
| of the Mexican government. As early as
| 1892 when the steamer Sabine, command
| ed by Capt. Brown, ran the blockade in
| disobedience TO the express orders of the
| commander of Fort Nelasca, Waller
showed his disposition to resist the ty-
ranny of Mexico. This act was his and
was the first tending towards indepen-
| dence. 1t led to the taking of Velasca,
and then came the Brazoria convention
in which Judge Waller was prominent
member together with William ii. Whar-
ton aud other old heroes.
After this hostile proceeding the spirit
of unrest never quoted until 1916. when
the state was admitted into the Union.
From 1882 until 1880 Judge Waller con-
tinually served the people and been trust
ed by them even as Washington. His
labOrs have never ceased. They were
both civil and military.
As soon as Santa Anna came into pow
er, he showed a spirit of oppression
which the people of Texas opposed from
the very beginning. War was inevita-
BILE. Edwin Waller procured the first
powder, and was soon actively joined by
others in his patriotic movements. The
MeXicans came and We're conquered.
All our forefathers have defended us
from peril in our childhood. The early
settlers, every one, tell of their Indian
fights. None can shOwmore heroic deeds
in this respect than Judge Waller. His
bravery was instigated by a sincere de-
sire of protecting defenseless women and
children, but not from senseless courage
without want of judgement. He occu-
pied the positions of member of the con-
sultation held at San Felipe de Austin;
member of the Constitutional COnYen-
ton held in 1886; President of the Board
of LandCOmmissioners; government agent
TO select a site for the State capitol; first
mayor of the city of Austin, and Post
master-General of the Republic. After
holding this office he retired TO private
life, refusing to be candidate from
Travis county to Congress. lie was, how
ever, afterwards Chief Justice of Austin
county. Throughout all these Onerous
duties, Judge Waller showed integrity of
character and fr1nness of purpose seldom
exhibited by men in such trying times.
Executive ability marks every act of his
life, and givest the reason for the Astounding
confidence mankind had in his powers.
Never since the days of the revolution
has there been his counterpart. So great
was the faith of the government In Ed
win Walters honesty, that he was only
required to give a bond of 100000 as
''agent for the seat of government, when
nearly half million passed through his
hands. When the whole business was
finished, and the present State Capitol
stood then as thing of beauty sin those
days the Republic was indebted to Wal
Ter in the sum of S4119.73. This was eX-
traordinary administrative ability. John
G. Chalmers, secretary of treasury, wrote
to him thus: Ibeg leave TO express my
great satisfaction at the full and satisfac-
tory manner in which you have adjusted
and settled up SO extensive and compli-
Gated a circumstance. rather unusual
with the agents of this government" Can
any man have more fiattering tribute to
his honesty and good character than that!
1t speaks for itself Such high merit
and patriotism deserves all that can pos
sibly be done in honor of the illustrious
dead. a monument to his memory should
be placed by the side of that in reverence
of the heroes of the Alamo, to remind
future generations of the bravery, wis
dom and patriotism of their fOrefathers :;
and to call to the mind of future legisla-
tors the difficulties and hardships tri-
umphed over amid sickness, lack of ma
terials, scarcity of labor, and the con-
slant hostllities of savages by that great
man whom Texas has lost forever.
Yours. V. II.