The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-16


cnshrined the love of country and ven
GRAFTON for Its heroes. To her is left the
sacred duty Of tending the fires of pstrl-
otlsm and preserving family tradition.
Prompted by patriotism and gratitude to
our ancestors of the Texas revolution, on
November 8. 1891, in the city OF Houston,
at the residence of Mrs. Andrew Briscoe,
sixteen ladies' assembled. having come
from different districts of the State for
the purpose OF perfecting the organization
now called the Daughters of the Republic
OF Texas, an association composed exclu-
siyely of the wives, widows and daughters
of those early pioneers who fought against
Mexico at the Alamo. at Goliad and ut San
Jacinto. and those devoting their lives aud
properly to the struggle for liberty.
Tho sole aim and object of this associa-
tion Is to keep alive the memory of those
early Texas heroes and patriots and their
deeds of valor In behalf OF humanity and
freedom 10 preserve the wonderful his
tory of that memorable struggle aud to
arouse In the hearts of the living and of
coming generations the sentiment OF II no
Bile and Inspiring patriotism; 10 secure and
hallow historic spots and TO cherish and
preserve the unity of Texas as achieved
by the fathers aud mothers OF the Texas
revolution.
The first chapter formed was the Sidney
Sherman chapter of Galveston, and most
nobly here its members succeeded In their
Initial undertaking. Through their ef-
iorts beautiful granite mapument now
marks the graves in Galveston of David
G.. Burnet, first president OF the Repub
lie of Texas. and General Sidney Sherman.
commander In the battle OF san Jacinto.
The next chapter formed was the San
Jacinto chapter of Houston. named for
that famous battle which was fought with
in few miles OF Houston on the beautiful
banks of Buffalo bayou and at the mouth
of the San Jacinto river. on April o. 1886.
1t seems an almost iucomprehensible
thought that band of freemen. winning
territory so vast that no one could then
tell accurately its exact metes and bounds
having overthrow the power of Mexico,
not TO have for its first act the setting
aside of the place of their countrys birth.
Under the Declaration of Independence,
declared at Washington, Texas, March .,
1896, they won 1t from Il foreign foe.
1t was theirs. TO do with they chose.
They could have divided the whole State
into lots and each one had a kingdom and
who could have said unto them Nay"
But no; what by their valor was achieved
they condensed Into a nation. and which
was for ten years recognized as an indie
pendent republic in the courts Of the
world.
There is but one San Jacinto battlefield.
For the State to claim it. there can be no
dangerous precedent. IT. has no second.
Texas is the only State in the American
Union that has natal day. 1t is the voice
of the soldiers OF San Jacinto. after sleep
of sixty-one years, coming in the new law
as enacted by the Twenty fifth legisla
ture, claiming what they purchased by
sacrificing their lives The world We know
is 5000 years old, and history records it as
one of the sixteen decisive battles.
a people who would fail TO appreciate
the wonderful historical significance OF
such an event. or keep the memory OF it
green, would be wanting IN those noble
impulses that make people great and
free.
The Texan whose heart does not throb
with pride AT the mention OF that magic
name--for where is its equal in all the an
nails OF war? Seven hundred and WY
Texans vanquishing an enemy of eight
thousand MeXicans! The results of that
battle are past computation! 1t not only
made Texas free. but has brought i'm
measurable wealth into tho American
Union, and opened the highways OF COM
merce to the Pacific ocean
The patriots who gave their lives for
liberty lie buried on this sacred soii' Save
a small marble shaft erected by personal
subscription some years ago. their graves
betoken cruel neglect The san Jaclnlo
chapter having been given charge OF the
ten acres owned by the state, though few
in number have done what they could In
caring for the graves by having the weeds
and briars that almost covered the monu-
ment and the mound. oblitcra,ing the IN
srriptions, broken fences around private
graves long since forgotten, cleared away,
aud prohibiting the further use OF 1t as a
public burial ground.
To secure to the State this field has al
cha zhAi nh nf
hopes then TO fence aud beauty, that 1t
may be "A Mecca 10 which every loyal son
and daughter OF Texas for all time 10
come can lay their offerings OF holy and
patriotic love.
We appealed to the Twenty third legs
lature for an appropriation ana was sup
ported by the press from every corner Oh
the State We were informed ut the time
the legislature passed finally In the gem
eral appropriation bill $1,000. Governor
Hogg cut the amount down to sioo TO pur-
chase tho bayou front TO the ten acres the
State owns No one was appointed 70 re-
celve 1t or receipt for same, and the FUNDS
were unavailable. The bayou front ana
part OF the ridge in which was located the
Mexican breastworks is owned by a new
York syndicate. The land between Is
owned by parties who have had possession
OF IL for many years When we uhueI tu p
this work OF urging the state TO seerre TINS
ground the committee appointed ilrst
wrote 10 the owners and secured opt'ons
on their land. Twenty five thousand COZ
lars was not sufficient to purchase lne
$50 acres which we believed "ould tahe ~
the camp of General Houston on me eahhS
of the bayou and where Much Vi '"V ''e''
ing took place In the rear -, "a
we were anxious to get the lahu' anu
wanted 10 be fair and just TO an par
but We were not willing ana "oulu NJ, ae@
the State TO pay tho eNloIslona.e eS