New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-21

XVI. s14 San FRANCISCO The i History story Company
NevsYork: Frank NJ Derby, 1%9 Church-st.
The second volume Of Mr.. Bancrofts History
Of the North Mexican States and Texas is
deeply interesting one. dealing as 1t docs with the
,orr and chec,xered series of events which led to
the annexation Of Texas, and including the priei
and stormy chronicle of the Lone Star Republic.
with ITS tragedies of the Amo and Goliad and its
terrible revenge of San Jacinto The manner in
which Texas fell into the hands Of the dominant
race has never been set fort, clearly and fuiiy
as in this work, and IL may be studied with much
advantage as a document in the history of State
making From the year 1900 onward the pro-
cesses were in operation which should first suggest.
then facilitate. and finally compel the Anglo
SAXON absorption Of the territory. The position
Of Span in regard TO Texas was always difficult
In order 10 derive benefit from the possession IL
was OF prime importance that the land should De
settled But the Mexican race and its hyDrlds
could not hold il against the incessant hosuntes
of the Indians, and the Mcxicans were, neverthe-
less the only possible settlers who did not threateh
10 become more menacing to the Spanish dominion
than the savages themselves.
The Americans were willing and eager TO tfy
their fortune in this new and fertile region ana
the pressing need of population induced spain 10
make tempting offers to these haruE
and capable pioneers. Manifest destiny hao
indeed been foreshadowed in the advance py thc
United States Government Of claim TO texas
whihc rested upon nothing, and which led 10 'he
neutral ground compromise; an arrangement one
effect OF which was to furnish sanctuary lor
the worst rufiians unhung in both countries anu
TO engender condition of lawlessness winch la'er
helped TO precipitate the end by irritating anu
infaming all grounds of difference between the
10 ax.ufnr QQrn H.
seouently. The recurring conflicts with Spain and
the insubordinate and revolutionary tendencies
OF Mexico chimed in with the as yet unconfessed
American territorial greed to create the situation
out of which sprang that strange recrudescence OF
piracy TO which the deeds of LATTE gave pictur-
esoue and romantic color. Lafitte himself was
unquestionably an ideal pirate chief with grew
ance of the most orthodox description, life
long revenge TO take, and a monopoly Of hatred
10 Spsin He always insisted that he never had
attacked the commerce of any power, though 1t IS
certain that many of his heutenants were less
discriminating, and that on one occasion he was
actually compelled to hang subordinate who had
made the mistake of capturing an American vessel
IAfitte's adventurous career was, however, but
a passing incident, and had no permanent in
fuence upon the fortunes of Texas. What really
gave deep root 10 the American hold upon the
country was the so-caled impresaro system OF
colonization, under which vast tracts were por-
toned out TO colonies Of several hundred families
each. and which gave opportunity to numbers of
hardy and tenacious American frontiersmen, who,
when the time was up, knew how TO fight for their
holdings.
Almost as interesting as the story of the growth
of this strong element of settlement is the account
of the feeble and vacillating policy of the Span
iards and Mexicans. 1t made very little difference
whether the former or the latter governed neither
was ever sagacious enough TO refrain from such
measures as must eXasperate and ALLEVIATE the
American Texans. When the Austin colony was
firmly established and many others had been
planted II spasm of alarm dictated an oppressive
and rcpressive course to the Government. Futile
attempts were made to drive out the new popula-
ton but they would not be driven. For time
they endured oppression. When 1t became APP
parent that passive forbearance would not help
them they took another course, and by making 1t
clear that they would no longer tolerate wrong.
frightened and sienced the bullics and secured
temporary peace. AS regards the course of the
United States throughout concerning Texas, 1t
must be admitted that it will not admit of an
ethical defence. There can be no question that
the possession of the territory was resolved upon.
right or wrong, at very early period, and that
successive Administrations, though by no means a
unit concerning the matter, still contrved in the
long run so to adjust relations that whatever
happened tended to weaken the Spanish and Mex.
lean hold upon the State, and TO strengthen the
position OF the American colOnists.
The latter were. up TO a certain point, content
to remain under Mexican sovereignty. For years
the main desire separation from Coahulla.
The difficulty OF securing that separation, and the
incapacity and dishonesty of the Mex.
lean Government gradually shaped the
idea OF independence which completely
filed the Texan mind at FIRST TO the
exclusion of all thoughts of annexation. 1t is
evident that the plans of Texan Republic
originated in heads more filled with vainglori-
BUSINESS than discretion. The wild life of the
border had doubtless much to do with it. The
men who undertook to put it in operation were
with few exceptions much better fighters than
thinkers and before the republic had been started
il nearly to grief mainly because it's politi-
clans were mere dictionaries, and far more Next
can than American in their political ways. The
disasters of the Alamo and the Goliad would have
been avoided had the provisional government
not been paralyzed by faction fights when il
should have been bending all its energies TO the
organization of its military department. Hous
ton himself was often prevented from carrying
out the most salutary and even necessary meas
ures by the same obstructive frvolites and but
for the battle of San Jacinto. which was after all
fortunate accident and not the issue Of DELHI
crate plans, there can be little doubt that the
Lone Star would have gone down in black night
then and there. There VIII always be difference
OF opinion as 20 the treatment of Santa Anna al
this time. Mr.. Bancroft iustihes Houston in
sparing the Dictator's life, and the position is
altogether tenablc. But good deal may also be
said for the other side. Had Santa Anna been
taken out and shot after drumhead court
martial, few hours from the time OF his capture
il is difficult to perceive how such disposition
of him could have been sincerely objected to. He
had begun by hoisting the red flag. thus formally
announcing that he would give no quarter. He had