Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-20


''Alamo!'' and "Goliadl''
Let it never be forgotten that those who first
went to the front in defense of our country were
always among the foremost to serve her during
the ten years of her life as o separate repuDilc,
and, those who were yet able, so continued even
through the Confederate war. Let 1t always DE
remembered, too, that, in all OF our campaigns
against MeXicans and Indians, every man served
at his own expense and virtually without c9m as
with rations by our poverty stricken republic.
The only exceptions were few supplies pro-
vided for the few regulars in the field. 1t is
true that we sometimes received government
scrips,' promising TO pay 70 us the rate OF
S. per month for actual service, but these scrlps
were rendered nearly worthl ess by the 1nsolyen-
cy of the republic, Such scripS vera all sold at
from two-bits down to pioayune 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
Bur we have been unjustly tainted concerning
our 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 held 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 needed at home.
Hence our loss Of time on campaigns, and our
campaign expenses, involved us IN debt, and TO
pay our debts thus contracted, we SOLD
our lands for what we could
get for them literally for the defense of the
Row let those who, in the legislature and
elsewhere, reproach us for having drawn much
from the states Gberality in large grants or
land remember how those lands went, and, II
they be conscientious, let them acknowledge
their error.
These services are what have impo verished us.
even to the extent that now, in our old age, but
few of US are able oT''make ends meet at
the close of each year. This accounts for the ao-
sence of many OF us to-day. While some are
too decrepit to travel, others not able to ap-
pear in respectable apparel.
Now, in justice to ourselves and our descend
ants, and IN our solcitade for your own honor
and prosperity, We ask OF you, good people or
Fort Worth, and through you of our whole
family of Texans, the performance OF sacred
trust. 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 a unit and thus ever 70
decisive vote in the Federal house Of repTesen
tatives. Politicians OF other states are jealous
! of your growing influence, and are clamoring
| for your dissolution into 8 number of petty
states, but we beseech you never to be guilty OF
| the suicidal policy of submitting to any more
carving ont of your territory.
Our worthy audience, 1t is our solemn duty TO
declare to DosteTlty 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 assail-
| ants We knew this, yet we never deSpaired.
| Though but few of us were then professors OF
| religion, yet, sensibly aware of the justice OF
| Our cause orr trust was in God Sinful as we
| were. we prayed TO Him for help ant success.
| We knew that mothers, sisters, sweet
! hearts, wives and daughters, far better than
! ourselves, were thus praying for US at nome,
| and we knew that He would respect their pray
| ers, if not ours. He did hear those prayers
ana grant our petitions. Mentally blind
| that the events . of that revolution
were directed by an All-wise and Ever Ruling
Power. God led our armies, fought with us in
battle, and crowned US with victory. The
| preme glory of our success belongs only to God.
| To Him do we humby aud Thankfully tender it.
/ ID nT ms
| the guests OF this noble people. But, even ac-
counting for the absence of the living absent,
three San JaCinto soldiers yet lived; but to-day
/ sure the survivors of that campaign num-
| Der less than thirty Rapid mortality yet
| believe that the percentage OF our deaths dur
| ing the last year has been greater than ever in
| one year before. Even we who are now here
viii never al meet again on earth; and not one
| OF as viii remain many years longer.
But here we are, a remnant, yet marking the
! changes which time is ever effecting. The Texas
revolution commenced fi,ty-five years sgo, and
! continued during eleven years Since its close
! We have practically ceased to exist as a genera
| ton, and a large majority of our immediate
/ successors have followed, our departed
! comrades, and been succeeded by athird genera
I tior: and these, in turn, are soon to be sue
ceeded by the little boys and girls who are grow
! alone, are indeed melancholy; but our dropping
/ spirits revived by the warmth with which we
are greeted on each of our annual reunions by
! cur worthy successors.
/ To-day. our weary pilgrimage Of lifeis cheered
! by you, nobke people OF Fort worth, ana II is
! proper that survey our present surroundings.
I . 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. E. Il. Tarrant, 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-
( bic of Fort Worth and Tarrant county,
m To1 usSS have Q 'ho donb
/ That many of you strive to emulate the
virtues Of Gems. Worth and Tarrant. Your
/ present demonstrations OF patriotism IN welcom-
ing us as venerated 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
| us. May He always abundantly bless the whole
! people OF Fort Worth for you doing all that
| can be done TO rejoice our hearts aad, If posi-
S Sts Sn'S more 10 'H'S0A'S Us WIN 'Hs 'Osz"
| Worthy ladies' gentlemen and children of Fort
! Worth, while any one OF us shall live, your pa
| this reunion shall never be forgotten. You
| are justly entitled to a return OF the best
! emotions Of eur hearts, and you have 1t. But,
| as 1 have already said, we cannot voice these
/ emotions. though we strive to do so. The near
! est approach to an expression of what we feel is
best presented by the use OF one monosyllable,
small in volume, but vast in meaning. This
! little word is thanks
Mr.. Zuber's address was heartily ap-
! 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 remorseless
/ sgythe of Death ;, he was without the corps
of vice presidents and marshal that was
! elected a year ago, and he suggested
that the positions be temporarily filled.
! Joel w. Robson and Stephen w. Blount
were the vice. presidents who have died
ducing the year, and Jerom
| B. Robertson the marshal. The
president was empowered to
fill the vacancies, and he appointed
Colonies IL. Il. Whitaker and J NJ.
Hill vice presidents, and Capt. F. II.
Ayres marshal. The three veterans
were loudly cheered when they went
upon the platform aud were presented
to the association.
Treasurer A. Deffenbaugh read his re-
port showing balance of S135 to the
credit of the association, and the same
was received. The death roll was also
read bv the same gentleman. The sad
list is as follows:
Hugh Anderson, S. w. Blount, Claud-
Jus Buster, Charles Breaches, D. D.
Rr1tnp rhamblisS 7. nilroS