Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-09-26
The Massacre Of the Alamo.
MADAME CHARLTON EDuoLM.

With rcvcrent finger and hushcd
breath approach this sacred theme.
Tears dim the eyes at the thought of
those heroes dead, who offered up
their lives a sacrifice TO trcedom
Constitutional liberty, that boon
granted to man by God, but ruthless
ly usurped by his fellowman, for
which heroes in all ages have fought
and blcd-for which the Communists
of Germany and France and the
Nihilists of Russia are now struggling
so dcsperatcly-was the war cry of
these brave men. ...
From an able speech of Senator S.
b. Maxey, delivered at Paris, before
Texas Veterans Association, April 2l,
1854, on the forty-cighth anniversary
Of San Jacinto, we find the causes Of
the Texas revolution ably set forth.
Texas, one of the Mexican States, had
been granted certain colonization
rights and been promised as soon as
strong enough TO sustain q separate
State organization, it would be- dis
jointed fromits union with Coahuila,
which was very distasteful 10 the
Texans, as the Mexipans far outnum-
bcred them, and being entirely Of dir
ferent races, language, thought and
ideas of government, made ,their
domination very irksome to tllcihigh
spirited, free-born Americans. Very
much the same kinds of injustice were
practiced upon them as upon our
forefathers by Great Britain, and al
though bearing them, their high
spirits chaicd and the entire colony
grew restivc. But the arrest and in
prisonment in June, 1882, by Col.
Bradburn of VIM. B. Travis and
Patrick G. Jack, two of the most con-
spicuous men in Texas, fred hicm
to open arms and they attacked aud
captured Fort Vclasco, Undoubtedly
Fastening an independent State or
ganlzatiOn
Smarting under such indignities
and oulrages, like the American pa
triots of l776, they resolved to be free,
aud according 10 Thrall, in October
1882, Il number of leading citizens
met at San Felipe, and recommended
the election OF delegates 10 conyen-
lion 10 form constitution. In April
1888, thcconvcntion mctin San Felipe.
A constitution, drafted by Sam llous-
ton, was adopted and submitted TO
the nalauthoritics fOrapproval.
Jut tgc Buruet drew up All able mem
orial, setting forth in burning words
the grievances of Texas, demanding
Il separation from Coahuila and Il
State Government of their own
Stephen Il. Austin was sent as COM
missioner TO present this to the MeXi-
can authorities at the City Of Mexico.
Arriving there he found great pre-
judice awakened against the Texans.
The memorial was treated with dis
dain, the State government haughtily
denied, aud most treacherous of all,
on the way home, Austin was arrest
cd by the order of President Earias,
carried back to Mexico and tmown
into dungeon where he languis!ed
two long years. tW,
Senator Maxey eloquentIy says:
"Very naturally this arbitrary and
despotic conduct, this contempt for
the people of Texas manifested
against the person of her distinguish
ed aud beloved citizen, aroused in
dignation throughout the settlement"
But above and beyond special injus-
tice their innate love of liberty must
have prompted them to sever their
relation with people as ignorant
as slavish and as unprogressive as the
Mexicans.
AS well Try to press back the bold
eagle wings into thceeggshell as to
place the grand, free spirit of Amer
cas- sons and daughters of the nine
teenth century undcrJth rule OF.
royalty-cringing people who have
hardly emerged from the shadows of
the dark ages. q
In the meantime Mexico was con-
yulsed in the thrOcs of an internal
revolution. The Republican govern
mcnt had been overthrown by that
dsurper Santa Anna, self-styled 'thc
Napoleon OF the WcstY who, on the
3d Of 0ctober 1885, issued decree
suspending the functions of all Stale
Legislatures, and was proclaimed die
tator Of Mexico, Texas was now the
only Mexican province which refused
allegiance TO him and he Immediate
ly sent armies into its territory TO
subdue it. About this time Austin
having been released from his
dark dungeon, was joyfully received
by the Texans, a thousand citizens
greeting him at Brazeria on the 9Th
of September, 1895. lie gave a full
account of his mission, his hard
treatment and his observation Of
events in the City of Mexico, which
satisfied him that the time had ar
rived for Texas to act with prompt
ness and vigors lie was Immediate
ly elected Chairman of the Adminis-
trative Council, which issued a cir-
cnlar for the guidance Of the people,
Among other thingsthis council de-
clared in brave words, ,uttered in the
solemnity Of death: "Waris our on
ly resource, thereis no other reme-