THE BATTALION. 13
who responded more quickly and willingly than Texans,*and
historians are never tired of painting in the most glowing and
eloquent language the bravery and heroism of Texan soldiers.
The main source of the beef that is consumed by people
in all parts of the country comes from Texas. One-fourth of
the world’s cotton product is raised by Texan farmers, and
the day is not far distant (if it has not already arrived ) when
the Lone Star State with her broad acres and beautiful prair
ies, at one time the home of the longhorn steer, the Indian
and the cowboy, will be the garden spot of the world.
The annexation of Texas was followed by the war witn
Mexico, which added to our country the balance of the land
then lying between ot r western boundary and the Pacific
Ocean, and made the Rio Grande River our southwestern
boundary.
The development of the extensive mining and coal inter
ests of this country has all been brought about since the ac
quisition of this territory and the subjection of this immense
body of land to the interests of mining and agriculture is one
of the greatest benefits tlmt has accrued to the United States.
She has her immediate connection by steamship lines with
the Orient, China and Japan. The trade of the United States
with these countries has already assumed such large propor
tions that whenever a railway starts at any point west of the
Mississippi river, its western terminus is San Francisco, San
Diego or some Pacific port.
A recital of these items of history has been given in order
to illustrate the immense benefits that have been derived from
these different sections of the country by the acquisition of
territory on the part of the United States.
England is an excellent example of the benefits a country
derives from the acquisition of territory: It is said, and
truly so, that the sun never ceases to shine on the possessions
of England. Look at her vast possessions on this continent
for instance. The Dominion of Canada, with its enormous
umber and fur trade forms one of England’s chief revenues.