CHAPTER XIX.

ANNEXATION AND EDUCATION. 1845.

ENERAL Sam. Houston's "Lone Star Republic,"

of which he had prophesied in Tennessee, and over

which he had presided for two terms, making in all five years, the congress of which had been moving on wheels from one locality to another, in consequence of the repeated invasions, now had its seat of government at the old town of Washington, on the Brazos. In the fall of 1844, Anson Jones was elected as the successor of our long-admired and long-loved Houston, and the retiring president, on the ninth of December, 1844, delivered his valedictory in the town of Washington. A few extracts from this address are here inserted:

"Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, and fellow-citizens:

"This numerous and respectable assemblage of the free citizens of Texas and their representatives exhibits the best possible commentary upon the successful action and happy influence of the institutions of our country. We have met totogether for no purpose but that of adding another testimonial to the practicability of enlightened self-government, to witness a change of officers without the change of office, to obey the high behests of our written constitution, in good-will and fellowship, as members of the same great political

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family, sensible of our rights and fully understanding our duty.

"I am about to lay down the authority with which my countrymen, three years since, so generously and so confidingly invested me, and to return again to the ranks of my fellow-citizens. But in retiring from the high office which I have occupied to the walks of private life, I cannot forbear the expression of the cordial gratitude which inspires my bosom. The constant and unfailing support which I have had from the people in every vicissitude demands of me a candid and grateful acknowledgment of my enduring obligations. From them I have derived a sustaining influence, which has enabled me to meet the most tremendous shocks, and to pursue without faltering the course which I deemed proper for the advancement of the public interests and the security of the general welfare. I proudly confess that to the people I owe whatever of good I may have achieved by my official labors; for without the support which they so fully accorded me I could have acquired neither advantage for the republic nor satisfaction for myself.

"In my retirement I take with me no animosities. If ever they existed, they are buried in the past; and I would hope that those with whom it has been my lot to come in conflict, in the discharge of my official functions, will exercise toward my acts and motives the same degree of candor. "In leaving my station I leave the country tranquil at home, and, in effect, at peace with all nations.

"Our foreign relations, as far as the United States, France, England, Holland, and some of the principal States of Germany are concerned, are of the most agreeable character, and we have every assurance of their continuance.

"As to Mexico, she still maintains the attitude of nominal hostility. Instructed by experience, she might be expected to have become more reasonable; but the vain-glori ous and pompous gasconade so characteristic of that nation would indicate that she is not quite ready to acknowledge the independence we have achieved. If, however, she attempts the infliction of injuries she has so often denounced, I am fully assured that the same spirit which animated the heroic men who won the liberty we now enjoy, will call to the field a yet mightier host, to avenge the wrongs we have endured, and establish beyond question our title to full dominion over all we claim.

"When I look around me, fellow-citizens, and see and know that the prospects of the republic are brightening, its resources developing, its commerce extending, and its moral influence in the community of nations increasing, my heart is filled with sensations of joy and pride. A poor and despised people a few years ago, borne down by depressing influences at home and abroad, we have risen in defiance of all obstacles to a respectable place in the eyes of the world. One great nation is inviting us to a full participancy in all its privileges, and to a full community of laws and interests. Others desire our separate and independent national existence, and are ready to throw into our lap the richest gifts and favors.

"The attitude of Texas now, to my apprehension, is one of peculiar interest. The United States have spurned her twice already. Let her, therefore, maintain her position firmly as it is, and work out her own political salvation. Let her legislation proceed upon the supposition that we are to be and remain an independent people. If Texas goes begging again for admission into the United States, she will

only degrade herself. They will spurn her again from their threshold, and other nations will look upon her with unmingled pity. Let Texas, therefore, maintain her position. If the United States shall open the door and ask her to come into her great family of States, you will then have other conductors, better than myself, to lead you into a union with the beloved land from which we have sprung, — the land of the broad stripes and bright stars. But let us be as we are until that opportunity is presented; and then let us go in, if at all, united in one phalanx, and sustained by the opinion of the world.

"In the advance of the republic, from the earliest period of its history up to the present moment, we think we have demonstrated to the world our capacity for self-government. Among our people are to be found the intelligent and enterprising from almost every part of the globe. Though from different States, and of different habits, manners, sects and languages, they have acted with a degree of concord and unanimity almost miraculous. The world respects our position, and will sustain us by their good opinion; and it is to moral influence that we should look, as much as to the point of the bayonet or the power of cannon.

that

"My countrymen! Give to the rising generation instruction; establish schools everywhere among you. You will thus diffuse intelligence throughout the masses, great safeguard to our free institutions. Among us education confers rank and influence; ignorance is the parent of degradation. Intelligence elevates man to the highest destiny; but ignorance degrades him to slavery.

"In quitting my present position, and a second time retiring from the chief-magistracy of the republic, I feel the highest satisfaction in being able to leave my country

men in the enjoyment of civil and religious freedom, and surrounded by many evidences of present and increasing prosperity. This happy condition is ascribable to that wise and benign Providence which has watched over our progress and conducted us to the attainment of blessings so invaluable. Let us, therefore, strive to deserve the favor of Heaven, that we may be established in all the privileges of freemen, and achieve that destiny which is always accorded to the faithful pursuit of good and patriotic objects.

"It is unnecessary for me to detain you longer. I now, therefore, take leave of you, my countrymen, with the devout trust that the God who has inspired you with faithful and patriotic devotion will bless you with his choicest gifts. I shall bear with me, into the retirement in which I intend to pass the remainder of my life, the grateful and abiding recollection of your many favors."

The year 1844 passed out with the brightest prospects, as seen in this valedictory. The election of James K. Polk to the presidency of the United States was an evidence to the public mind that Texas would be annexed to the American Union at an early day. The party that nominated and elected Polk favored annexation, and the discussion of this question occupied much attention in the canvass. On the twenty-fifth day of February, 1845, the annexation act passed the congress of the United States, and on the first of March it passed the Senate. President Tyler had the honor of giving his official signature on the same day, three days before passing out of office. This act was approved by Texas, on the twenty-third day of June, 1845.

Emigration poured rapidly out of the old States into the