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


Zavalla, who had been vice.presi
dent of Mexico, but who loved lib
erts better than position; Moseley
Baker, man of splendid talent,
whose services in the revolutionary
struggle both on the field and in
council, were of great value
to Texas; and Ashbel Smith, the
scholar, soldier, statesman, diplo-
mat; and almost in sight of Burnett's
residence and in plain view of laval.
las home, lies the field of San Jacin-
to, upon which was achieved the in
dependence of Texas. What won.
derful neighborhood it was. Presi-
dent Burnett's soul sympathized
with every people who struggled to
be free, and before coming to Texas
he served as a soldier under Miranda
in South America. The people of
Texas did themselves great honor
by eIecting this grand Old man to
the United States senate shortly
after the late war, and although that
august body for political reasons de-
MED him the place, he kept what
was dearer to him-his place in the
hearts of the people of Texas.
Lamar was genius, scholar, a
poet, statesman; and his heroism
at San Jacinto will ever rebound to
his glory. 1t was my pleasure to
have seen all the presidents of
Texas. They were all giants, great
in intellect, strong in will power,
and, though they were tempest
tossed in the sea of partisan politics,
there are none now who do not con-
cede that they were all great and
good men. But l cannot dwell
upon all the great men of our early
history. will content myself with
naming few others, and the men.
ton of their names will recall to
your memories the services they
rendered to their country.
Travis. Fannin, Bowie, Crockett,
Ward, Milan, Johnson, Burleson,
Ben and Henry McCulloch, Tom
Green, VIM. H. and Patrick Jack,
Il. H. Williamson, John and Will.
liam II. Wharton, Henderson,
Hemphill, Lipscomb, Wheeler,
Jewett, and r. E. B. Baylor, and
others. What galaxy of statesmen,
jurists, soldiers and patriots is here
presented, and who Justly challenge
the admiration of the world. These
historic characters belonged to us,
they were ours, and the wish of my
heart is that their great lives and
their great deeds may never be for.
gotten, that our children may learn
of them in their school books and
that the fires of patriotism enkindl.
ed by them may be kept burning in
the hearts of those who shall come
after us. stop moment to dwell
upon the thought of having our
children taught the history of Tex
as. Our state is rapidly acquiring
population and how sadly ignorant
are the children and young people
of it's great history.
Why should not the children be
taught the history of Texas? 1t
would certainly be a fascinating
story to the youthful mind. They
are taught ancient and modern his
tory, to which | have no objection,
but why should we not have acme
juvenile book that will acquaint our
youth with the great heroes Of
Texas, and with the struggle they
made to obtain the blessed priv.
leges they enjoy? 1t would M k
them better men and women. Who
does not remember when a child
reading the story of Washington, of
Marion and of Lafayette, and
how his young heart swelled with
pride as he read of their achieve.
ments? Let them continue TO read
of those great men, but let the chill
dren of Texas also read of Travis,
tannin, Houston and of other Texas
heroes, and Of their glorious deeds;
and thus learning the cost of free
government, be inspired with the
patriotism necessary to maintain
and perpetuate it. 1t was to be ex.
pected of the sturdy patriots who
first settled Texas, that they should
not only remember the principles for
which their fathers fought the Revo.