The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-03-09

founder of the first colony in the terri
tory and recognized in history as the
father of Texas.
After prayer by Rev. Fl. w. Dodge
DR.. Burleson was introduced as
friend and companion of Genera
Houston by Colonel Lubbock.
The speaker alluded to General
Houston as one of Gods pathtinders
in the wilderness who laid the fOunda
ior of the state, which was born IF
ty-seven years ago by the declaration
Of indeuendedce on the banks of the
Brazos. He was magnificent in
physique as grand in intelect-siS
feet, six inches tall and weighing 24C
pounds without any surplus flesh. He
had great advantages Of ancestry and
powers of mind and good teaching
and was great reader and student,
and it is said he could repeat the
whole of the Illian by heart, from
which he got his heroic inspiration.
He was in q sense graduate Of the
Indian university, at which he learned
the Indian language by going among
he Indians, and it is a remarkable
fact that no treaty made by him with
the Indians was ever violated. He
taught to get money to complete his
own education. He enlisted in the
ranks to fight the Indians during the
Jackson administration, saying that
if he was worthy he would work to
do the command. His mother sent him
to battle. Jackson said, "That boy is
born for a high iestiny," and gave
him commission.
When in battle Jackson erie 4:
"Who will lead the charger" Hous-
ton responded and was left badly
wounded on the battle field after rout
ing the Indians, where his mother
went to find him, and recognized him
by the fire of his eye.
Thus on, at considerable detail, the
speaker recited the incidents of Hous-
TOMS career, civil as we'll as military,
his election to congress for two terms,
his beating q member with his stick,
his election as governor of Tennessee,
his brilliant marriage to Miss Allen,
his resignation of the executive chair,
and leaving his beautiful wife with.
out explanation, which is mystery to
this day, and professedly disguised
with civilization, going among the In
dams. This was great surprise to
Jackson, who was believed to be
grooming him Ior the presidency
He was, strange to say, q believer in
augury, even to the divinity OF birds,
and when an eagle once scooped down
ana touched his head with its wings
and flew towards the sunset, he de-
cared that it was an augury that his
destiny was to go West.
AS to imputations tn his wife's
purity, he said her would not go back
to prove he innocence nor retract any
thing, but if airy one dared to impugn
her character he would write her vim
dication with the hearts blood of her
traducer.
The address was quite aggressive at
times, but interesting and instructive
even in the digre1sions, particularly
on the subjects of education and mar
rage.
The speaker alluded to Jackson
writing to Houston about the trouble
of getting the Indians to 90 west, and
urging Houston to exercise his won
derful power over the Indians; recited
how he had to be urged to accept COM
mand but could not refuse, and how
he conducted the cam align after the
fall of the Alamo and in the battle OF
San Jacinto. He was always a man
of prayer and said he ought to join
the church His social life was traced
down to his meeting Miss Lee, when
he went to New Orleans for surgical
treatment, and the romantic manner
in which the hero of San Jacinto sur
rendered to the belle of Alabama.
Incidentally he paid high compii'
ment to Stephen F. Austin as also a
great man in the history of Texa
Houston was credited with being
the author of the first money, So 000,
600, being given to the school fund.
H. also favored the encouragement OF
railroads, and really laid the founda
ton of the states school and railroad
systems. AS TO Houston's vote on the
repeal of the Missouri compromise,
Houston claimed thai it was the best
though most unpopular vote of his
life.
The deposition Of the great hero on
account Of his opposition to secession
was feelinglv alluded to without CEN
sure or approval, and expressions OF
qualification that the legislature now
honored him for his great services.
DIR Rurleson spoke two hours and
WA frequently applauded. He speaks
At II o'clock this morning at the uni
versity.