The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-04-25
TEXAS'S OWN FOURTH
MARCH 2 A LEGAL HOLIDAY IN LONE
STAR STATE.
Separation Frsn Msxtso went FERN ally
Int Enec on That Day-strong Doc
ument Drawn Up ~ = Declaration "
Independence.

~~pA
Few Americans are aware that In
one of the greatest states Of the Union
the second day Of March is a legal
holiday. Some would be mystifed If
told, furthermore, that this is 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 second of March is in the
history Of Texas.
The opening of the year 1886 found
Texas in quite an anomalous condi-
ton. She was engaged in active fight
ing against Mexico, and yet seemed to
have no other idea than that of re-
naming q portion of Mexico. In No
vember Of the preceding year a gather
ing known as the general consultation
had been held at San Felipe. The name
consultation was applied TO this be-
cause the Mexicans were prejudiced
against Conventions" This one fact
shows how anxious the Texans were
to retain the favor of Mexico. Provi-
sion was made for another council. to
meet the LIST of March Of the next year.
On Feb. l an election was held. and
fifty-eight were chosen as delegates to
that gathering.
These assembled March l in the pic
turesQue old town of Washington, on
the Brazos. The next day they nan
imously adopted a declaration of in
dependence. 1t was written by George
c. Childress. and is considered a strong
document. The opening lines are as
follows:
when a Government has ceased to
protect the lives, liberty and property
of the people, from whom it's legiti-
mate powers are derived"
It then proceeds to state concisely
and vigorously sixteen separate points
in which the government Of Mexico
had failed in it's duty to Texas. 1t then
states that these and other griev-
ances were patiently borne until they
reached the point at which forbear-
ance ceased to be a virtue" 1t declares
that the Texans then took up arms in
defense Of the national Constitution
that is. the Constitution of Mexico
but that now "the necessity Of self
preservation DEGREES an eternal politi-
cal separation" 1t closes by commit
ting the issue to the decision of the
Supreme Arbiter Of the destinies of
nations"
The first name signed is that of
Richard Ellis, the president of the
gathering. Then follow the names of
ifty-one others who were present.
Sam Houston was one Of these. Last
come the names Of six others who
were elected delegates, but were not
present, and signed later. Nearly all of
tho 1fty-eight names are now perpetu-
ated as the names of counties on the
map Of Texas.
After all. however, one can not help
feeling that this declaration of indie
pendence was largely a matter of form.
Practically speaking the connection
with the mother country had already
been severed. There had been some
months OF actual fighting. The battles
of Conception, Goliad and Gonzales
had already been fought. San Antonio
had already been captured by the
Texans and recaptured by the Mexi-
cans. At the very time the convention
was In session Travis, Bowie. Crockett
and their brave followers were making
their last heroic stand at the Alamo.
On Sunday, March 6, the last letter
written by Travis was received. When
the president read the message one
member sprang to his feet and moved
that the members Of the convention
arm themselves and march immediate
~ to the Alamo to relieve Travis.
Sam Houston opposed this. He claimed
that the first duty Of the convention
was to establish q government and a
constitution. He offered to collect
troops himself and march to the relief.
This he did, but all too late. On the
night Of the very day when they were
discussing it-Sunday. March 6, 1886
the final attack was made. All the
world knows the result. The Alamo
fell. but its glorious fall made forever
impossible the failure Of Texan indie
pendence, 80 peacefully declared in the
quiet town of Washington only a few
days before.
The Ruhhla Cat Tn.