The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-08
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
He DIscouses on the Progress of Texas, and
Tells of Events in the Mexican War.

He DIscouTses on the Progress of Texas and
Tells of Events in the Mexican War.
Houston (Tex } Special.
The following letter from ex President jeff
Davis, of the Southern Confederacy, was re-
ceived by the Houston Post tonight It will be
forwarded to Maj John Ellis, at Dallas. and read
before the reunion of old settlers and ex-confed-
crates, now being held in that city;
BEAUvoIR, Miss, July 49,
My Dear Sir-I have received yours of the
2Sth inst, and the renewed invitation to attend
the reunion in Texas, of the old settlers and ex-
confederates intensifes the regret heretofore ex
pressed at my inability to be present on that oc-
casion The very gratifying terms of your
letter revive the grateful recollection of the
many manifestations Of the kind regards of
your people From the date of your revolution
and admission as an independent State of the
Union have watched your progress and de-
velopment with the hope and expectation that
Texas would be, in the fulfillment of her destiny
the Empire State of the Union. A variety of
climate. soil, mineral and agricultural produc-
tions form solid basis for such anticipations,
should her territory remain undivided. 1t was
with such hopes for her future that in the Off
cial position to which refer resisted the trans
fer of the northern portion of the State to the
public domain of the Uuited States. But, shorn
of that portion of her territory which was
north of the parallel of 36o, there vet re-
mains enough to justify the assertion alluded
to above. The expansion of cultivation has no
substituting the usefulness of agricultural man
for the beauty of nature. Years ago in its
wilder state, went over the wide spreading
plains, carpeted with primroses, while here and
there were isolated groups of sturdy oaks, and
felt the charm of scene where nature had, on
a scale too grand for mans imitation, laid out
parks replete with beauty. But che last cher
ished memory is that of the cordial. unconven-
tional welcome of the great and free-hearted
sons of Texas, Therefore, have said eTexanp
instead Of a Highland" welcome the wide world
over
The approaching reunion is to bring together
the men whose friendships were formed in camp,
and which have the sure, enduring foundation OF
having been cemented under the severest of toll,
privation, suffering and danger, by which all
that is weak, and meanly, and selfish is exposed.
Happy, indeed, must such reunion be- and
from afar send you my warmest congratula
tions to the hardy old settlers" who, againstdes-
perate Odds won the battles of the war of indie
pendence.
Of the veterans who served in the war with
Mexico how few, how weak and withered, of
their force, wait on the verge of dark eternity.
The Romans gave to Great Britain and to the
United States, in the rules and articles of war
the basis of military establishment of
people who attained to the highest degree of
military glory and it was rule among the Ro-
mans richly TO reward their generals when re-
turning successful from foreign war, but never
to grant triumph for victory won in inferno
cine strife. With us the rule has been reversed,
and the veterans of the war with Mexico have
been the subjects of special discrimination.
During the progress of the Texas revolution
distinguished officer left the United Statesarmy
and went unheralded to join the struggling Tex
ans and entered their service as private. His
ability as well as his reputation attracted
notice, and step by step he rose to the command
of one of her armies. Baptized in her
service, he became her adopted son. When the
war occurred between the United States and
Mexico he led regiment of Texas to join the
~. I'll.
old settler and aveteran of the war with Mexico.
He subsequently, re-entered the army of the
United States, of which he was q brevet briga-
der general When Texas seeded from the
Union and war was inaugurated between
the States, true to his allegiance to his
adopted mother and sovereign, be left
the army of the United States and
offered his sword to the Confederacy. When
a confederate army when one of
the great battles of the war and victory were
within his immediate grasp he fell mortally
wounded upon the field. Great in council as in
action faithful in every relation of life, he died
as he lived, the devotee of duty, and left behind
the good name which gives grace ond perpetuity
to glory. Need it be said to Texans that refer
to Albert Sidney Johnstonq All that was mortal
in that hero reposes in the soil Of the land he
loved Generously patriotic, Louisiana is con-
structing an equestrian statue to his memory, a
tribute twice blessed to that portion of the State
in which your reunion is to be held.
There came to the army In Mexico Colonel
Woods regiment of cavalry. was closely asso-
ciated with them on critical occasion in the at.
tack on Monterey. Should any of the survivors
be with you please present my fraternal greet
ing to them Rocked in the cradle of the revo
luton, the history of Texas is full of heroic
Deeds from the self-sacrifcing band of the
Alamo, who gave to their State the example of
how men should dare and die to project the
helpless, in the defense Of Sabine pass, which
for intrePidity and extraordinary success,
it must, I believe, be admitted, has no par
allel in the annals of ancient or modern war
fare Texas is now boldly striking onward in
the conquests Of peace, and cannot wish for
hera brighter future than that, in agricultural,
mining, manufacturing educational, social. and
religious efforts, she may gather wreaths Of oak
worthy to mingle with the fadeIess laurel that
iecks her brow Deprived of the happiness of
meeting for the last time the old settlers, and
sx-eonfederates in their reunion, of receiving
5he friendly welcome and feeling the warm
grasp Of their hands, / send to them my earnest |
prayer that every good and perfect gift may be |
vouchsafed to them, and remain faithfully,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.