Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/151

 Their wilful acts for once will be condoned, Their grievances relieved, their rights ensured. And would our clemency and kind forbearance Not be interpreted as fear and weakness? Or can the dignity of our Republic Afford to be insulted by a band Of most ungrateful foreigners to whom We gave the benefit of settling here? Revenge is low in Man as well as State. 'Tis justice to restrain the bad by force. 'Tis useful oft to overlook a fault. 'Tis wiser oft to kill an evil's germ. 'Tis more humane to cure it than to kill it. What warrants their obedience in the future? Its guaranty should rather come from you.