The document proclaiming Texas Independent of Mexico exercised greaterinfluence over the destinies of the people of the United States than anyinstrument recorded in the annals of American history, except the Declarationof Independence proclaimed by American colonies at Philadelphia in 1776.This Declaration of Texas Independence changed the map of North Americanand plunged two nations into war, and because of Texas the United Stateshas almost doubled her territory.

All Texans should think today of the Fathers of Texas, who 94 yearsago had ridden on horseback, chiefly, over vast stretches of country fromall sections of this vast empire, over poor roads and no roads to meetat Washington-on-the-Brazos to decide on a government for Texas, and inthe face of the approach of hordes of the enemy, and with the certain knowledgethat if Santa Ana succeeded in his designs, their freedom and their verylives would be forfeited. But, they had been elected for a certain purpose,and had accepted, and "In spite of winds and storms, in spite of hardshipand poverty, in spite of difficulties and sacrifices, they labored on withinvincible fidelity and unswerving confidence. They found gratificationand delight in their work. It occupied their morning hours and lingeredin their midnight dreams. It was the wine cup from which they drank theirinspiration.

"The careers of many of these stalwart heroes have never been surpassedin tragic and romantic interest by those of any character in history.

"Their achievements become a wonder and a glory."

Let us look in spirit into the hall of the first capitol at Wasington-on-the-Brazos.

We see a room about 25x60 feet, down in the center of which is a longtable. The delegates, who were elected and sent with plenary powers toform a government, are seated or standing about the table. We may see GeorgeC. Childress, chairman of the committee on the Declaration of Independence,and who penned and presented this memorable document. Without discussionor amendment in the body it was unanimously approved, and adopted on March2, 1836. We may see present David Thomas who was elected as the first attorneygeneral of the Republic of Texas. Attorney General Thomas was severelywounded by an accidental discharge of a gun on board the boat Cayuga, comingfrom Galveston, after the battle of San Jacinto. He was taken to the DeZavala home, then in use as a hospital for the sick and wounded men onthe Republic of Texas. Here he later died and was buried in the De Zavalacemetery. Here also we may see Thomas J. Gazley, who on March 3rd offereda motion, "that five delegates be appointed to draft a suitable flag forthe Republic of Texas." We may also see these five men, Thomas J. Gazley,Lorenzo De Zavala, W. B. Scates, S. C. Robertson, Thomas Barnet, and thepresident of the convention, Mr. Ellis, as they place before the body thedesigns submitted. The flag of De Zavala is the one accepted by the conventionand thus became the national flag of the Republic of Texas. The flag isof three equal parts, red, white and blue, showing its former relationto Mexico in its three equal parts, the colors, the same as those of theUnited States, showed the origin of many of its citizens, while its singlestar proclaimed that it stood alone, free and independent, a Republic,a nation of the world. The single point of the star points up, as if tosay, "Look up. onward, and upward! The five points indicate the five characteristicsa good citizen should possess. He should be intelligent, upright, broadminded,unselfish and courageous.

We may also see Michael B. Menard, the Father of Galveston, FranciscoRuiz, Jose Antonio Navarro, Sidney O. Pennington, Andrew Briscoe and theother tried and true men who to the number of 59 took part in the proceedingsof the convention, or, at least arrived
in time to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Sixty-two delegates were elected to this convention, but James Kerr,J. J. Linn and Juan Antonio Padilla, regularly elected delegates were unavoidablydetained and reached Washington (after the papers had been carried offby the secretary) too late to sign the Declaration of Independence. Thereare only 58 signatures in the copy preserved at the Sate capitol. Asa Bringham'sname does not appear, however, it does appear in a printed copy, and itmay have been accidentally omitted from the original we possess, whichis only one of the "five originals," made at the time and was the one carriedto Washington by our representatives.

The Birthday of Texas should never be passed over in silence by a childor citizen of Texas. He should remember the toll and anxiety of these menin his behalf and in the cause of freedom, and the memorable services renderedhumanity at large and civil government by their patriotic and courageousstand against tyranny. He should love and honor the heroes of Texas andcherish their memories and endeavor to pass on the light of liberty bequeathedto them. He should not be so ease loving and self loving that he shirksduty, but should accept the work of keeping the principles for which theytoiled and died alive in the land they loved and for which they sufferedin order to make a free and ideal home for themselves.