The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 54, July 1950 - April, 1951 Page: 5
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
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The Eugene C. Barker Texas History Center
himself. And it is "that something" that he symbolizes that will
be perpetuated in this Eugene C. Barker Texas History Center,
a living monument whose usefulness will increase with the years
and become literally the lengthening shadow not merely of a
man but of a man's integrity and character and work.
Of the man himself I make no estimate. That was perfectly
done by J. Evetts Haley seven years ago and no one ought ever
to try to do it over again. But I do remind you of the folk belief
that a man comes to resemble what he knows and loves best.
Of Stephen F. Austin he wrote a decade and a half ago: "I know
him better than I know my friends and companions in daily
association." I wonder if you can see shining through his evalu-
ation of the Father of Texas a glimpse of the man who wrote it?
I know him as a quiet kindly gentleman, loyal to those who were
loyal to him and generous toward those who obstructed and opposed
him. ... His natural disposition was frank and impulsive, but his
position .. made it necessary for him to guard his tongue and curb
his feelings, so that to some of the men of his own time he seemed
... cold. He could not afford the luxury of warm friendships because
such indulgence would expose him to the suspicion of partiality.
He must treat all alike.
Inevitably he was lonely, and, as a lonely man must, he thought
much about himself and his work; and he knew the value of his
work. ... In his heart he knew ... [quoting Austin] 'In the end,
they [Texans] will be just and if I merit a reward from them they
will give it.'
Today, Sir, a reward is given, not to you but to something
which transcends you. But it is something you have created.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 54, July 1950 - April, 1951, periodical, 1951; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101133/m1/25/?rotate=270: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.