Re: The Alamo

Posted by Rich on March 04, 1999 at 12:31:50:

In Reply to: Re: The Alamo posted by Pat on March 04, 1999 at 11:49:33:

:
: Rich said:
: : One can argue the rights & wrongs of the Texas War For Independence ... certainly there are 2 sides to the story ... one cannot deny these men their bravery!

: Rich,
: I must disagree a bit with your statement (friendly like). First, I studied a semester on the history of Mexico and am now less inclined to agree with revisionist historians who emphasize the slaveholders, land-grabbers and riff-raff while ignoring Mexico's faults.

Absolutely, Pat, I wholeheartedly agree. If you're ever on my Against All Odds site, on the books to read section, I partially put down a book for espousing that very revisionist attitude. I was just trying to point out that there are two sides to every story.

:Mexico has a long history of corruption in government. Mexico treated many of its citizens in Texas badly (no matter what their origin). Had the Mexican government not behaved so arrogantly and over-reacted, the War for Independence might never have happened.

Here's a perfect example. There were Texans who were trying to grab as much land, Mexican land, as possible. People who had no intention of living by Mexican law. Remember, these settlers were invited to Mexico, under the 1824 Constitution, to live as Mexicans, and that included converting to Catholicism. Considering this, it could be understandable why the Mexican Government felt it necessary to put down the Rebellion. Very similar, in some ways, to the American Revolution against England. Every story, two sides. Now, saying that does NOT mean I condone the actions of one Santa Anna. I don't.

:It wasn't until after the Alamo that Houston raised his army.

It would be more accurate to say that he wasn't SUCCESSFUL in raising an Army until after the fall of the Alamo.

: There is riff-raff everywhere (as we recently learned).

Good Point! :)

:Slavery is wicked, but this was 1836. How many abolitionists were around to drive home the point. Can't expect folks who have not been shown the light to share our point of view.

Another point well taken.

:Some well-know Texas heroes were land-grabbers. They treated people of Mexican heritage badly and a band of Southern Cherokees VERY badly. But most Texans were looking for a place where they could improve their lot in life. (They probably drooled over the homes in Southern Living like we do - ok maybe not, but the same idea).

Yes, but my point was only that in the John Wayne version of the story, EVERY defender was a knight in shining armor. Not so. That was as much revisionism as the book, "Duel of Eagles."

: Secondly, I must argue with you because I had a relative (not an ancestor) at San Jacinto named Sam Houston. So, it's my duty to celebrate March 6th and uphold a certain point of view.

Ahh, there is nothing to argue here, that's what I was urging everyone to do! Remember The Alamo! Remember Goliad! I think the saga of The Alamo is one of the most heroic tales one can tell!

Pat, are you going to wear your coonskin cap to The Gathering???? And, have you ever seen the film on Sam Houston starring Sam Elliott?

Follow Ups:

• Re: The Alamo Pat 16:41:22 3/04/99 (4)
  • Re: The Alamo Champ 17:26:31 3/04/99 (0)
  • Re: The Alamo Rich 16:59:50 3/04/99 (2)
    • Re: The Alamo Terry 16:11:08 3/07/99 (1)
      • Re: The Alamo Champ 17:52:32 3/07/99 (0)

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Comments:
: : 
: : Rich said:
: : : One can argue the rights & wrongs of the Texas War For Independence ... certainly there are 2 sides to the story ... one cannot deny these men their bravery!

: : Rich,
: : I must disagree a bit with your statement (friendly like).  First, I studied a semester on the history of Mexico and am now less inclined to agree with revisionist historians who emphasize the slaveholders, land-grabbers and riff-raff while ignoring Mexico's faults. 

: Absolutely, Pat, I wholeheartedly agree. If you're ever on my Against All Odds site, on the books to read section, I partially put down a book for espousing that very revisionist attitude. I was just trying to point out that there are two sides to every story.

: :Mexico has a long history of corruption in government.  Mexico treated many of its citizens in Texas badly (no matter what their origin).  Had the Mexican government not behaved so arrogantly and over-reacted, the War for Independence might never have happened.

: Here's a perfect example. There were Texans who were trying to grab as much land, Mexican land, as possible. People who had no intention of living by Mexican law. Remember, these settlers were invited to Mexico, under the 1824 Constitution, to live as Mexicans, and that included converting to Catholicism. Considering this, it could be understandable why the Mexican Government felt it necessary to put down the Rebellion. Very similar, in some ways, to the American Revolution against England. Every story, two sides. Now, saying that does NOT mean I condone the actions of one Santa Anna. I don't. 

: :It wasn't until after the Alamo that Houston raised his army.

: It would be more accurate to say that he wasn't SUCCESSFUL in raising an Army until after the fall of the Alamo.

: : There is riff-raff everywhere (as we recently learned).

: Good Point! :)

: :Slavery is wicked, but this was 1836.  How many abolitionists were around to drive home the point.  Can't expect folks who have not been shown the light to share our point of view.

: Another point well taken.

: :Some well-know Texas heroes were land-grabbers.  They treated people of Mexican heritage  badly and a band of Southern Cherokees VERY badly.  But most Texans were looking for a place where they could improve their lot in life.  (They probably drooled over the homes in Southern Living like we do - ok maybe not, but the same idea).

: Yes, but my point was only that in the John Wayne version of the story, EVERY defender was a knight in shining armor. Not so. That was as much revisionism as the book, "Duel of Eagles."
:  
: : Secondly, I must argue with you because I had a relative (not an ancestor) at San Jacinto named Sam Houston.  So, it's my duty to celebrate March 6th and uphold a certain point of view.

: Ahh, there is nothing to argue here, that's what I was urging everyone to do! Remember The Alamo! Remember Goliad! I think the saga of The Alamo is one of the most heroic tales one can tell!

: Pat, are you going to wear your coonskin cap to The Gathering???? And, have you ever seen the film on Sam Houston starring Sam Elliott?




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