will fully justify the act before the enlightened world, and win its approbation. With nations, as with individuals in a contest, 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 officialy know us. But declare ourselves independent with "full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do," we shall be recognized by all. In our present tern porary and partial organization, we perform many acts of sovereignty. Why then, not do them under an appropriate name? we are 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 incentives for talent and chivalry to look to, for promotion and advancement. An army of militia alone, cannot supply our wants. In free communities, there are no troops so honest, so zealous, so enthusiastic, as militia. And none that so soon 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 seat of war. - And have regulars to act with, and rally upon. Otherwise when the zeal and enthusiasm that give impulse to their association, begins to cool, they will become licentious and dissolve like a rope of sand, for want of original principles of adhesion and combination. As to our internal capabilities - we are placed between the Sabine and the Rio-Grand, on the very threshold of the Mexican Gulf, which gives a long and [word omitted) line of sea coast with a rich soil in all the productions of the South, and pierced by many fine rivers - This gives Texas within herself all the elements of prosperity, and a distinent political orbit to move in, assigned to her by the God of nature herself. Texas, contains within herself sufficient in born means of greatness, both natural and moral. And will have her own historical associations, and her particular character, physical and ethical, while the parts composing her population and territory, have component homogenity. As to the stuff our citizens are made of. - Texas assumes already to be "giving to patriotism a local habitation and a name." No one can deny the praise of devoted courage and exalted patriotism, to a few hundred farmers etc. who without leaders, without money; without magazines, and without any fixed plan of action; forced onward only by their deep sense of equal right and abhorance of tyranny; dared to make a stand against the aggressions
291
Powered by FlippingBook