12 THE BATTALION.
of war, she thus gained the confidence of her sister states
and inspired them by her example.
Such was the conduct of the Lone Star when adversity
cast its baleful mantle over the bright face of our country.
This is not intended as a brilliant prelude to extinguish the
faults of a mediocre future. While the deeds of statesmen
make interesting pages of history, true greatness is denoted
by the progress of civilization.
The advance of civilization has been marvelous. Cities
containing thousands of inhabitants have sprung up like
magic; broad fields, hitherto unknown to the agriculturist,
now bear their choicest fruits for the benefit of millions.
The census of 1880 gave us a population of 1,591,749, while
that of 1890 made it three million in ten years. Of the con
dition of Texas at the present time it is not necessary to
speak. She lies before you—gaze and judge for yourself.
Next to the ability and character of the inhabitants the
wealth of a country depends on the nature and condition of
the soil.
The Lone Star acknowledges no superior either in qual
ity or quantity. Dame Nature, usually so meagre with her
gifts, has distributed them here with a lavish hand. She
seems to have collected her noblest constituents in one vast
spot, erecting an everlasting monument to perpetuate her
fame. The Lone Star is situated between the parallels 25
deg., 51 min., and 66 deg., 30 min., north latitude, and the
meridians 16 deg., 27 min., and 29 deg., 43 min., west from
Washington. It is naturally divided in three sections, which
form an ascending slope from the low coast line of the south
east to the high plains and mountains of the northwest.
There are the coast plains, Middle Texas or the rolling prai
rie belt, and high plains and table lands. The climate is re
markably mild and salubrious. It is free from the extremes
of heat and cold, though warm enough for the production of