Years ago when I suggested to a politician the idea of secession, he gave me an interesting response. He claimed that if Texas attempted seceding, that the military forces of Ft. Polk would move into Texas before you knew what hit you. Apparently, the threat of the military forces at Ft. Polk are enough of an intimidation to keep such thinking in check. His response also told me that the military bases throughout the nation are not just there to support the local economies, but are also located in places to ‘keep the peace’. (I always thought that the police were to keep the peace, but what do I know? I guess that if the peace officers do not do their job, the military will step in, like what happened in Waco).
As I study the events of Texas’ admission (aka the hostage taking of Texas), I see some fascinating similarities. General David Twiggs brought 10,000 American troops into Texas prior to the voting for annexation. If the less than 10,000 troops at Ft. Polk intimidates politicians now, what effect did the 10,000 troops have on the politicians and citizens in 1845? Such a large force of armed men is sure to intimidate many people. Elections conducted under intimidation in my mind are not free. For history books to claim they were is an injustice.
Presently I am working on a time line of the events and personalities involved. The annexation of Texas was in actuality an international event, filled with intrigues and plenty of back stabbing and dead commissioners. There were plenty of bribes and secret slush funds supplying secret agents. It was not a cut and dried case of “Texas wanted to join the Union” that the history books portray.
What does this have to do with today? If elections were crooked back in 1845, what makes you think that the evil associated with the empire has lessened, and that they will now have open, free elections when power is at stake. When power is at stake, the power brokers have shown that it is too important to leave to the people and elections.
Free Texas!
J Murrah
annexation of Texas, Culture, David Twiggs, election, Ft Polk, legality of annexation vote, Political Well Being, US troops
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