The Washington times., 1905-02-25
Houston and Austin
In Nations VQIhaIIQ

The acceptance OF the statues of Sam
Houston and Stephen D. Austin, by the
Congress OF the United; States, took
place at 3 o'clock this afternoon. The
principal speaker was Representative
Stephens of Texas, who paid eloquent
tribute to the memories of the men who
had made Texas great.
The other speakers were Representa-
tives Richardson of Alabama, Burgess,
Clark OF wisconsin, Stephens, Fields.
Gibson of Tennessee, Pinckney. Wal
lace Of Arkansas, Gillespie and Slaydon.
The statues, the work of Elizabeth
Ney, stand in the rotunda Of the Capt
tel. They are striking exponents OF the
force and unity of the Texan frontiers
men, who wrested the State from the
wilderness,
Mr.. Cooper's Address.
Mr.. Cooper said in part:
Rich in men of the highest type, be-
wildered by an imposing array of sons
worthy of every honor our State has
found it no easy task to make the Sc
lection imposed by the act of Congress,
but the task has been simplified by the
reflection that the fame of those nos
thus selected is in no degree dependent
upon memorials like these, but is secure
in the records Of history and in the
zenS.
stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston.
The founder and the preserveri Each
the complement of the other Without
Austin 10 build states no Houston would
be needed to ifberate them from oppres-
sion or to defend them from aggression: :
ana without the sheiterlng and conSerV-
ing genius Of Houston, vain would be
the work of those who lay the founda-
tions Of states amid the solitude and
savagery Of the desert. Happy and wise
hon he oh hat ink hoe
two great. characters together In COM
mon memorial, as the two great orig
inals were associated in working out, in
different ways, common destiny for
one Of the greatest of the American
commonweaiths,
Gained Grateful Remembrance.
"The two distinguished men whose
statues have been presented here were
born in the same State (Virginia) in the
same year. 1893. Though thus of the
same age. yet Austin's connection with
Texas history began many years before
the arrival of his great colleague, and
death removed him from the scene of
their common labors more than a GUAR
ter of a century before the career of
Houston was ended Yet. III the forty
sound title as that of any man OF his
generation TO the grateful remembrance
Of the people of Texas.
A Life Full of Romance.
1.-The life of Sam Houston was one
full Of romance, and yet characterized
by seriousness of purpose and clouded
by tragic incident. Born in Virginia III
1873, he removed to Tennessee in early
life, and there lived near the Cherokee
Indians. The primitive life of these
simple people made a deep impression
on his youthful mind, and there is lit
tie doubt that this influence abideG
with him through life.
AS a fearless and faithful soldier for
hVe years on the Indian frontier, he
gained the knowledge of the art of war
which no doubt proved Of great value
70 him. when, years afterward. upon
ne plains Of Texas, with an army far
inferior in numbers, discipline and equip
ment, he confronted and afterWard
crushed the Mexican army under Santa
Aana.. the vaunted Napoleon OF the
West
Austin and Houston, The founder
ard 1iberator! Feilow-citizens OF the
United States. admit these statues to
their rightful place In this Hall of Fame