[4281) [BURNET MESSAGE]
l\'lessai;?;e of the President, to the First Congress, of the Republic of Texas
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Represen tatives: The assembling of the elect representatives of a free and sovereign people, within the late department of Texas, is an event that calls for the warmest gratulations of every patriot heart. But mutual felicitations alone, would be inadequate to express the high sentiments that ought to pervade our bosoms on this solemn and interesting occasion. Holier and loftier feelings become us; for it is meet that we raise our thoughts and our thanksgivings to that omnipotent Being who rules the universe, directs the affairs of empires, and guides the destiny of all. Among the many revolutions that have varied the political condition of men, few have exemplified more clearly, than that in which we are now engaged, the controlling supervision, and the high approbation of a beneficent Providence. We have realized, by actual demonstration, that "the battle is not always with the strong." The enemy came upon us, a well marshalled host-with great vigor and might; but he was repelled by a mere handfull of patriots, and the flush of his confidence, inspired by numbers, was turned to paleness and trembling. It therefore behoves us, in the spring-time of our national existence, to lift up our hearts in devout gratitude to the God of battles, that preadventure He may continue his blessings and vouchsafe to us a happy issue to all our labors. On you, fellow-citizens, members of the first Congress of the republic of Texas, labors of the most arduous, the most interesting, and the most important character devolve. To you is committed the beginning of legislation; and as you shall lay the foundation, so will be reared the superstructure. On you, therefore, rests the high responsibility of giving political character, and moral r~putation, to one just born into the family of nations. The present generation will feel and exhibit the impress of your doings, and our posterity will transmit it to generations unborn. I pray, therefore, that in all your deliberations, you may be so guided by a spirit of wisdom, of justice, and of that when the star of Texas shall culminate in all its brightness, it may truth that when the star of Texas shall culminate in all its brightness, it may shed forth a
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