Fraternity-Testvériség, 1966 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1966-05-01 / 5. szám

10

FRATERNITY

IT’S GOOD TO KNOW

TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

On March 2, 1836 — 130 years ago — Texas seceded from Mexico. What is today Texas was for many years an area of conflict. Occupied originally by various Indian tribes, it was colonized by Spain but came under Mexican rule when Mexico successfully revolted against Spain. Meantime, however, Americans were looking at Texas with covetous eyes and were settling there in increasing numbers. On this day (March 2, 1836) a group of Texans assembled at Washington, Texas, adopted a

declaration of independence from Mexico, and drew up a constitution modeled upon that of the United States. A provisional government for the newly-declared republic was established and Sam Houston was named commander of the Army. Houston avenged the bloody massacre at the Alamo by leading Texan forces in the victorious battle of San Jacinto, in which the Mexican general Santa Ana was captured. Sam Houston was installed as president of the republic of Texas. Although recognized by the United States, Texas petitioned for annexation in 1837. It was not until 1845, however, that Congress voted to admit Texas into the Union as the 28th State. — (A. C. N. S.)

THE "WHISKEY REBELLION"

On March 3, 1791 — 175 years ago — a federal law establishing a tax on liquor was passed by Congress. Since this tax was extremely unpopular in western Pennsylvania and in sections of North Carolina, a number of people refused to pay it and man-handled the officers sent to collect it. In 1794, special arrangements were made to enforce the tax; thereupon western Pennsylvania threatened to rebel and mobs

advanced upon the little garrison in Pittsburgh. President Washington acted swiftly and called upon the governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia for a force of 15,000 men. These soon overawed the insurgents and they decided to submit. This incident is known in American history as the “Whiskey Rebellion”. The prompt action of the federal government helped strengthen national authority in the early years of the Republic. — (A. C. N. S.)

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS

On March 4, 1861 — 105 years ago — Abraham Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address in Washington, D. C. Between the time of

his election as President in November 1860 and his inauguration, seven Southern states, led by South Carolina, had seceded from the Union to become the Confederate States of America. Lincoln appealed to the South in his inaugural not to go to war. The new President said: “In