The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-07

| for publishing an eseray bulletin.
Mr.. Asberry called up senate bill No. AZ,
relative to buying convict farms so as to
get the question settled in the interest of
the colored people. Pending the motion,
the house adjourned till p, m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. McGehee moved to reconsider the
convict bill which was defented in the
morning session, and to lay that motion
on the table.
The house refused to table the motion,
leaving open the question of reconsidera-
ton, which was discussed by Messrs. Hays,
Owsley, Pope, McGaughey Kincaid,
Wood, and Stevenson, of Parker.
Pending discussion, the house took a
short recess to await the presentation of
a medal on the part of citizens of Hous-
ton to Miss Annie E. Bowling, the survivor
of Dick bowling, as slight testimonial
to the daughter of the hero of Sabine
Pass, who protected the state from devas-
tatiop.
At the expiration of the recess the
house was called to order, and Miss Dow
ling, very pretty and modest young
lady, came in accompanied by an escort
of friends, and was directed to a chair on
the speakers stand.
Representatives Dawson and Tolar,
Captain Jack White, of Houston; Dr. F.
E. Daniel and Ex-Governor Lubbock were
seated on the stand.
Miss Dowling's entrance was the coca.
sion for hearty demonstrations of applause
from all parts of the immense hall which
was crowded with spectators, including
over a hundred ladies, many of whom
were the young benefciary's special
| friends.
| The presentation was made in a beauti-
full and eloquent address by Hon. W. P.
Hamblen, of Harris, who spoke as follows:
Miss Bowling
Honors are the gifts of men; heroism is
from the infinite, or like the lightning's
flash amidst the thunders when they break
their bondage in the sky, or like the
meteor's course through the heavens pro-
claiming the majesty on high and filling
the earth with wonder. When fear causes
the lips to tremble and faint hearts give
way; when towards skelk and craven spirits
shrink before the danger, then does God
make heroes, and stamps them with his
sacred seal for man to defy.
In Roman lay we have the story told of
Horatius Coolies. He defended the Sub
lician bridge against the Etruscan host.
He saved his country and great Rome
rose up to do him honor, and though
| long ages dawned and died, and though
the monument erected to his name has
orumbled into dust, yet our hearts are
| thrilled with his deeds of daring. Our
heroes of the Alamo, who shall forget
their sacrifceH The years may roll away
and the dim forgetfulness of the past may
shroud oountry's history, yet the
shrines watered by their blood will be
dear forever. Oh! give us the land
where the hero's spirit dwells and where
their temples are: where garlands are en-
Wreathed to cover the sacred tombs eff
those who gave themselves for the
sacrifce; woe be to that land
that can become unmindful
of those heroes or wherein
the echoes of their praises die. There
was time when the mailed hand of war
was laid upon this people AMI gathering
squadrons we're rushing to the fray; when
ranks were thinned and bleeding breasts
did stem the battles awful tide, and God
like forms sank on the carnage covered
fields. Then, there were homes where
loved ones wept and wives and mothers
failed of consolation when they heard the
tidings from the fray. At such time the
foe had placed his banners on our shores,
and hasty whispered fears were spread
abroad that none were left to succor from
the hostile host Sabine Pass is beleaguered
with the implements of slaughter and
hundred sails whiten that inland sea, and a
freight of invaders are claiming our I'M
protected country as prey. The word
goes forth, "the enemy is upon u.s." our
soldiers are in distant fields and from every
hearthstone comes the prayer for deliv-
erance. There we're with US, whose valor
we did not know, your heroic father, and
him who is seated by your side, with forty
others who sprang from the bosom of that
green isle where there is a martyr for
every hilltop; for every bending bough a
sigh and for every rivulet song, and God
made heroes of them all, and in their
hearts he poured the fragrance of patri-
otto love that gave us safety from desola-
ton.
With trailing banners, the Wanting host
departed from our Texas shores and the
multitude's loud acclaim and tears of Joy
spread the tidings of their glory, and now
you, the daughter of that chief, in pres
ence of your country surrounded by this
dignity of state, receive this testimony in
presence of these here faithful to the ira
ditions of our race which keep green the
memories of the heroic dead.
That father, seated with the Scipios of
old, in the celestial spheres where bright
spirits of great men dwell, now draws
aside the mystic veil to view the
scene, and whilst place this symbol of
our love for him within your keeping, he
beckons you and us where diadems await
the brave.
Hon. Frank R. Lubbock, who was gov
ernor during the war and warm per
sonal friend of Captain Bowling, re-
sponded on Miss Oowling's behalf in a
glowing tribute to her father, speaking as
follows:
"But two hours ago was informed by
some friends that it was desired that !
should accept this gift in the name
of Miss Bowling, the daughter OF
my former friend, R. W. Bowling, of