I cannot let the month of March get away without reminding my
readers of the magnificent stand by the defenders of The Alamo
back in 1836. The Alamo fell on March 6 of that year. For more
than 13 days, 186 brave and determined patriots withstood Santa
Anna's seasoned army of over 5,000 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,
Will Travis, and Jim Bowie 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 (Travis was only
23 years old) 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 his 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 seem 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 listen to our
gutless political and religious leaders calling for appeasement,
compromise, and tolerance. 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 on the altar of
freedom.

One thing is certain: those courageous champions did not die for a
political party or for some "lesser of two evils" mantra! They
fought and died for a principle. So did the men at Lexington and
Concord. That is our history. On second thought, do they look
foolish, or do we?

© 2004 Chuck Baldwin
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com