The New Era. (Palestine, Tex.), Ed. 1 Thursday, April 21, 1881 Page: 1 of 4
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(£\xe 'HIcrx> (Sra,
i;. II. SMALL. Kditoh AND PKOIMUDTOK I
Palestine. Thursday. April i?l. 1881.
SUPPLEMENTAL EDITION.
SAN JACINTO DAY.
itennion of tbe T*x>im Veteran*,
(be r rtr-Flfth AmiJvornnry of
the Battle of Kiiu Jiicliito,
The morning opened hmuspktiously for
tin- programme andceremonies of theday.
riio lowering and omnious clouds threat-
ening rain. Still-Jhc preparations for
carrying «out the programme that had
been adopted wont actively 011.
The detachment of canoncers • from the
•Old Guard" artillery having arrived on
the morning train from Houston, they,
opened the programme by saluting the
-Lone Star" with live guns, at 8tl5.
At S:-15 another salute of eighteen guns
w a tired, the rain descending the while
in a gentle, steady shower. It now seeni-
I :il most inevitable that the grand street
parade and out-door apcakiilg would have
In lie dispensed with.
At !):!>() Keelan's colored band of Hons-
ion. appeared at the head of Avenue A,
and opened with Inspiring strains of mu-
sic, the rain having slackened up in the
meantime
At 0:45 the rain commenced to fall again,
the thunder rolling in heavy reverbera-
tions up from the South-west, which was
answered with a salute of 20 guns, when
the vent of the piece was fouled by the tine
powder they wi«re using, and Lieut. 01-
eott. commanding the'detacliment. ceased
the tiring.
The rain became so incessant and heavy
tiiat the procession, which had beiyan t >
form, was abandoned, and the veterans
were escorted into the Temple Opera
Hall bv the Knights Templar.
The proceedings v were opened at 10:25
with prayer by I lev. J. Woolani, in
which lie returned fervent thanks to A1--
mighty God for his goodness in sparing
tbe lives of so many of the old veterans of
Texas, and invoking the blessings of God
upon them and their families.
At 10:30 the band marched into the ball.
p)aj lug a spirited piece of music. after
which Muj. Ira H. Evans introduced Col.
P. \V. Johnson, president of the Associa-
tion, who made a few pertinent and pa-
triotic remarks, which were greeted with
•i t ripple round of applause.
• Master Toimnie Pickens was then .intro-
duced, and greeted the veterans in the
following address:
Vkteuans ok Sax Jacinto :—Allow me.
as the delegate re[ resenting the students
of Palestine Masonic Institute, to otter our
congratulations and extend our greetings
unto you, the survivors of that well-fought
battle upon the plains of Sail Jacinto,
which wre.-;ed from despotism an em-
pire in extent, and added a new member
;o the family ot liepfrblics. so congenial
U^the soul of the new world!
.it Is It true that our eyes, at this nio-
"TiTont, are gazing upon the surviving rem-
nant of that heroic band of seven hundred
and eighty-three, who. in forced marches
from the West, hastened to meet the ser-
ried hosts of Mexico, commanded by the
ehiettan, Santa Anna—the Napoleoif of
tlie great Southwest—and the haughty
dictator of the magnificent kingdom of
I he Monteztiuias?
And dlil your eyes greet that lovely
sunrise. April 21.st,-lS'j(5, as glorious as
when he rose upon the fields of Bannock-
burn or Austeriitz■? And did yod witness
Ids noonday splendor, and even his de-
cline midway down the slope of the west-
ern sky. before the order in council of
war was promulgated, taken up, echoed
and re-echoed throughout that encamp-
ment—"Prepare! Prepare tor battle?"
And were you among that number who
forward marched, to the tunc of "Come
to My Bower," In double-quick, to the
deadly assault, with the battle-cry upon
your lips—"Remember the Alamo," fac-
ing at the same time the music of "the
cannon's opening kmu," and the shrill
whistle of the death-dealing mupketry t
And did your voices, after that memo-
rable eighteen minutes conflict, mingle
"and ring the proud hurrah." when the
red Held was won, and the enemy in full
tide of inglorious retreat? Yes. you are
the survivors, these the achievements, and
this the "Day Wo Celebrate." Time
would full us, mid your patience become
wearied, while our youthful curiosity
would lain ask it thousand and one ques-
tions about flic treaty, tbe captives, the
booty, the rout, the sack, the carnage:
and perhaps it would be impertinent, at
least Invidious in us, to Inquire all about
the Shermans, the l'usks. the Whartons.
tbe Burleeons. the Houston*, whom we
never saw, of whom we have only read.
Pray tell us. (for you have seen then)),
were they giants, "like oldGollah tail?''
Was each soldier in that day a host? And
did legions ot angels help to gain so
signal a victory ?
All honor, and praise, and renown to
the heroes of San Jacinto. Green be the
graves and memory of those who have
fallen asleep, and are laid away In the se|>-
ulcher ot their fathers. To thein we will
sing pteana of praise, and to tilth-memories
—when we slmli succeed to the control of
affairs—"monuments more enduring than
brass" shall arise. To yon. the living,
moving survivors, we pray your days may
yet be long in the land your prowess
helped to make free, and may you live to
enjoy many a returning anniversary,
and greet comrades, country-
men. and citizens, and strangers, uiul
"the millions yet to be." When, fellow-
eitlzens, this small band of veterans shall
wane, even down to a last solitary indi-
vidual survivor, aiv l when he shall stand
before the Incoming generation to tell how,
like the Belied Knights, in the days of
Iking John, on the council meadows of
Rnnymede. he iiud his compeers, on the
plains of San Jacinto, wrested from Cas-
tllian tyranny Uie ••MagnaClmita"of"ihe
ltberties we this day enjoy," weli may a
mourning nation take up the lamentation
of the poet— «
Their sun ii,'.* set;
Arise some other siteh.
At the conclusion of Tommle Pickens'
speech he was greeted with n shower of
hoquets. and on motion of Col. Bryan, re-
ceived the thanks of the Association for
his handsome tribute to the veterans W
Texas.
Mrs. Hamlett was then introduced by
Maj. ilvtins, and read the following beau-
tiful poem, which was frequently inter-
rupted with hearty applause:
Proudly mv hall this welcome mora.
Our Independent)# Puyl
One-', by mperior strength o'erborne.
Our llitio army, weary, warn,
Discouraged mid expcWMWifcyi' >■
That glofttny, hopeles* April Any.
That grand and glorious April tiny,
On San Jacinto's fateful ilelil,
Determined to lio free!
Determined they would never yiold
While they had nrins or strength to wield;
'Twns death or Victory!
Before them lay mu- vengeful fees,
Behind them was thessa ;
The "sun of AustwHtz" anWo
And gave us liberty.
These are the men who bravely stood
. Upon that April day,
All hungry for the foe-man's blood,
And, knowing that their cause was {food,
Pprang to the earn age that ensued
As eagle's snatch tholrprey.
Those are the men, with silvered hair,
And furrowed cheek and brov.*,
And figures heat with toll and care,
Who made their glorious record there.
And wear their laurels now!
For them the minstrels' notes r.wound;
To thorn our gratitude profound
Wo ulng in broken lay.
Tills Is the land their valor won
Upon that April day I
The fairest land beneath the sun!
The deurep* land our lienrto havo.known!
All honor to the bravo lie done,
And blesslnirs on their way I-
Bring flowers to crown the warrior's brov.',
Mother's and daughters fair. (
Bring music, mirth and feasting, now.
And slros and sons come fort h to share
With civic pomp and grand array,
The glad thanksgiving of to-day !
After tho battle, victory;
After the warfare',' peace;
After the struggle to Ijh free.
Such dear delights aa thoso!
Next Cnpt. Gamumge was Introduced,
and welcomed the veterans to tbe cordial
hospitalities of the City of Palestine, In
his peculiarly felicitous style.
The orator of the day, Hon. Jno. 11.
Reagan, was then Introduced, and enter-
tained the Association foranhoiir. be
said:
VKTKKAKS OK TEXAS, AXD FEI.LOW-C|T1-
zf.ns : The great concourse of people you
sec here to-day. greet you with, pleasure,
and bid you a most hearty welcome, as
patriots and heroes of a past generation.
In using the word heroes, I would not 1«
understood as assuming that you are ail
the heroes of battles fought tind
won on bloody fields. Pence hath
torios, tind its heroes too., us well a
and the citizens who. (Struggling with'
privations and .dangers of a, frontier 1
such as nil of you have gone throti
with the patience, fortitude, self-denial,
perseverance and moral courage necessary 1
to maintain personal rights, to organize j
and sustain social order and civil govern-
ment. to win national independence, found ]
a republic and build up a great State, are
no less hemes timt; those who win irlory >
and fame upon the battle field. We bail,
you, us having borne your respective parts. J
whether in pence or war. in founding the >
Republic and State of Texas; as having:
contributed to their defence, support, I
growth, honor ami glory; and as being
entitled to the full measure of the grati-
tude of a generous, brave, enlightened,
proud und noble people.
We feel especially honored to-day by j
the presence of these noble Texas mothers. •
the wives ami widows of tho brave men
who won our independence—noble women j
In the truest sense. Good u'ul true, be-
cause of their native worth: because of!
the simplicity and purity of your lives;
because of your uvteiiriou to your domes-!
duties, and your dcvotion.to your families'
and your country. You were tit to be the
wives and niotliers of heroes. You lived
before the era of •• Dolly Yarden" dresses |
and high heeled boots; and your maiden '
blushes were the real blossoms of modes- j
ty, not in tula of rouge and starch, of
whom it might have been Said—
"A modest blush sh'.i wore, not formed bv art.'
Free from doouit her fac-*, u.ul full and fruu
her heart."
And of the sons of such mothers it'
might well be said—
"Happy he,
With such a mot; or! Faith in womankind i
lie.ils with Uls uii.od. tiad trust In >,.1 thhuss1
hi.n
(liiiacs s .vv t.«-. Mr.;."
*• «
ft may not he anuss lo su.- that
has experienced many changes in her po-
litical government.
1st. Claimed raid controlled by tin* mon-
archy of Spain;, by right of discovery.
2d. Ceded by Spain to Franc-, pursuant
to the treaty of October. 1800.
iid. Transferred by France to 1 lie United
States, by the treaty of April. 1 >51
•1th. Exchanged for Florida, and re-ced-
ed tn Spain by the United Stales under tho
treaty of February. 1S1!
fl'.h. Seyered from Spain ami made part
.iblic ot -Mexico, bv ivvofr
prior to 1S2
Crh. Erected'
by the revolution of 1 N;!|
7111. Annexed to the
consent o! the people
came n State In tiie Unit
lSKi.
8th, Adopted her <' 'di::,il
and became one of tin < ol
of America, in 1801.
8th, 1'estored to tin: i'n.
of tbe Confederacy, it)
A satisfactory account o|
and of the consequences
them, cannot be attempt!
sioo. as it would till many
this reference to iheni nu:\J
place.
Friends. 1 feel' iiat I havel
form to-day of no ordin;
First, because of the inipe
subjects to be discussed. An
cause I have to follow the
live red before this/Vssoeiatioi!
tingished fellow-citizen, the 111
Bryan, in 1873, so replete wi
quonce of great thoughts nni
feeling; of Col. Charles DeMol
which I have read with very great pleas-
ure, and which 1 regard as one of the most
noble and eloquent that ever came from
that gifted and pure and partriotie man; and
that of Col. II. B. Andrews, of last year,
which is luminous with liicts. and full of
the bright corruseations oi genius.
"1 cannot hope to present you with .such
a '"feast of reason and How of soul" as
either of these, and must Mmit myself to
the less ambitious task of recalling to your
attention some interesting facts, and to
pointing to results which liaye followed
from them, and to others yet to be hoped
for.
Forty-five years ago to-day the battle of
San Jacinto was fought. We meet to cele-
brate the victory then won, and to con-
template some of Its results. Before do-
ing so we may with profit recur to some
portions of our history which preceded
that event.
The first American, colonists were into-
duced Into Texas in the year 1821, though
ani^
no wl
you ]
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change ol'
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Small, R. H. The New Era. (Palestine, Tex.), Ed. 1 Thursday, April 21, 1881, newspaper, April 21, 1881; Palestine, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth235690/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.