Presidential Leadership Lessons is a podcast hosted by Tom Fox. This continues a four-part series on leadership lessons not from US Presidents but from Presidents from the Republic of Texas, from 1836 to 1845. In this series, Tom is joined by Don Frazier, head of the Texas Center at Schreiner University in Kerrville TX to discuss the four Presidents who ledTexas when it was a country. In this third episode, Tom and Don discuss Mirabeau B. Lamar.
They delve into the life of Mirabeau B. Lamar and his political journey. Lamar was the second fully elected president of the Republic of Texas and was known for a battlefield promotion from private to colonel. During his presidency, Lamar carried out policies for the purpose of a stand-alone Texas and moved the capital from Houston to a more remote location, which is now Austin. Don also shares the origin story of the Wichita people, who were immigrants from the Kansas region. Additionally, as President, Lamar faced financial turmoil while in office due to the need to reconstitute an army and navy, as well as leasing boats to the Yucatan. Lastly, Don also speaks of the battle of Salado, where many Texans were killed.
Key Highlights
The Impact of Lone Star State Policies in Texas [04:39]
The Benefits of Moving the Texas Capital and Establishing the Texas State Library [08:59]
Origins and Cultural Impact of the Wichita People [13:15]
The Impact of Financial Mismanagement on the Lamar Administration in the Republic of Texas [17:49]
Trade Mission to Santa Fe [00:22:04]
Texas History: The Battle of Salado and the Dawson Massacre [00:25:52]
Notable Quotes
1. He’s a pretty reckless dude on that day on the twentieth of April when they’re in that cavalry scrap with the Mexican cavalry, which was really the strong arm of the Mexican Army. You have to give him props for being tough but also with a tender heart, an interesting day.
2. He’s an egghead with a keen sword and it makes sense. You know, 1 of the issues too that the Republic has is it’s an accidental republic. When they start looking for talent, they pretty much say, well, you’ll do because these are all place holders.
3. All the other tribes in Texas came from someplace else, and people oftentimes don’t realize how dynamic and how mobile these different nations actually were, especially after contacting the introduction of things like the horse and the diseases that ravaged their societies.
4. Lamar’s administration puts together a trade mission with military escort, but they don’t have a good map.
Resources:
Don Frazier, Director The Texas Center
