The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-04-25

homes.
HON. GUY M. BRYAN
was then introduced and on behalf of the
veterans said:
Mr.. President:
You have assigned to me the duty of re-
spending to the address of welcome we
have just heard. MIR. Mayor, 1 speak for
the association in espOnse to your greet
ing: Your welcome comes from the heart
and went to the hearts of these veterans
of Texas. 1t is no ordinary event to them
to receive from you the freedom Of the
capital of Texas and your welcome to
this beautiful city. Situated on the foot
hills of the enclrcling Colorado noun
tains, with the lights and shadows on the
dark green foliage of their sides and sum.
mits, with the quiet vale along the banks
of the clear, rapid waters of the Colorado
river and the rolling prairies beyond,
picture is made of one of the most beauti-
full landscapes the eye of man
ever rested upon-crowned by
this lofty, massive capitol of native
granite, typical of Texan character, orig
inal, strong, of peculiar color and susoept-
IDLE of the highest pOlish-the Lone Star
Texas unity. You welcome us, too, to this
spacious hall, to which the representatives
| of the people of Texas invited the veter-
ans to hold their annual reunicn n, to move
where they moved, looking over the CAPT
| tai city, out on the grand scenery around,
on the Asylums of the Blind, the Deaf and
Dumb, the Lunatic, and last but mightiest
of all, on the rising walls aud domes of
that infant Hercules, the University of
Texas, where the sons of the masses, the
| poor people, can be prepared and trained
without cost of tuition for the highest
walks of life. Here, out of the ranks of
the people will their future leaders come,
| to protect them and free institutions
| from adverse powers and the isms
OF Europe and Asia-to thunuer and plead
as Demosthenes and Cicero, and, if Eeed
be, to emulate the example of the immor-
tai patriots of the Alamo, who died that
Texas might live. And, too, on other
fields, initiate the heroes of San Jacinto.
Mr.. Mayor, for your consideration and
hospitality, in the name of the Texas vet
Grams l return you, aud through you
to the citizens of Austin, their heartfelt
thanks.
| Citizens of Austin, 1 have spoken of
your CITY as it is. Go with me back to that
period when the republic ceased and the
state began, In 1876. was here then, and
speak from personal observation. Austin
then was small village of wooden build
ings, mostly cedar log cabins Of one
story. At the northwest corner of Pecan
and Congress avenue was the Swisher
hotel, one of the most imposing buildings
in the place, part of it two stories
but most of it one-story cottages. On
the opposite corner was a two-story
frame in which George Hancock kept
general merchandise. On President hill,
where now is St. Mary's academy, was a
two-story frame dwelling, the mansion of
the president of the republic. Between
that and where the courthouse now is was
the old land Office, a large frame build
ing. Beyond Waller creek on hill was
the French minister's residence, frame
building. Colonel "Pegleg" Ward, the
commissioner of the land Office, lived in
the house Lewis Hancock now resides in,
which he has enlarged and improved. On
the Avenue, not far from the river, was a
frame buildiI G, the only church in the
place. 1t still stands and is used as a
livery stable. There were a few
other frame buildings, and all the rest
were one story cedar log cabins save on
the old capitol hill VIII ere now stands your
city hall. There sto cd the capitol of the
Republic, frame building of one story,
with two rooms and hall between, the re-
preventative hall and the senate chamber,
in the rear two or three small rooms, used
for committee and clerk rooms, and a
gallery in front. Here on the gallery the
first legislature wer seated in front.
President Jones and his cabinet and ],
Pinkney Henderson the governor elect.
the people or audience in the open air,
On the south end of the old capitol the
Lone Star flag foated, President Jones
delivered his valedictory, closing with
these memorable words "the first act of
the grand drama has closed the Repub-
lie of Texas is no more! The Ions Star
flag fell to the bottom of the staff, the
cannon Numbered from the
arsenal announcing the fact of
the inauguration of Governor Henderson.
felt the tears on my cheeks; turned and
beheld them on other faces. For the mo-
ment many felt sad that our republic, SO
dear to us, was gone, but soon we rejoiced
with Henderson as he portrayed our
future under the flag of the union. o
long may it wave over the land of the free
and the government of our fathers!
Texans, these old men before you repre-
sent the survivors of those who pioneered
the wilderness of Texas and settled it,
who subdued the savage, conquered the
Mexican and created a nation-a nation
recognized by the United States and the
leading powers of Europe; who for ten
years maintained that nation by wisdom in
council and bravery in battle, until they
hearkened to the pleading cry
from the motherland come home, come
back to the flag of your native land! The
English minister, Mr.. Elliot, brought from
the City of Mexico to Texas the recogIi-
ton of the independence of Texas by
Mexico, and assurances of most favorable
treaties with Mexico, England and France,
if Texas would reject the proposition for
annexation. The United States by her
ministers, Murphy and Donaldson, by her
special agents Ex-Governor Wickleff, of
Kentucky, Ex-Governor Yell, of Arkansas,
and Commodore Stockton, of the navy,
made pledges and promises to the people
and government of Texas that prevailed
with the old veterans, and Texas as a
peer of the United States made with her
sister peer a compact to enter the Union
of States.
Such are the deeds of these old men