The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

recital would BIO received with wonder,
perhaps with incredulity. But few OF
these hardy pioneers remain; their labor
and toll and suffering and sacrifice are
part of cur history they have given us an
empire grand in extent, unlimited In re-
sources We have seen the small settle
ments of 80 900 expand into a population
Of more than 100000 onward and up
ward has been the motto Commencing
at the foot of the list, every step has been
a step forward, and each succeeding CEN
sus has placed us higher on the list until
the next will certainly show that we are
NTH in a Union of forty-hve states
These are grand results accomplished
In the lifetime Of men, some of whom sill
survive. This grand edihce has been
created by the patriotism and cemented
by the blood OF those men, some of whom
are our honored guests today We owe
them a debt OF gratitude which can never
be repaid We can. however, and should
smooth and comfort their declining years
and teach our children TO Initiate their
virtues.
We can point with pride TO our political
history. As Republic and State. we have
had four presidents and nineteen elected
governors. we have had heated contro-
versy and sharply defined differences OF
opinion, yet even in the nlids, OF these
no well informed person has ever charged
any Of our public officials with corruption.
we have had no detaulting treasurers and
no State officer with a single exception
has ever been impeached or removed from
office This Is record which should make
every Texan proud of his state.
Let us be proud that we are freemen
proud of our American citizenship, and
a. Va q Texans.
not forecast the high destiny which awaits
J us as a people. If we will but regard The
basic principles which define our freedom
and make us good citizens. All mankind
are one common brotherhood, let us az
,, unto others as We would that they shoul'
do unto us. One hundred years ago W.
: said TO the French Millions for defense
j hui not one cent for tribute" Now tina
we are great, let Us paraphrase and say
millions for liberty. millions for human
! ity bus not one cent for conquest or op
: preston"
THE declaration of independence is sur
" as true now as it was when Ihoma
= Jefferson wrote, and that instrument an
nounced the doctrine that all men ar
4 created equal, mot with equal inteit rs AZ
u or ability, but with equal rights 70 oe
II part from this doctrine on the theor
9 that other people are incapable OF Sc
% government and that we ought, therefore
10 m nrotect them from themselves, woul
W be TO Justify every attack by the stron
y on the weak since the world began, be
81 cause they have usually had the san
- pretense
n History is said to be philosophy teschin
* nv example. and a careful reading of hi
tory will show that every stage OF M
tional existence has had its problems II
IN solution. Perhaps the one now presentt
~ involves greater results than any oth'
we have met Our history as Republ
ID and State Is replete with interest ana u
Ve formation. It's lessons may De READ WI
Id profit and instruction by all. While m
as teriaI is vet in existence, and while son
as Of those who made It are still living,
should gather this material from every q
u rection so that history when written nj
nd no a faithful picture OF events as they o
he Cured. One OF the most efficient instr
d. mentalities in this work is the Daugnte
hl, OF the Republic
,s- Organized for the purpose Of preservi
re our b;story and fostering spirit Of p
trIotism among our people, you VIII
,r- am sure, Join me in bidding them Go
ON speed in their noble work.
,ad ADOPTING the thought OF Daniel We
he ster, permit me to say in conclusion;
Fathers. YOU are the remnant OF ma
old we'll fought field; you bring with
lie, marks OF honor from Bexar' from San
ro- cinto. from the salado and Medina; fir
SEQ SEQ Santa Fe and from Mler. Veterans Of
Cd. decades, when in your youthful days
est nut everything at hazard in your eountI
hat cause your cause was noble your 70
csc was sangulne, yet your fondest hopes
md moi anticipate this hour. Al period
not which you could not reasonably have
ar pected TO arrive. at moment Of Matte
up- progress such as you could not Tore
ose you are now met here TO enjoy the ieii
ere ship OF your comrades and to receive
hat overlooking OF universal gratitude
any | perceive that a tumult Of contend
as feelings rushes upon you The images
un- the dead as well as the persons OF
and living present themselves before you
bies the Father Of all mercies smile upon J
declining years and bless them: and "
ton you shall here have exchanged your
ex- braces, when you shall once more
and pressed the hand which has been SO Q
the extended to give succor in adversely