The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-28

restored peace. Thus he who had planted
saved the colonists second time. The
peace thus secured was celebrated with
gratitude and banqueting in the old capl-
toll at San Felipe de Austin, and the
grand men of that day hailed Austin as the
founder and savior of his country. At a
banquet given him he was toasted as "The
angel of mercy and the harbinger of
peace"
And now the colonies had grown strong,
the spirit which demanded separate
statehood in compliance with the Consti-
tuition of Coahuila and Texas of 1924
could no longer be represssd. The con-
vention of 1888 established a constitution
for Texas, and looking over all the colo
MES but one man was found who would
undertake the delicate duty of going with
that Constitution to the Mexican capital
and demand recognition as state. That
man was Stephen F. Austin. Impartial
history will one day record the fact that
the most earnest opponents of Austin at
the Mexican capital we're American specu-
lators, headed by the minister from the
United States, who insisted on terri
torial government for Texas, and for the
sale of her lands at the City of Mexico.
AUsTIN's IMPRISONMENT.
History has already declared the disas-
trous issue of that mission. He was ar
rested on his return at Saltillo in Deoem-
Der, 1888, taken back to Mexico and i'm
prisoned for fifteen months, portion of
that time in dark, damp dungeon of the
Inquisition. Thus he who had established
the colonies and given them q govern
ment and laws; who had twice saved them
from the horrors of unequal war, was the
first martyr to their aspirations for a sep
arate statehood
From the hardships of that solitary con-
fine1nent and the dsnk vapors of that cold
dungeon Austin never recovered. His
bold spirit chafed like an imprisoned
eagle against his dungeon bars, and when
at last he was released, he came forth with
wasted frame and tottering step. Re-
turning from his Imprisonment he landed
again at the mouth of the Brazos on Sep
TENDER l, 1885.
AUsTIN's RETURN.
The butchery at Zacatecas of American
and European citizens by the usurper,
Santa Anna, who had violated the Consti-
tuition of 1924 and established military
despotism, gave warning to Austin of the
fate impending over the colonies, and he
whose prudence had 30 often preserved
them from destruction now saw no safety
but in war.
Only eight days after his return from
prison the pioneers came from every por-
ton of the settlements and celebrated his
return with festivities end rejoicing. His
address to them was calm and statesman
like. He advised an immediate conven-
ton of the people.
MADE CHAIRMAN OF CONVENTION OF SAFETY.
With no government invested with
powers for defense, committee of public
safety was organized at once to provide
for the defense of the colonies. On the
wisdom of that committee must hinge the
destiny of Texas. Again the demand for
Austin was universal, he was made chair
man of the committee of public saftey.
Nobly did he do his work, for almost in
the hour Of his appointment he set forth
over the vales and prairies of Texas, like
the fiery cross, the ringing appeal that
assembled en- army at Gonzales. Never
on the soil of Texas was there in any
assembly of the people of like number,
more intellect and self assertion than was
found in that little army. Burlesons and
the Jacks were there, Thomas j. Rusk
was there, Bowie, Fannin and Travis were
there, Colingsworth, afterwards the first
chief justice of the republic, was there. In
that camp was as grand galaxy of
knights as ever mounted the breach with
prince or paladln.
AUSTIN ELECTED GENERAL.
They had come with rife in hand from
every portion of Texas, without organiza-
tion and needed a general. Among them
was the frail victim of the dungeon, and
by universal acclaim on the 7th of Octo-
Der, 1885, Austin was chosen as their
leader.
On September, 20, 1885, the immortal
Travis wrote to him, "all eyes are turned