East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-11-28

From the last issue Of the Argonaut
is taken the following historical re-
view of the relations Of the Lone Star
state to the principle and fact of Sc
cession:
In a recent periodical Culbertoh, of
Texas, has an interesting chapter from
the inside of Secessio. 1t details some
OF the events in Texas at the outbreak
of the civil war. 1t Is the first time
we have seen these happenings set
down in detail, and we think they are
probably little known outside of that
state.
1t must not be forgotten that Texas
occupied very different position in
the federal union from any other COM
mOnwealth. The old colonies had
banded together in fear of Great Brit
ain. Louisiana had been purchased.
California had been conquered Texas
had herself won independence from
Mexico with the sword. She had ex-
listed as an independent republic from
1895 to 1S45. She had come into the
Union of States full armed in all the
pnnoply of an Independent state which
had won her own independence. She
was not one of the original 13 colonies
which had been held together by a
compact against Great Britain. She
waC not one of the later states which
were carved out from the colonies as
was Maine from Massachusetts,, or as
the middle western states were cut
IA.
of Connecticut and other New Eng
land states. Nor was Texas one of the
western tier of trans-montane southern
states. which had once formed part
of the southern coast colonies. In
short, Texas was an independent re-
public which had become a part of
the United States at her own request
| and desire.
Texas Once Independent.
Traces of her independence are still
found in her organic law. In the other
states of the Union the public lands
| belong tC the federal government. In
Texas they belong to the state. In
other commonwealths two sections Of
every township are devoted to the pub
| lie schools Texas may devote all Of
the proceeds of the public lands in a
township to public schools or other
public buildings if she so elects. Fur
thermorc. Texas has reserved to her.
| self the control of her own boundaries
She can refuse to be cut up into small
Ter states by the federal government
unless she so desires Neither can she
| be annexed to another state without
the consent Of her own people. In
that respect she differs from the peo-
pie of Arizona and New Mexico II
those territories had won their free
dom from Mexico with the sword as
did Texas, and had they come into the
Union as Texas did. they would not
occupy today their present abject con-
dition. F'oI although this Union of
ours is ostensibly made up of self
governing communities. 1t seems as if
the fate OF Arizona and New Mexico
may depend entirely IN the will of the
president and congress. Let us hope
! ii is no. so.
When tie muttcrings of civil war
were heard in 1850, sam Houston was
governor. He was a Virginan; vet
| erun OF the Creek Indian war; had
been a representative in congress from
| Tennessee; general and commander
in chief Cf the Texas army which won
independence from Mexico; twice pres
ident of the republic of Texas; United
States senator; finally governor of the
state Of Texas. His inaugural mes.
sage to the legislature on January IA
IL. -