Austin State Gazette , December 29, 1860
EDITOR GAZETTE:–I love Texas–it is my home; I love her breezes, I love her flowers, I love her people. When I look back to the time when Texas was young, and remember the “days that tried men’s souls,” I can fully realize the agony she felt, when, straggling with a sparse and scattered population, to throw off the yoke that bound her. At one time I felt hard that the old Texans should discriminate between those that adopted her soil as their own, in favor of her own honored land. I thought she should have welcomed us with open hands and open hearts, since we had come to her, to make their homes our homes, their land our land, their people our people; and if good or evil came upon us, we would share their woes in common. But when I learned their history, and found the dark and stormy times that did surround them in their troubles, when I learned, as one man they stood together, and battled against a powerful foe, and learned that side by side, they laid together, upon the tented field, looking calmly and firmly, when the nightshades came upon them—at the stars, that shone in the Heavens, and felt that He smiled upon them through those little windows, my heart was with them.
I can now fully excuse all that I once though unkind, when I read of their trials and sufferings, and now know, how each heart answered to another, and how each strong arm was nerved to defend one another, the [illegible] comforts that surrounded them, were shared mutually. Knowing all this, how can I think that there is a single Texian now living who feels the patriotism, that then throbbed in his bosom, but will come now to the rescue. You were once in trouble, stout hearts, and strong arms came to your support, and will you turn over into the hands of northern fanatics—a blind and bigoted people—this fair land. Never! never! The scenes you once witnessed, the troubles you once felt, lead you to cry for freedom without control. The Lone Star banner that once floated above you, flung out its beams, which reached the hearts of your kindred in other lands, must again flutter in the breeze, and receive the adulation, that I know rests, but does not sleep, in your warm, patriotic hearts. I am but a woman, yet shall I not love my country, and love my home. A woman loves her household gods as warmly as men. She loves those that are ready to stand by her, ready and willing to protect her. I do not wish to create in your minds any foolish fear. I only wish to say, be prepared for any emergency. Look for a moment at the spectacle now presented us from our bleeding frontier. Do you think that the depredations there committed are only the offspring of the fiendish Indians that swarm upon our borders? Do you think there is no incentive beyond their hope of livelihood which prompts them to these deeds of darkness? Do you think that the incendiary’s torch, kindled in our towns, villages and country homes, are purely accidental? Singular it is that all should have occurred within a few months. I would ask the most conservative, the most Union-loving man: “Stop and ponder upon these events; go and tell your wife and little ones that look to you for protection, help, and sustenance, and say it is all an idle speculation,” and answer in your conscience to y our God. I know that there are yet men enough, and true enough, to look upon these things as they really exist.
VOLUMNIA.
Austin, Dec. 16.