The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 78
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78 Texas Historical Association Qvarteirly.
should be grateful to Dr. Garrison for the way in which he has
illustrated it in the book under consideration. Beginning with the
earliest records he has patiently searched out and tried all possible
sources of information, and having faithfully performed this weary-
ing labor, he comes to us with the wrought out results, the finished
product of his mind. His the toil and the pain, ours the benefit and
the pleasure.
Probably the most noticeable thing about the book, after the
absence of detail, is its breadth of view. Matters which the mere
local historian would deem little more than neighborhood quarrels,
from the author's broader information are shown to result from rev-
olutions in Europe, or diplomacy, or treachery of men high in offi-
cial position in the United States. So throughout the work, nothing
is dealt with as purely local, but everything it looked upon as a part
of the world's march of progress. The book ought to do good in
forcing Texans away from provincialism.
While the work is free from tedious personal detail, it yet gives
some most interesting insight into individual character. Take for
ilustration the portrayal of the self-suppression of Stephen F. Aus-
tin in his endeavor to obtain the approval of the federal govern-
ment of Mexico of the proposed State constitution of Texas, pre-
pared by the convention of 1833. Similar character touches appear
throughout the book.
Special emphasis is given to the presence, insistence, growth, and
success of the sentiment in favor of public education in Texas,
and of the system of schools established in response to it.
Perhaps too little is said of religious matters except in connec-
tion with the early Spanish Mexican missions, and in vindication
of Austin from charges of insincerity in regard to the terms of
his contracts regarding Catholicism. So far as the Republic and
State are concerned, it is only by inference that we have any idea as
to the prevailing religion or its influence upon the growth and
destiny of the people.
The book treats quite clearly the effects of European politics, if
contentions between different nations, each seeking its own interest,
can be called by that name, upon the settlement and development
of the country and its governmental institutions up to the time of
annexation. It gives tersely, but accurately, the general situation
of the country when Austin sought and obtained permission to plant
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904, periodical, 1904; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101030/m1/82/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.