Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-16

distinguished executive, IS IN response TO
a custom which requires the lieutenant
governor to say something on this oeca-
/ sion.
Through the kindness and generosity of
! the people of Texas again occupy the
position of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. For
this indication of their continued conf
dence, and the honor conferred on me, |
wish TO express my gratitude and assure
them that / win endeavor at all times TO
do my whole duty to the people of this
great commonwealth.
Having been raised in this state / am
proud OF Texas, her history and tradi-
tions, her present greatness and future
possibilities. / do not believe any true
Texan can contemplate the history of our
state or the character of the men who
made that history, without being imbued
with pride which viii tend to
make him a patriot and lover of Texas.
Men of other countries have been inn
moFtafiZed in poetry and song, but none
of any country or age deserves more the
commentator of our race than the pa
triots, statesmen and heroes VINO be-
queathed TO us this vast empire. By their
sacrifices and heroism they secured and
gave to us territory SO extensive that it
includes almost every variety of climate
produces every product necessary for the
support and comfort of man.
Our state is in such proximity to Mex
leo and the South American states that
we can with ordinary industry and enter
prise supply those markets with all the
needed manufactured goods at cheaper
rates than any other state or country. Our
geographical position is so advantageous,
lying as we do across the natural path
way of the great Northwest to the ocean
if the general government will legislate
judiciously in regard to the Indian Terri
tory and give us deep water on our coast,
many new trunk railway lines will invade
our territory from the North and North
west and bring the products of all that
wealthy and extensive region to Texas
ports. With the advantages here indi-
Gated and MANY more which our state
possesses, 1T only requires continuance
of a liberal, wise, conservative govern
ment to make Texas the greatest of all
the grand states of this wonderful Union.
But we should not forget that with the
bequest of this great territory and its I'M
equaled resources came many. ponderous
responsibilities which have been noblY
met by those who have controlled its des-
tinies These responsibilities in aug
upon us as the servants and
REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE PEOPLE.
Many important and difficult questions
which demand the deepest thought and
wisest action must receive attention.
But when l look over the men assembled
here to-day coming as you do fresh from
the people, [ feel that we will
have just, patriotic and states
manlike legislation. As true Texans, in
your conduct as legislators, [ know you
viii be inspired by the patriotic impulses
of those noble rulers who have. gone be-
fore, and will be imbued by that high
sense of duty which will sacrifice all in
dividual interest to the good of the pub
lie service and the welfare of the state.
1t is not my province as lieutenant
governor to make any suggestions re-
garding legislation, but l will take the
liberty of expressing in a general manner
n few thoughts on questions agitatmg the
public mind.
AS the perpetuIty of our free institu-
tons depends upon the intelligence of the
people, our public schools as rapidly as
the financial condition of the state will
permit, should be put in such condition
that every child in Texas can receive
good, common school education at the
least possible cost to the people.
L would also like to see our normal
schools made so efficient that Texas teach
ers could be thoroughly prepared to teach
Texas children
Let the state university and all of its
branches, as rapidly as practicable, be
put in such perfect condition that they
cannot be eXcelled, so that Texas sons
and daughters VIII remain IN Texas and
receive classical education in our institu
tions. Being thus educated, our people,
while not possessing that Objectionable
provincial prejudice which we find in
some instances, would have that COM
mendable state pride which is necessary
to make a great and distinguished people.
There is one other question to which [
will refer. Some persons outside of the
state and who can have no special inter-
ests in our welfare, seem TO be exercised
about a division of Texas. / am in favor
of crushing that sentiment in its incipien-
cy. If any of our citizens feel inclined to
favor division, l wish to impress on them
the undisputed fact that the political,
financial and moral influence of our large
state is far superior to that of
MANY SMALL ONES.
I trust they will also remember that this
entire territory was consecrated by the
blood and suffering of heroes and patriots
who bequeathed it to us as a vast undi-
vided empire.
Will those who favor division tell us if
the beautiful form of Texas were torn
asuuder what fortunate heir would inherit
this grand, magnificent edifice? To what
favored section would belong the great
Houston and his immortal associates?
How would we dispose of Goliad, San
Jacinto and the Alamo, with all those
precious memories which cluster around
them? When these thoughts of division
are pressed upon us, they but increase
our love for the entire state and make us
unwilling to believe that any true Texan
will ever consent to a Remembering of
our magnificent domain, or to division
of those sacred jewels which bedeck its
beautiful bosom.
The state should remain undivided, so
that she in her great sovereign capacity
and magnificent power can for all time |
to come maintain in her borders free, |
constitutional government and in the |
future as in the past and present, give |
perfect protection to every citizen with !
out regard to his previous condition, |
color, place of birth or his political or |