"The Republic Of Texas Is No More"

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RIP FORD

Part 7: “The Republic Of Texas Is No More”

by Bob Heinonen

Although Texas officially entered the Union with the signing of the annexation act on December 29, 1845, by U.S. President James K. Polk,[i] the reins of government were not transferred until February 19, 1846. John Salmon Ford’s memory of this fateful day in Austin was very vivid:

On the nineteenth day of February, 1846, the seats were taken out of the Representative Hall and Senate Chamber and placed on the long gallery east of the capitol building….Both houses of the Legislature were seated. Hundreds of citizens were in attendance. Many were standing grouped around the point to be occupied by the speakers. There was little conversation---a hush seemingly induced by an effort to stifle emotions difficult to master was prevailing, and noticeable. Many gazed with evident affection at the Lone Star flag which floated from the southern gable of the capitol. President Jones arose and read his valedictory in a clear and serious tone of voice….

[President Jones ended with]..”The final act in this great drama is now performed. The republic of Texas is no more.”

When the last sentence fell from the lips of the earnest speaker, the beloved flag of Texas was unfurled and was lowered, seemingly into the silent shades of the grave. The boom of artillery announced the fact. The glorious banner of our fathers ascended in its stead. All were ready to welcome it, to make a mental vow to stand by it to the death; yet there were feelings none could express. They came as do the pangs which rive the heart when loved ones are snatched from our embrace. A flood of thought like a torrent rushed upon the memory. The scenes of years passed by in review: stricken fields, murdered relatives, toils, privations, victory, came before the mind’s eye apparently in palpable reality. To be severed from these, to bid adieu to the past, to pay the last tribute to the national flag they adored and almost worshipped, was too much to be borne by human nature. Many old pioneers, who had done the duty on the skirmish line of civilization for years and had never flinched in the face of danger and death, were overcome, and tears coursed down sunburnt cheeks where they were almost total strangers. The writer [Ford] will never forget that scene. It was too impressive to be eradicated from the tablets of memory. It was a blending of sorrow for the past, joy for the present, and radiant hope for the future. May God forever bless and perpetuate the union then effected, and which called forth those mingled emotions.”[ii]

With his final words – “The Republic of Texas is no more” – President Anson Jones stepped forward to lower the flag of the Republic of Texas. As he lowered the Lone Star flag, the old flag pole broke in two. Governor J. Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of the State of Texas, delivered his brief address as the United States flag was raised on its new flag pole. The cannons boomed as Anson Jones sat staring at the broken flag pole.[iii]

The Republic of Texas was no more…but that didn’t end her problems with Mexico.

Next Month - Part 8: The Mexican American War

Bob Heinonen is the founder of Texas Heroes and has been portraying Rip Ford since 1993.