Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-24
Jacinto of the vengeance due upon them for the

''Alsno!'' and ''GoIadi'
Let it never be forgotten that those who first
went to the frontin defense of our country were
ALWAYS among the foremost TO serve her during
the ten years OF her life as q separate republic,
and, those who were yet able, so continued even
through the Confederate war. Let it always be
rememb ered, too, that, in all of our campaigns
against Mexicans and Indians, every man served
at his own expense, and virtually without COM
pensation, in very few instances being supplied
with ratiOns by our poverty stricken republic.
The only exceptions were q few supplies pro-
vided for the few regulars in the field. 1t is
true that sometimes received government
scrips,' promising TO pay TO us the rate of
IS per month for actual service, but these scrips
were rendered nearly worthless by the insolven-
CIV of the republic. Such scrips were all sold at
from two-bits down to picayune on the dollar,
and If any OF them were ever redeemed by the
government at their face value, that value was
paid TO other parties
But we have been unjustly tainted concerning
onr headlights and military land grants. Those
lands, above what We cultivated, were almost
worthless from want OF purchasers, as the land
in demand was never twentieth of that for sale.
Our calls to the field generally prevented us
from earning money for the purchase of our out
fits and frequently from raising bread for our
families. Very few OF us had vet learned what
could be realized on stocks of cattle, or raised
much more livestock than we needed at home.
Hence our loss of time on campaigns, and our
campaign expenses. involved us in debt and to
pay debts thus contracted, sold
our lands for what we could
get for them literally for the defense of the
republic.
Now let those who, in the legislature and
elsewhere, reproach us for having drawn much
from the states hberality in large grants OF
land remember how those lands went, and, If
they be conscientious, let them acknowledge
their error.
These services are what have impoverished us.
even to the extent that now, in our old age, but
few of US are able tos' make ends meet at
the close of each year. This accounts for the abb
sence OF many of us to-day. While some are
too decrepit to travel, others are not able to ap
pear in respectable apparel
Now. in Justice to ourselves and our deS cend-
ants, and IN our solicitude for your own honor
and prosperity, we ask of you, good people of
Fort Worth, and through you of our whole
family of Texans, the performance of a sacred
trust. as we have asked at all of our former
meetings. We do solemnly beg you never to
forever to hold all of her remaining parts to-
gether as unit, and thus ever to
retain what is soon to be. yours,
3 decisive vote in the Federal house of represen-
tatives. Politicians of other states are jealous
of your growing influence, and are clamoring
for your dissolution into a number of petty
states, but we beseech You never to be guilty of
the suicidal policy of submitting to any more
carving out of your territory.
Our worthy audience, it is our solemn duty to
declare to DOsterity that, as humble instruments
in the hands of God, we claim comparatively
but little of the honor due to our success in the
Texas revolution. In numbers we are too few
to contend, In our own strength alone, with any
hope of success, against our numerous asSall-
ants We knew this vet we never despaired.
Though but few of US were then professors of
religion, yet, sensibly aware of the justice of
our cause, our trust WAS in God. Sinful as we
were. we prayed TO Him Tor help anS success.
We knew that our mothers, sisters, sweet
hearts, wives and daughters, far better than
ourselves, were thus praying for us at home,
and we knew that He would respect their pray
ers. if not ours. He did hear those prayers
ana grant our petitions. Mentally blind
must must be the man wi, who denies mes
were directed by All-wise and Ever Ruling
Power. God led our armies, fought with IN
battle, and crowned with victory. The SUI
preme glory Of our success belongs only to God.
To Him do we humbly and thankfully tender it.
Thanks TO the good Lord, here are some of us
the guests OF this noble people. But, even &C
counting for the absence of the living absent,
also, how few! Four years ago to-day sixty
three San Jacinto soldiers yet lived; but to-day
1 am sure the survivors of that campaign num-
Der less than thirty Rapid mortality! yet 1
believe that the percentage OF our deaths dur
ore year before. Even we who are now here
Will never all meet again on earth; and not one
of us will remain many years longer.
But here we are, remnant, yet marking the
changes which time is ever effecting. The Texas
revolution commenced fifty-fve years ago, and
continued during eleven years. Since its close
we have practically ceased to exist as genera
ton, and a large majority of our immediate
successors have followed our departed
comrades, and been succeeded by third genera
ton; and these, in turn, are soon to be sue
ceeded by the little boys and girls who are grow
ing up around them: These facts, considered
alone, are indeed melancholy; but our dropping
spirits are revived by the warmth with which We
are greeted on each of our annual reunions by
our worthy successors.
To-day, our weary pilgrimage of life is cheered
by you noble people of Fort Worth, and it is
proper that we survey our present surroundings.
Fort Worth is the capital of Tarrant county.
We are glad that this county bears the name OF
that military hero, civil, sage, honest man and
courteous gentleman, Gen. Z. h Iarrant, for he
has left no descendants to perpetuate his worthy
name. Fort Worth herself is named for one of
the most gallant generals that fought in the
Mexican war. or defended our frontiers. Peo-
Die of Fort Worth and Tarrant county,
you must be Justly proud of the names
which you bear, and we have no doubt
virtues of Gems. Worth and Tarrant. Your
present demonstrations of patriotism in welcom-
ing US as yenerated fathers Of the great state of
Texas evidently point in that direction. Here
we enjoy the rest which you have prepared for
us-feast at your bountiful boards.
May the good Lord ever bless and prosper
your dear children, for they will soon succeed
you in life, even as you have already succeeded
US. May He always abundantly bless the whole
can be done to rejoice our hearts and, if posi-
BILE. once more to invigorate MS with the Joys Of
youth.
Worth, while any one OF us shall live, your pa
lriotic and generous kindness to US during
this reunion shall never be forgotten. You
are Justly entitled to a return OF the best
emotions of our hearts, and you have it. But,
as have already said, we cannot voice these
emotions, though we strive to do The near
est approach to an expression of what we feel is
best presented by the use of one monosylIable,
small in volume, but vast in meaning. This
little word is thanks
Mr.. ZubeT's address was heartily APP
plauded. The old veterans who listened
to it thoroughly appreciated its bearings
and were lusty in marks of appreciation.
President Lane then called attention to
the fact that, owing to the Temorseless
scythe of Death, he was without the corps
of ce-presidents and marshal that was
elected year ago, and he suggested
that the positions be temporarily filed.
Joel w. Robson and Stephen W. Blount
were the vice. presidents who have died
during the year, and .Jerom
B. Robertson the marshall The
president was empowered to
fill the vacancies, and he appointed
Colonies NJ. H. Whitaker and j.. NJ.
Hill vice. presidents, and Capt. F. H.
Ayres marshal. The three veterans
were loudly cheered when they went
upon the platform and were presented
TO the association.
Treasurer A. Deffenbaugh read his re-
port showing a balance of Sl35 to the
credit of the association, and the same
was received. The death roll was also
read by the same gentleman. The sad
list is as follows:
Hugh Anderson, s. W. Blount, Claud-