“That’s right,” they encouraged. “And we’ve sure paid for all we’ve got. If ’twasn’t for us there wouldn’t be a sod turned in all Texas.”
And now [continued Dick], when we had accomplished all this, when we had just fairly established ourselves in peace and plenty, just brought around us our families and friends, the form of government under which we had been born and educated, and the only one to which we would have sworn allegiance, is destroyed by the usurper, Santa Anna, and a military, central government is about to be established in its stead. To this new form of government the people of Texas have refused to submit.
“Not by a jugful will we submit,” they chorused. “We’re going to see this thing through.”
What number of mercenary soldiers will invade our country we know not [continued Dick, reading], but this much we do know, that the whole force of the nation that can possibly be spared will be sent to Texas, and we believe that we will have to fight superior numbers. But we believe victory in the end will be ours. Only one sentiment animates every bosom, and every one is determined on ‘victory or death.’
“My sentiments exactly, boys,” remarked somebody. “Expressed just like this:
For this we are determined, to die or to be free,
And Texas triumphant our watchword shall be!
Better to die freemen than to live as slaves.”
“Listen here,” bade Dick. “We’re coming now to a powerful piece of language. It’s the kernel.” And he read with rising tone and kindling cheek.
Citizens of the United States of the North—we are but one people! Our fathers, side by side, fought the battles of the Revolution. We, side by side, fought the battles of 1812 and 1815. We were born under the same government, taught the same political creed, and we have wandered where danger and tyranny threaten us. You are united to us by all the sacred ties that can bind one people to another. You are, many of you, our fathers and brothers—among you dwell our sisters and mothers—we are alien to you only in country. Our principles, both moral and political, are the same; our interest is one, and we require and ask your aid, appealing to your patriotism and generosity.