THE BATTALION.
11
The Future of the Lone Star State.
AN ORATION.
E. W,
HE birthpangs of a nation foreshadow its future. The
oft and eloquently told narrative of adventurous daring,
hardy perseverance, and intelligent zeal which has made the
leaders of her colonies so famous, are the yet unappreciated
springs whence her present greatness originated and whence
in undiminished richness came the elements of her future
ascendency.
The sequence of events, which brought the Lone Star
to the horizon, is the same under which our whole galaxy is
about to culminate the same spirit which actuated the Puri
tans, the Huegenot exiles, the English cavaliers, actuated
the Texan heroes. The Monroe doctrine is a deep rooted
American growth, and, eucalyptus like, it neutralizes mias
matic influences, whether native to the soil or transplanted
from abroad. Oh, Texas! It is with wonder and reverence
that we refer to thy privations; with tears and regret we
pause at the graves of thy heroes; with pride and joy we lis
ten to the acclamations of thy people, proclaiming to the
world that the oil of liberty annoints thy noble head.
With faith in the honest convictions of our fathers and
with the welfare and prosperity of the state at heart, we
joined the sister Southern States. Whether right or wrong,
it matters not now; the future, not the past, claims our at
tention.
The rays of the Lone Star penetrated the dark cloud of
defeat and cast a brilliant and glorious light over these sad
fields of carnage. No soldier discharged his duty better than
a Texan; no other regiments charged with such invincible
courage, no other state mourned more slain. What other
state began the construction period with such energy?
Casting aside, by diligent efforts, the horrible influences