The sun., 1902-03-09
TEX4S'S Own FOURTH.
why March 2 Ia a Holiday in the Lone star
state.
From the St Louis Giobs-Dcmoorat.

From the ST Louis Globe Democrat.
Few Americans are aware that IN one Of
the greatest States Of the Union the I'd day
OF March Is a legal holiday, Some would
be mystihed IL told, furthermore. that this
the date of the Declaration OF Independence
Of one part OF the American nation, Such.
however. are the facts The State is Texas.
What the Fourth OF July is in the history
of the thirteen original colonies. the I'd OF
March is in the history of Texas.
The opening OF the year 1885 found Texas
IN quit" an anomalous condition. She was
engaged in active lighting against Mexico.
ana yet secIccd 20 have no other idea than
that OF remaining q portion OF Mexico. In
November OF the preceding year a gather
ing known a. the general consultation had
been held a. san Felipe. The name con-
sultation was applied 20 this because the
MeAioaus W'ro prcjudiced against -con-
veution-." Iu'S one fact shows how anS-
ious the Texans we're to retain the favor
OF Mexico. Ia" consultation even ap-
pointed temporary Governor and Council
but It yet recognized the authority OF Mexico
Provision was wudo for another council. 90
meet the list Of March Of the next year. On
Feb. / an election was held and hfty-eight
These assembled March l ia the pictur-
e-que old town OF Washington, on the Brazos.
The neN, day they unanimously adopted
ten bv George 4 Childres~, and T. considered
u strong document. The opening lines are
when n Government has ceased to pro-
tect the lives liberty and property of the
people. from whom its legitimate powers
|; then proceeds TO state concisely and
vigorously sixteen STparat" points IN which
ne G9yeTnmSst 81 MN,co ,s1 naa iS,,ed ,ht y ns
and other grievances were patiently borne
until they reached the point at which for
c!aros that the Texans then took up arms
in defcns" Of the national Constitution
that l., the Constitution Of MeNico-but that
now -the necessity Of seli-preServatton de-
crces an eternal political separation" II
closes by committing the issue 70 me de-
ci.ion of the supreme ArbiteT of the dos
'''I' Ihe drsi "aioe signed is that OF Richard
Elhe. IN" President OF III" gathering Then
follow the nance of fity-one others who
were pcr-ent sam houston was one OF
theso Last come the names OF six others
present. and signed later Nearly all OF
the nity-eight names are nov perpetuated
After all, however. one can not help feel
ing that this declaration n independence
spenEins the connection Wi,h the mother
country had already been severed There
md been some months OF aci usl hghtins.
tonic had already been ,cap,urcd by the
Texans and rcCRrturod 10y the Mericsns.
81 the very time m" convention was ~ session
Travis, Bowie, Crockett and their b. ave
i9'lo~rr, Irre making their last heroic stand
last letter written by Travis was received
When the President read the message one
member spr4ug 90 his feet aud moved that
the members Of III" convention arm them
~olvos and march Immediately TO the Alamo
10 rClIuN" Travis sam Houston opposed
this lie claimed thA' IA" tr-t duty OF the
convention vg- 10 establish "a Government
and o Constitution We offered TO collect
troops himself and marCn 10 the relief
his he did, but all too lat" On the night
OF the very day when they We're discussing
II sunday, March u. lS3GHthe hnal attack
was made Al tho world krpws the result
Tn" Alamo foll, but Us glor,uu- fall made
forever impo slbie the failure % Texpa
80 peacefully declared In the
quiet town Of Washington only :. fe~ days
before.