Texas history classes teach young minds there have been six flags over Texas. In chronological order, the six are: France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America.
Sandwiched between the eras of the Mexican Flag and the Republic of Texas flag was the unique “COME AND TAKE IT” flag first flown over Gonzales, Texas in 1835.
Texans were on the losing side of the Civil War after which was a nine-year period of time known as ‘Reconstruction’ imposed on the rebel states by two Acts of a Republican-majority Congress. The former rebel states did not gracefully concede defeat. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and the White League paramilitary groups labored to prevent the freedmen from enjoying the benefits of U.S. citizenship.
The bloodiest war in American history began on April 12, 1861 and ended on June 2, 1865. The estimate of total war casualties is a mind-numbing 1,500,000. For every three who died in combat, 5 died of diseases, on average, 30,000 per month.
The history of mankind does not paint a pretty picture. The most widely published and the most scrutinized history book, the Bible, is a replete repository of historical incidences of human decadence, sin, and moral failures. The Bible also records the divine redemption of man through the grace of God. Both sides of human history must be preserved to prepare us to make wise choices in the future.
Battle lines of the Civil War were both spiritual and partisan. If not for the fact of human enslavement on American soil, there would never have been a Republican Party, the genesis of which was the abolition of slavery.
Another, more sinister civil war arises in our beloved America over the issue pro-life Republicans versus pro-abortion Democrats.
Former Democrats like me experienced an epiphany in 1980 that led us to vote Republican thereafter.
The Democratic Party of today is somewhat divided and chiefly influenced by Marxists. Within the ranks of my fellow Republicans, arise the question over how Republican President Trump received more votes than Democrat Barack Obama, yet an addled-minded, corrupt career politician could actually win while avoiding public campaigns.
The Democratic Party knows how to win elections by working together while running on their party platform. Republicans do not appear to understand that the central focus of party leadership must be winning elections by REGISTERING VOTERS, GETTING OUT THE VOTE, and following the REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM.
The republican form of government rests on the principles of self-government ordained by God. As Ronald Reagan wisely said, “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
Texas is a republic, if we can keep it Republican.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 