The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1894-04-23

| tu0lI buActlbSo ouN " S"SA~
ments in the cause of personal lib
erty and Of constitutional govern.
ment, proved that they were ono.
BILE SONS of ilustrlous sires. ="
Where in all history can you find a
record of such holocaust in behalf
of freedom as the Alamo? No.
where, except on that page which
records the dastardly murder of
Fannin's men. Where was greater
heroism displayed than at the storm
ing of San Antonio? And if ''free-
dom shrieked when Kosciusko fell"
her cries must have been great when
in her cause Old Ben Milan died !.
The battle of San Jacinto (the
Yorktown of Texas established the
independence of Texas, and brought
about its recognition among the
nations of the earth.
Did you ever think about the re.
suits of that battle? AS have
said, ii established the independence
of Texas and caused it's recognition
az an independent sovereignty
among the nations of the earth, and
thereby placed Texas in position
to annex itself to the United States,
and the annexation of Texas caused
the war with Mexico by which the
United States acquired an immense
territory, including California, the
mineral resources of which added
enormously to the wealth of the
world, and this acqulsi-
ton of territory produced
renewal of the agitation of the
slavery question which finally cul-
minated in the late civil war in this
country and the destruction of Afri-
can slavery. Having removed the
cause of sectional controversy, may
we not hope that it has united the
people of this country and more
firmly cemented the union of these
states2 1t is not my purpose to
dwell long upon the battles fought
for the independence of Texas, for
| stand in the presence of some who
were participants in those engage
ments and who are familiar with
their details; but who can stand in
the presence of these venerable men
and not be reminded of their hero.
ism on the field and of their many
deeds of valor which enfranchised a
people and established a state?
The early settlers of Texas not
only defended themselves against
Mexico, nation vastly superior in
numbers, wealth and all material
resources, but also against the
Indians, who were then to be found
in every portion Of our state, and
so great were these Indians in mum.
Der and so warl.ke in character that
it is but of late gears they have en-.
tirely ceased to give trouble. Many
of today seem to think that peace
followed the victory of San Jacinto,
but such was not the case. The
fighting Gid not cease. and at all
times war was either threatened or
in actual progress until after annexa-
ton to the United States, and until
the war between the United States
and Mexico had been fought to q
conclusion, and even then peace did
not come, for the extending from
tier was ever the scene of hostilities
between our people and the savages
The history of Texas is more IN.
teresting than romance and the
facts of her history are stranger than
fiction. To have made such history,
what men they must lave been!
| have thought that no country ever
possessed such statesmen, such sol
diers, such heroes. Look at some
Of them:
Stephen F. Austin, the father of
Texas, with what wonderful fore.
sight and energy, and yet with
what suffering and patience did he
lay the foundation of our great
state. Henry Smith, the provis.
lonal governor. or first executive of
Texas, who in the midst of passion
and uncertainty did so much for
Texas. Houston, the soldier and
statesman, statesman and soldier,
whose heroism in battle and wisdom
in council marked HIM as one of the
greatest among the great of the
earth. Rusk, tine profound lawyer,
fearless soldier and far-seeing states.