Remembering The Alamo
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
By Pastor Chuck Baldwin
NewsWithViews.com
March 6 marks the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo back in 1836. For more
than 13 days, 186 brave and determined patriots withstood Santa Anna's
seasoned army of over 4,000 troops. To a man, the defenders of that
mission fort knew they would never leave those ramparts alive. They
had several opportunities to leave and live. Yet, they chose to fight
and die. How foolish they must look to this generation of spoiled Americans.
It
is difficult to recall that stouthearted men such as Davy Crockett (a
nationally known frontiersman and former Congressman), Will Travis (only
23 years old with a little baby at home), and Jim Bowie (a wealthy landowner
with properties on both sides of the Rio Grande) really existed. These
were real men with real dreams and real desires. Real blood flowed through
their veins. They loved their families and enjoyed life as much as any
of us. There was something different about them, however. They possessed
a commitment to liberty that transcended personal safety and comfort.
Liberty
is an easy word to say, but it is a hard word to live up to. Freedom
has little to do with financial gain or personal pleasure. Accompanying
Freedom is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility.
Neither is she an only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters.
They are inseparable; destroy one and all will die.
Early
in the siege, Travis wrote these words to the people of Texas: "Fellow
Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the
Mexicans under Santa Anna. . . . The enemy has demanded a surrender
at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword . .
. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot & our flag still
waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. .
. . VICTORY OR DEATH! P.S. The Lord is on our side. . . ."
As
you read those words, remember that Travis and the others did not have
the A.C.L.U., P.E.T.A., People for the un-American Way, and the National
Education Association telling them how intolerant and narrow-minded
their notions of honor and patriotism were. A hostile media did not
constantly castigate them as a bunch of wild-eyed extremists. As school
children, they were not taught that their forefathers were nothing more
than racist jerks.
The
brave men at the Alamo labored under the belief that America (and Texas)
really was "the land of the free and the home of the brave."
They believed God was on their side and that the freedom of future generations
depended on their courage and resolve. They further believed their posterity
would remember their sacrifice as an act of love and devotion. It all
looks pale now.
By
today's standards, the gallant men of the Alamo appear rather foolish.
After all, they had no chance of winning--none. However, the call for
pragmatism and practicality was never sounded. Instead, they answered
the clarion call, "Victory or death!"
Please
try to remember the heroes of the Alamo as you watch our gutless political
and religious leaders surrender to compromise and political correctness.
Try to recall the time in this country when ordinary men and women had
the courage of their convictions and were willing to sacrifice their
lives for freedom and independence.
One
thing is certain: those courageous champions at the Alamo did not die
for a political party or for some "lesser of two evils" mantra.
They fought and died for a principle, and that principle was liberty
and independence. So did the men at Lexington and Concord. That is our
heritage.
Today,
however, our national leaders are in the process of turning America
over to the very forces that the Alamo defenders gave their lives resisting.
On second thought, do they look foolish, or do we?
Beyond
that, how much longer do we have before it will become necessary for
freedom-loving States such as Texas (and maybe Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming,
New Hampshire, Vermont or South Carolina) to declare their independence
one more time? An argument could be made that Washington, D.C., is considerably
more brutish and tyrannical than old Santa Anna ever was. I'm not so
sure that it isn't already time to again hoist the "Don't Tread
On Me" flags, shout "Remember The Alamo," and renew the
faith and courage of William Travis and Patrick Henry.
*If you enjoyed this column and want to help me distribute these editorial opinions to an ever-growing audience, donations may now be made by credit card, check, or Money Order. Use this link.
Chuck Baldwin is Founder-Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and influence.
Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively, hard-hitting syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications Network called, “Chuck Baldwin Live” This is a daily, one hour long call-in show in which Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a conservative Christian point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com and newspapers.
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For further information please refer to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
