All they could do?

By Jim Terry

Every Texan knows, and most Americans know the story of a small group of heroes who waged a battle on principle. These principled men did everything they could do to stop the enemy- even unto their deaths.

For thirteen days, a group of approximately 200 men held off a Mexican army estimated to be at least 4,000, and possibly 6,000 strong. This army was led by Mexican dictator and tyrant, Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón.

The day after the Mexican siege began on the small mission in what is the city of San Antonio today, the commander of the defending forces, William Barrett Travis, wrote the following letter:

Commandancy of The Alamo

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World –

Fellow Citizens & compatriots –

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna – I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man – The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken – I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls – I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch – The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country – Victory or Death.

William Barrett Travis.
Lt. Col. comdt.

P. S. The Lord is on our side – When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn – We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

For a few days- sixteen- in October 2013, a rag-tag army of Republicans held off an army of Washington liberals and the liberal media over a principle-stopping ObamaCommucare by attempting to remove funding for this "train wreck."

Most current Republican members of congress ran on and were elected on the proposition that once there they would vote to repeal ObamaCommucare. Their voters believed them. The 2012 GOP platform called for the repeal of ObamaCommucare and stated, "Congressional Republicans are committed to its repeal." Their voters believed them.

Now, the same politicians, such as Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) say they have voted on every opportunity presented to repeal ObamaCommucare. Yet, unlike those defenders of The Alamo, who not only fought a good fight, but did everything they could do, Republicans didn't do everything they could do to defeat the tyranny of ObamaCommucare.

Travis, in his letter, "To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World – Fellow Citizens & compatriots," warned them of the consequences of their failure to respond, called them to arms and plead for help.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, while no Travis, in his twenty one hour filibuster warned the people of Texas and all Americans in the world and fellow citizens and compatriots the consequences of not stopping the tyranny of ObamaCommucare and called them to arms to join in the fight to stop this abomination. They responded by the millions. But, as Cruz has said, "Washington didn't listen."

Although no Republican voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Act, aka ObamaCommucare, since Republicans did not do everything they could to defeat this tyranny when they had the opportunity, they now also own ObamaCommucare.

An Alamo moment has come and gone, this time in surrender. We are blessed the defenders of The Alamo were not Republican politicians. Had they been, I probably would be living in el estado de Tejas today.

© Jim Terry