WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1847
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rally with them. They never assumed the attitude of an inde- pendent nation, although they would have been justified in doing so. They, however, only adopted a provisional independence, and pledged themselves to support the constitution of 1824. They repelled force and resisted oppression; they did not rebel against the laws of the republic, for they subscribed to its constitution, and administered the laws of the republic over that territory as far as was in their power. They had not invaded Mexico. They had not assumed to invade her territory; but they were deemed contumacious in not submitting to the demands of a tyrant. From October, 1835, to March following, they remained with a provisional government; not encroaching on the rights of Mexico, but merely organized themselves to give resistance to tyranny. Every barrier of their liberties had been broken down, and all their rights had been disregarded. Their arms had been demanded when they were surrounded by a savage foe, and when many of them depended on their rifle for the support of their families, and for resistance to an invading army. There was then no alternative left. They must either yield an unconditional submis- sion or submit to extermination. They resolved to stand in defence of their rights and privileges, and, in March, 1836, Texas declared herself sovereign and independent of Mexico. The world saw what was her condition. Was she acting under no excitement? Had she no danger to apprehend from the resentment of Santa Ana? Were there no armies marching to invade her rights? Had not Zacatecas fallen? And if that State could not escape the malice of the monster, what had Texas to hope but in her own arms? She had her inherent rights to maintain and defend. The Alamo was besieged on the 23d of February, 1836; by a well- appointed army of nine thousand men~ that fortress was sur- rounded, with its little band of but one hundred and fifty men. Texas then felt that she was about to be swept as with the besom of destruction; still she stood but on the defensive. Did that look like rebellion? They had gone there to acquire rights, and being there, thus defended their rights; but Texas never rebelled. There were no rebels there. They merely defended their rights under the constitution; but it was a constitution which was dissolved, per- verted, or destroyed, and Texas was resolved into her original elements like the other States; and had Mexico ever had union since? Where is Yucatan now? Talk of the integrity of the Mexican Republic! Why it is a stain, a blot on constitutional liberty, to call Mexico a republic. She presented a country dis- tracted and severed, divided into numerous factions. Was there
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