Remember the Alamo

The Vanguard ^ | March 12, 2004 | Rod D. Martin

[aardvark1]

REMEMBER THE ALAMO

"I am beseiged. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion...I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid...If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country."

These are the words of William B. Travis, who commanded the Alamo when Texas rebelled against Mexico's despot, Santa Anna.

March 6 was the 168th anniversary of the Alamo's fall, which cost Travis his life, along with almost 180 others who went down fighting on freedom's behalf.

That, at least, is how America once viewed the Texas Revolution, which ultimately led to Texas winning its independence from Mexico.

In recent decades, this explanation has been challenged by another revolution. Starting in the late 1960s, a "counterculture" emerged from the fever swamps of the hard Left and began its long march through our civilization, leaving nothing untouched.

Not even the Alamo.

Next month, a new movie about the Alamo will likely reach a theater near you. If it embraces the counterculture's critique, watch out: Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and their other heroic friends may well be tarred and feathered with crackpot revisionism.

The Left's critique goes something like this:

The Texas Revolution was a devious scheme hatched by Washington to snatch the future Lone Star State from the Mexicans. Moreover, critics claim, even if it weren't, it couldn't possibly have been about freedom, since Texans were for slavery. According to this view, the Revolution was a racist struggle by whites who chafed under Mexican authority.

This critique is wrong on all counts.

Travis' famous words were indeed a plea for help from America. But that help never came. As the whole world watched, neither Congress nor President Andrew Jackson lifted a finger. As for the Texans, though they declared independence later, they initially fought only for their rights under Mexico's U.S.-style constitution of 1824, a constitution which the dictator Santa Anna had shredded.

As for alleged racism as a motive, why were so many of the Alamo's defenders themselves native-born Mexicans? And why did Mexican pro-democracy author, publisher, diplomat and politician Lorenzo de Zavala join the Texan cause as its first Vice President, leaving behind a lifelong career in Mexico and Spain?

As for slavery, even raising the argument misses the point. Slavery remained legal at the time across most of the world, including the United States itself, both North and South. Moreover, despite the unique evil of race-based slavery in the Americas, throughout time slavery cut across all racial lines. Just this week, The Washington Times reported on a new study from Ohio State University describing African Muslim slave raids into Europe down almost to the time of the Alamo, capturing at least a million white Europeans and denuding coastal towns as far north as Iceland. It is no marvel that 1836-era Texans -- or Mexicans, or Algerians, or Ibo ­ owned slaves: the shock remains that, by the end of that century, slavery had been all but eradicated from the Earth.

In this same vein, the revisionists ignore how many of the Alamo defenders hailed from other states and even other nations. Why would they join Travis in the first place? To defend slavery? Hardly.

No, the Texas Volunteers -- whatever their human flaws -- fought for freedom. They fought against a wanton, authoritarian regime far richer and far more powerful than they. And their wisdom speaks for itself: one hardly need travel to Mexico to see the disaster the century and a half of socialism and one-party rule since Santa Anna has wrought upon that resource rich land and its proud, hard-working people. One need only visit the endless stream of Mexicans coming to gleaming modern Texas to grasp the point that liberty matters, that freedom works.

Gripped by their loathing of our civilization, academia's tenured radicals can't bear this truth. By debunking past heroism, they hope to cut off our culture from what inspires and sustains it. By rewriting the past, they hope to hijack the future -- and remake America.

The new Alamo movie's director is "Happy Days" and "Andy Griffith's" Ron Howard. Let's hope that in the making of the movie, this icon of Americana hasn't surrendered to its harshest foes.

Let's hope he remembers the Alamo -- the real story, of one of the most pivotal moments in all history.

Copyright: Rod D. Martin, 12 March 2004.

[risk]

Don't get me wrong, I'm just worried about a narrow segment of the extreme right. You know they exist, and you know why they can't be trusted with power.

The proper strategy is to explain to mainstream America, even those on the center left and the agribusiness right, why illegal immigration, bun bans, and European multipolarity are aspects of another political extreme.

What the multipolarity proponents fail to realize is that people like Long Arm are a kind of a balance. Our founding fathers believed it. So should mainstream America. The task before us is to make a better case to middle America. Trust is the most important element. People need to see Long Arm as one of themselves, a true Minute Man. Captain Isaac's men on Lexington Green were trusted and loved by everyone they defended.

I still haven't read Matt's book, but it's pretty obvious to me that he's taking the approach I'm suggesting: making a case to the American people with the pen why the sword is essential to their freedoms. Sworn to defend the Constitution, he wields a keyboard like Captain Isaac hefted a Brown Bess.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Houston got it done at San Jacinto because the defenders of the Alamo, disobeying orders to retreat, gave him the time to gather troops.

[risk]

A kind of Thermopylae of the southwest?

[Travis McGee]

I have no naive illusions about the patriotism or lack thereof of the 'rats who would use the Constitution for toilet paper. Their loyalty is to the UN and achieving a world wide socialist super state. That being my understanding of our adversaries, I mean Enemies Foreign and Domestic to be a shot across their bow, fair warning. Their lack of understanding about our dedication and capabilities could cause them to make reckless miscalculations. A dirty civil war is not in the interest of anyone, it would be a national tragedy. My book is meant to head off that outcome by showing the 'rats the kind of explosion they might cause by their actions.

[expat_panama]

There's a lot of debate on that topic. There are those who argue that the Alamo's defenders could have bought more time either by hit and run raids, or by simply joining Houston so he wouldn't have needed as much time.

One thing is for sure though, that remembering the Alamo has certainly given America a tremendous sense of resolute defiance against all odds. A forminable legacy.

[risk]

My book is meant to head off that outcome by showing the 'rats the kind of explosion they might cause by their actions.

In my view, it's a stand for peace through strength. I support that message 100%. Many thanks for making such a stand.

[archy]

Nathan Hale said before he was killed after being caught by the British and accused of spying for the American Revolutionaries, "I regret that I only have one life to give for my country."

We need the spirit of Nathan Hale now more than ever.

Believe me, it's around. But it's now also tempered with the spirit of those Alamo Texians, who made it clear that while the numbers of Mes'kins can overwhelm us, we can make it mighty costly, and take a passel of 'em along with us.

I was once asked in a radio interview what I'd do if presented with a time machine. Why, I'd take a ride in it and visit the period of the Civil War, I answered after just a little thought, an answer not uncommon hereabouts around Memphis I'd reckon. But not to stay for the festivities.

I'd want to have a lengthy chat with a couple of fellas named Nathan Forrest and Pat Cleburne, and spoil the ending for them, depress them with the reality that their labors up to that point had not only been in vain, but that the aftermath would also go badly. And I'd make the offer for them and such of their men so inclined to go instead where they might do some good.

In his youth, Nathan Bedford Forrest was one of those who went to Texas in the fight there for Texan Independence; this time around, he'd get there in time to do some good. And both Cleburne and Forrest had men in their ranks from Texas, men who'd lost family during the fights then just 27 years ago. Might a hundred go along to change the story? A few hundred? A thousand? More? No matter, both Cleburne and Forrest worked miracles whether they had a couple of dozen men, or a couple of hundred. Warn't but a few thousand Mexicans there for the Alamo fight, and with those extras to help out, might be things would be real different. Then and now.

Mr. Bowie, General Forrest. Pleased to meetcha Colonel Crockett; you can call me archy.

[archy]

A kind of Thermopylae of the southwest?

Leonidas, at Thermopylae: Molon Labe- Come and take them [The Spartan's weapons]

Gonzales: Come and take it [The little 4-pounder cannon used by the Texian's of Gonzales to fight off Indian raide, demanded by Mexican troopers, and depicted on the Gonzales flag.]

Gonzales, Feby, 24 1836, To all the Inhabitants of Texas: In a few words there is 2000 Mexican soldiers in Bexar, and 150 Americans in the Alamo. Sesma is at the had of them, and from the best accounts that can be obtained, they intend to show no quarter. If every man cannot turn out to a man every man in the Alamo will be murdered. They have not more than 8 or 10 days provisions. They say they will defend it or die on the gorund. Provisions, ammunition and Men, or you suffere your men to be murdered in the Fort. If you do not turn out Texas is gone. I left Bexar on the 23rd. at 4 P.M. By the Order of W.V. Travis. L. Smithers.

[archy]

A dirty civil war is not in the interest of anyone, it would be a national tragedy.

Guaranteed. The sad question, however, is whether such a dreadful prospect may be preferable to the alternative.

CWII ping.

-archy-/-

[Badray]

"i remember the Alamo"

I did my AIT (Army Advanced Individual Training) at for Sam Houston in San Antonio in 1970. My expectations were the same as yours. I was so surprised by what I found. You can almost walk by it and not even realize what it was.

I certainly hope that Ron Howard doesn't go PC on us.

[Jeff Head]

Amen Travis...the same principle and thought applies to my entire series of novels, The Dragon's Fury Series.

Even if these enemies of liberty are successful in putting together key elements of their ongoing plan...or (what is more likely IMHO) if their foolishness leads towards even more insidious alliances and ouccurances, the morally based liberty we still enjoy to a great extent in this Republic, despite their best efforts, is what will allow us to win out in the end...if we will open our hearts and mind as a people and turn back to it. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Hopefully, it will not take such events to cause us to return to our roots...sadly, it may.

Jeff

[normy]

I remember reading in the Dallas Morning News an article on our state quarter. The gov't decided against the Alamo but decided I think on a star. What a bunch of COWARDS! Some woman who was involved said the reason they did not want to use the Alamo was because it was " more of a San Antonio thing and they wanted all Texans to feel included. What a joke! I have never in my life considered it a "San Antonio thing" that would be Sea World.

[Badray]

You got me all misty-eyed just reading your post.

[clamper1797]

Shoot 'em all, let God sort it out.

We don't need God to help figure out who's the enemy of America. They are usually dressed in black robes

[clamper1797]

Hopefully, it will not take such events to cause us to return to our roots...sadly, it may.

And starting to look more and more inevitable

[risk]

Mr. Bowie, General Forrest. Pleased to meetcha Colonel Crockett; you can call me archy.

I recently had a talk with someone who had earned a purple heart in WWII the old fashioned way; in other words, he almost died from his wounds. We got onto the topic of the Alamo, and he said, "Live to fight another day if you can. But still, every patriot longs to have been there at least once in his life."

If we have just 300 such men today, this republic will survive another 100 years.

[Dawgreg]

Just bleeding heart libs that want to change history and show "diversity". Bull! I'm sick of the whole lot of them. They can only be deterred when we stand firm and fight back! God bless Texas and God bless the Alamo. The courage and blood shed of these men as well as those at Goliad cannot and should not be forgotten. After a recent visit to the San Jacinto battle ground, I felt an renewed pride in my state and a renewed respect for all those who fought and died for the best state in the union!

[risk]

Speaking of alliances, the French were sailing with the mainland Chinese in some excercises yesterday -- clearly intended to intimidate the Taiwanese.

But my mind is still on Gonzalez: http://www.gonzalestexas.com/events/come_&_take_it!.htm

>>> Gonzales became known as "The Lexington of Texas", where the first shot was fired, and where the first Texas Army of Volunteers gathered. A few months after the first shot, men and boys from the region would gather in Gonzales, sending the only reinforcements ever received at the Alamo.

[T Baden]

If I remember correctly from Texas History class in 6th grade (a long, long time ago), the quote we were asked to remember was: "Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat; the Alamo had none." A number of the retro-cavalry/soldiers from Fort Concho here in San Angelo are in the new Alamo movie - their horses are used to gunfire.

[Atlantic Friend]

I've seen that - with some surprise. I first thought that was a Drudge Report. Needless to say, the naval exercise was not much publicized here in France. Even if the French contribution is, to say the least, modest, I find the whole event detestable, given the coming Taiwanese elections.

In and by itself, the naval exercise don't really annoy me. We have recently completed joint air exercises with India, China's rival for regional preeminence, and that does not mean we're about to attack Pakistan. India regularly leads naval exercises with the PLA Navy, too, and even the USA trained Chinese elite troops during the Clinton years. What I can't stomach is the coincidence of the naval exercise and the Taiwanese elections. Someone in our Foreign Ministry should be ousted for it - and why not the current pompous incumbent ?