270
TF~-XAS ST.\TE LIBR.U!.Y
sent one of their mo t re peetable and influential citizen on to the city of 1\rexico, to o1icit in per on in behalf of the rights of the people of Texas. This distinguished citizen, Santa .Ana, without ceremony thrust into prison, and continued his dark and gloomy durance, for perhaps, more than eighteen months. And then only released him, to administer to his own wants.1--enough-Fellow citizens, what are we contending for.-1£ this same _Santa Ana, should to-morro,v offer re- conciliation and a guaranty for our :rights, what would his offers be worth? can true reconciliation ever grow, where roots of hatred have truck so deep 1 His guaranty, what would it avail before the God of his devouring ambition 1 The anglo Americans and the )fexicans, if not primitively a different people, habit, education, and religion, have made them essentially so. The two people cannot mingle together. The strong prejudices that existed at the first emigrations, so far from having became softened, and neutralised, by contract, having increased many fold. Anc as long as the people of 'fexas belong to the Mexican nation, !heir in- . terests will be jeopardised, and their prosperity cramped. And they will always be more or less effected by the excitements of that revolt;i- tionary people. Of all the times for Texas to declare herself independent, the present is perhaps, the most exquisitely appropriate. The causes will fully justify the act before the enlighteneq. world, and win its appro- bation. With nations, as with individuals in a conte t, it is of no small importance to have the ·good will of others. As long as we form a part of the Mexican nation, no other nation can officially lmow us. But de- clare· ourselves independent with "full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do -all other acts and things which independent States inay of right do,'' we shall be recognised by all. . In our pr~sent temporary and partial organization, we perform mauy acts of ;:;overeignty. \Vhy then, not do them under an appro- priate name 1 we are raising a regular force; but we never shall have an efficient one, until we have an established government performing all its functions. In addition to pay and competent supply etc. there must be incentive for talent" aud chivalry to look to, for promotion and advancement. ~i\n army of militia alone, cannot supply our wants. In free communitie., there are no troops so honest, so zealous, so enthusiastic, as militia. And none that o oon became dissatisfied with the life of a camp and inactivity. To be efficient, they must be led against the enemy soon after their arrival at the scat of war.- And have regular to act with, and rally upon. Otherwise when the zeal and enthu ia m that give impul e to thcil' a:sociation, begins to cool, they will become licentious and di ol\'e like a rope of sand, for want of original principles of adhc ion an<l combination. As to our internal capabilitie -we are placed between the Sabii.c and the Rio-Grand, on the very threshold of the Mexican Gulf, which gives a long and [.......... p line of ea coast with n rich oil in all the productions of the South, and pierced by many tine rivers-This gives Texas within herself all the clement of prosperity, and a dis- 'One word evidently omitted rrom original.
Powered by FlippingBook