Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25
TWO TEXAS STATUES
Presented to the United States
Today.
AUSTIN AND HOUSTON
WERE PIONEERS OF T He LONE
STAR STATE.
Principal Address Made by Represen-
tative Cooper, Who Paid Eloquent
Tribute to Their Memory.
AUSTIN AND HOUSTON

sentation to Congress by the state or Iexas
of marble statues of the lone star pioneers
Samuel Houston and Stephen F. Austln'
began In the House of Representatives AT
o'clock this afternoon The statues, whlch
have been in position in Statuary Hall 1or
some weeks, today had their pedestals
draped with bunting and hung with
wreaths. Big American flags served as a
background for the white figures.
Representative Cooper of Texas made the
principal address in the House The other
speakers were Representatives Burgess,
Stephens, Field, Pinckney, Gillespie and
Slayden of the Texas delegation, Clark of
Missouri. Gibson Of Tennessee and Wallace
of Arkansas.
Representative Cooper. in his eloquent ad-
DRESS spoke of the stirring times in the
early history and of the work of Austin and
Houston.
After referring to the fact that all people
had made the effort to perpetuate in some
tangible form the memory of their noble
dead and that this government had invited
each state to erect two statues in honor of
those two of her citizens whom 1t might
deem worthy of that distinguished honor,
and briefly stating that the two selected by
Texas were the founder and preserver OF
that state. Mr.. Cooper said in part:
1.-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 be-
gan many years before the arrival of his
great colleague, and death removed him
from the scene of their common labors
more than a quarter of century before
the career Of Houston was ended. Yet, in
the forty-three years of his life he earned
as sound a title as that of any man OF
his generation to the grateful remembrance
of the people of Texas.
"a DODuar hiStrfan. In contemplating
the work of this famous pioneer, said:
IF he who by conquest wins empire
receives the worlds applause, how much
more S due to those who, by unceaslng
TOLL lay in the wilderness the foundations
for an infant colony and build vigorous
and happy state! Surely there is not
among men more honorable destiny than
to be the peaceful founder and builder Of
a new commonwealth. Such was the des-
tiny of Stephen F. Austin
No truer estimate than this can be made
of the work of Austin. While he was yet
a young man the dying request of his
father, Moses Austin, led him to come to
Texas to complete a scheme of colonial
ton into which his father had entered.
Soon after his arrival in Texas, in the
summer Of 1921 changes in the organic
form of the Mexican government made 1t
necessary for him to go in person, by tee
most primitive modes of travel, to the city
of Mexico, more than one thousand miles
distant, to secure a confirmation of the
contract made with his father. Successive
Mexican revolutions brought on several
ferns Of government, each of which inval-
idated the acts OF It's predecessor and
Austin was thus compelled to remain at the
Mexican capital more than two years. Sucn,
however, was his diplomatic ability that
he succeeded In securing from each domi-
nant faction in due succession, full rati-
fication of the contract originally made
with his father by the Mexican govern
ment. Returning to Texas he found his
colony rapidly disintegrating through the
inf, 1T 10 al 4h1x a
entered Texas during his absence. His
contract with Mexico had conferred upon
him judicial and military powers which
rendered him almost Independent Of the To-
cal government.
This fortunate circumstance not only
gave free scope for the exercise of his
great administrative abilities, but 1t
colony. Violence and lawlessness disap-
peared under his rigid but just rule. In
dustry was encouraged, providence and
thrift were inculcated, trade was fostered.
public spirit awakened. civic pride de-
veloped by his precept and example He
neglected marriage. He built no home for
himself, but lived among his colonists as
common guest of the community heartily
welcome at every flresde He lived among
them as father and friend, trusted coun-
sellor In every trouble, faithful nurse In
sickness. provider In time of need, a
guard In the hour of danger an umpire
whose ever-just and eyer-satisfactorv
award settled disputes, a judge whose de-
clsions ever found unquestioned acceptance
among the litfgants. a patriot whose pa
ternal influence bound together his widely
scattered people in the bonds of a common
brotherhood.
AT the outbreak of the Texas revolution.
austin returned to Texas, and was at
once sent to the United States as a COM
missioner to secure a recognition of Texas
independence, and his able presentation of
his countrys cause, paved the way first
for the recognition of Texas independence,
and, later, for annexation to the limited
States.
The organization of a permanent govern
ment for the new Republic of Texas and
the conclusion of treaty of peace with
Mexico, divested Austins mission of its
Importance, and he returned to Texas to
find, to his great joy, that the country had
at last secured form of government which
guaranteed to its people every right for
winch Its sons had so valiantly contended
In arms A few months afterward he was
stricken down and quickly passed away.
amid the lamentations of all the people of
the state he had founded
His life was indeed that "simpIe life,
OF which we have heard so much in praise.
and yet 1t was one of ceaseless toll, varied
duties, great responsibilities, arduous pri-
vatfon dangerous adventure and freonent
disappointment. 1t called for great indus
try, unlimited patience, high diplomatic
talent, unwearied persistence broad sym
pathy for his fellow men. and a sublime
eracement OF self and self-interest that he
might more thoroughly consecrate himself
to his noble mission How we'll he sue
ceeded the world knows
He left no wife and children to pernetu
ate his name and race; but a nation wept
at the news of the death of their gentle.
patient, sympathetic, self-denying friend
and counselor. and today, after the lapse
OF three-score years and ten, no name is
more fragrant with pleasant memories in
Texas hearts or evokes more ardent sense
of gratitude. and regret than that of Ste
phen F. Austin.
Sam Houston.
1.-THE life of Sam Houston was one full of
romance and yet characterized by serious
ness of purpose and clouded by tragic in
cidents Born in Virginia in 1893, he re-
moved to Tennessee in early life and there
lived near the Cherokee Indians. The primi-
tive life of these simple people made deep
impression on his youthful mind and there
Is little doubt that this influence abided
with him through life" Mr.. Cooper then
referred to the distinguished men who were
alive during Houston's career and the
prominent questions that came up for dis
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