HISTORIAN, DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS.
Perhaps never in the history of nations did the course of a revolution develop so rapidly from hopeless defeat to glorious victory as in the forty-six days from the fall of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, to the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, of the same year. So swiftly did important events crowd upon each other that in their contemplation one wonders that the victors, leaders as well as men, did not abandon themselves to the transports of delirious joy and revenge, instead of showing, as they did, unlooked for mercy toward their captive foe.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas have labored continuously since their organization in 1892 to impress upon the people of the State the sacred duty of owning the ground whereon were enacted these scenes, which nearly seventy years ago thrilled the civilized world with admiration. After nine or ten years of patient effort in the face of obstacles great enough to have baffled and discouraged weak hearts, they succeeded in inducing the State of Texas to become the owner of the battle field of San Jacinto. During all this time the work of education has been going on, and now that they are undertaking to accomplish the same high purpose for the Alamo, they hope that there may not be the same difficulties to encounter.
Yet in spite of the fact that the school master has long been in the land, there is an unfortunate and inexcusable ignorance in regard to the scene of the struggle in the Alamo, and the chapel which was bought by the State in 1883 is accepted by many who ought to know better as the whole and only theatre of the siege, defence, and holocaust. Just because it makes the story of the assault more thrilling to point out the exact spot where this one fell, and that one made a stand, this grand old pile has been made the medium for the perpetration of false accounts, until people who do not read history accept such teaching as true, and point to the tablets that have been hung in the old chapel, to contradict authentic historical statements recorded soon after the revolution. It is, however, gratifying to know that there is an enlightened public in Texas and beyond its borders, who sympathize with the objects of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in the establishment of the truth of history, and are willing to aid them in acquiring that part of the old mission and square which by a rare good fortune has been placed within their reach.
In order to make plain the progressive steps which have been taken toward the accomplishment of this purpose, I quote from Mrs. C. B. Stone, Second Vice President of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and acting President, in her annual address at the meeting of the organization at the city of Fort Worth on April 20, 1904:
“The great work that has absorbed our time and effort during the year, has been the raising of funds for the purchase of the Alamo Mission and the available grounds of the Mission. It is gratifying to tell you that the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs has co-operated with us in this laudable undertaking, and a deep interest is being manifested in this work by the press and people of our State, and we feel that the Alamo will soon stand unfettered and unburdened by the surroundings that now shame and desecrate its glorious history. Through the patriotism, zeal and unselfish devotion of Miss Clara Driscoll, of San Antonio, nobly aided by the De Zavala Chapter, D. R. T., of that city, inspired by Miss Adina De Zavala, the grand-daughter of that patriot Lorenzo De Zavala, collections for this fund have been made, amounting to a little more than seven thousand dollars ($7,000). To secure the purchase it was necessary to pay by February, 1904, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). Miss Driscoll, with a rare disregard of self-interest, advanced a little more than seventeen thousand dollars, to make this payment. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, through their Executive Board, have recognized this as a debt of honor, and pledged themselves to work unceasingly for the repayment of this sum to Miss Driscoll, and to meet an annual payment of ten thousand [dollars] ($10,000), for the term of five years, until the full sum of seventy-five thousand [dollars] ($75,000) has been paid. With concerted action and energy this can be done, and we feel that the people of Texas will not fail to respond to this call, and aid us to accomplish our purpose, in which the pride and glory of our State are so greatly involved.”
During the past year appeals have been made to the citizens of Texas through the newspapers, by means of chain letters, by personal solicitation, and by other customary methods in order to accumulate a fund sufficient to refund to Miss Driscoll the amount expended by her. But in view of the fact that many of the people of Texas are of the opinion that the State should become the purchaser of this property, contributions have not been so liberal as was hoped and expected, and, therefore, about the first of April the Daughters of the Republic of Texas issued the following appeal:
“To the Honorable the Chairman and Members of the Democratic Executive Comittees of each County in the State of Texas:
“Gentlemen: Your memorialists, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, an association composed of the widows, wives, daughters and female descendants of the early pioneers of Texas, who made the matchless history of our State, and sacrificed life and property for the benefit of humanity and freedom, respectfully represent:
First.“That the basis of our association is a desire to create a popular interest in the history of Texas, to cultivate a genuine and devoted love of country, and to impress upon the youth of our land an adequate conception of the great debt they owe to the men who, by their self-sacrifice and heroism, laid firm and deep the foundation of this great commonwealth, and secured to them the infinite blessing of constitutional liberty.
Second.“That the acquisition, preservation and proper adornment of the historic spots inseparably associated and connected with those deeds of heroism constitute object lessons, impressive as nothing else can be, of the State's greatness in the past, and will inevitably inspire a noble endeavor to perpetuate that greatness, and implant in the minds and hearts of succeeding generations a desire to emulate the example and maintain the high principles of patriotic devotion bequeathed them by their ancestors.
Third.“That the old Alamo Mission with its buildings and grounds, the sacred spot made dear to the heart of every Texan by reason of its baptism in the blood of heroes, is now placed within the reach of our people only by the patriotic devotion of Miss Clara Driscoll, one of the Daughters of the Republic, who, by her generous act in advancing over seventeen thousand dollars from her own private funds, in order to preserve it from the relentless grasp of commercial greed, has made it possible that the whole of the Alamo may yet become the property of the people of Texas, and be forever preserved as a shrine before which future generations should stand in reverent deference.
“In view of these premises, we, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, respectfully appeal to you, the representatives of the democracy of Texas, and ask you, in the name of justice and right, and in behalf of the duty of our citizenship to the memory of departed heroes, to appeal to all of your respective conventions that they ask that the members of the next legislature—Senators and Representatives—be instructed to demand the passage of a sufficient appropriation to pay off the debts due on the Alamo Mission at San Antonio, and to favor such appropriate legislation as is suggested by Article XVI, Section 39, of the State Constitution, and as from time to time may be proper to secure the historical spots of Texas, and to insure the dedication and suitable care of them.
“We especially and earnestly request that all delegates to all conventions be instructed to vote for such measures as a platform pledge of the Democratic party—the dominant party—which controls the destiny of Texas, and to demand the same of the State Democratic Convention.
“Trusting that the righteousness of our cause may be evident to the manhood of Texas, and being conscious of the rectitude of our motives and intentions, we submit our appeal to the candid judgment of an honorable and patriotic people.
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“Mrs. Anson Jones, President, Houston.
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“Mrs. Rebecca J. Fisher, Second Vice President, Austin.
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“Mrs. C. B. Stone, Third Vice-President, Galveston.
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“Mrs. Kate S. Terrell, Fourth Vice-President, Dallas.
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“Mrs. Walter Gresham, Fifth Vice-President, Galveston.
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“Mrs. Adele B. Looscan, Historian, Houston.
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“Mrs. Charles H. Milby, Secretary, Harrisburg.
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“Mrs. Adele B. Looscan, Assistant Secretary pro tem., Houston.
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“Miss Belle Fenn, Treasurer, Houston.”
Should there be favorable action by the representatives of the people in Texas in their State Conventions and in the next legislature, there will result a speedy and honorable consummation of a glorious purpose, which otherwise might be long delayed in its accomplishment. In the meantime Miss Clara Driscoll, of San Antonio, as chairman and treasurer of the Alamo Mission Fund. will continue to receive payments, recording the names of each contributor in durable volumes which will be carefully preserved and in time deposited in the Alamo—the Texas Hall of Fame.
How to cite:
Looscan, Adèle B., "THE WORK OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS IN BEHALF OF THE ALAMO ", Volume 008, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 79 - 82. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v008/n1/article_6.html
[Accessed Mon Dec 1 23:28:13 CST 2008]
