H. W. GRABER.
The following is the concurrent resolution introduced by Judge Kittrell and passed:
Concurrent Resolution:
Whereas, the Legislature of Texas has just heard with emotions of sincerest pleasure that the Legislature of the State of Indiana has adopted a resolution providing for the return of the battle flag of Terry’s Texas Rangers, which was captured by an Indiana regiment during the late war between the States, and has appointed a committee, including Gov. Mount and his staff to visit Texas and return said flag to the Association of the Survivors of Terry’s Texas Rangers. Therefore, be it
Resolved, by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That the action of the Legislature of Indiana is recognized as most generous, chivalric and patriotic and is hailed as a most gratifying evidence of the restoration of that unselfish and unsectional spirit upon the existence and continuance of which so largely depends the prosperity and happiness of our common country, and that the thanks of the Legislature of Texas be and are hereby tendered the Legislature of our sister State of Indiana for its patriotic action. And be it further
Resolved, That the committee appointed by the Legislature of Indiana to return said flag be and it is hereby invited to visit the city of Austin at the earliest possible day to the end that appropriate ceremonies may mark the occasion of the return of said flag, for which ceremonies the use of the hall of the House of Representatives is hereby tendered. Be it further
Resolved, That an invitation to attend said ceremonies be and is hereby extended to the Governor and other State officers and the Legislature of Indiana and to the Governor and other State officers of Texas, to the Association of the Survivors of Terry’s Texas Rangers, John B. Hood Camp, Austin Camp of the Grand Army of the Republic and the inmates of the Confederate Home. Be it further
Resolved, That these resolutions be at once transmitted by wire to the Governor of Indiana with the request that he lay them at once before the Senate and House of Representatives of that State and a duly engrossed copy thereof, signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and duly attested by the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate be likewise transmitted by mail to both the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate of the State of Indiana.
Governor Mount was taken sick very soon after and was unable to come to Texas immediately, but in a further correspondence with him, asked to have the time of his visit deferred until fall, which suited our purpose exactly. Colonel Wylie, in the meantime, received a newspaper clipping, containing the action of the army post, endorsed by General Ryan, demanding that the flag be not returned, when we both agreed we would keep the matter secret, which we did. There is no doubt it would have marred the pleasure of the Governor’s visit had any mention been made to him of the matter.
After my comrades of the committee learned I had been successful in having the flag returned, Mr. W. D. Cleveland of Houston insisted that the meeting on the return of the flag should be had in his city. Mr. Littlefield claimed it ought to be at Austin and so on, but I finally decided that it ought to be at Dallas during our State Fair, when we had low railroad rates and greater crowds than they could gather at any point in Texas. I then submitted the matter to Governor Mount and had his letter, expressing himself highly pleased, as he would thus be enabled to see more of Texas than he would at any other time, having heard a great deal about the extent of our State Fair. He furthermore stated in this letter that when he came to Texas he would come in state, as the representative of the State of Indiana.