580
TEX.\S STATE LJBR.\RY
of nature: no relish for the deeds of chivalry; no gratitude for the blessings of Providence. In meeting yon again, gentlemen of the Senate, in my official ca- pacity, permit me to congratulate you on the tranquility tllat pre- vails in the country, and the cheering prospects of its 10111? contin- uance. The storms of war have rolled to the caverns of the '\Yest, and the day-star of peace is beaming in our political horizon. It is true that the enemy who- sought to conquer and then to massacre our penceful citizens, is still breathing against us the language of mur- der and extermination; but it is obvious from the distracted and bankmpt condition of hie; affairs at home, as 11·ell as the known indis- position of his mercenary hirelings again to face our heroic and de- termined freemen, leaves him without the means and ability of at- tempting the execution of his cruel and sanguinary threats. "\Yell may we be thankful to the God of battles that our arms have been crowned with glorious triumph l \Veil may we rejoice that we have been enabled to prove our right to freedom by the best of all eal'thly titles-the heart to proclaim, and the hand to maintain it! A_nd well may we be proud to see our national standard float side by side in the breeze with the Star-spangled banner of the father land! But amidst the indulgence of a jnst exultation, let it still be remembered that the hour· of victory is not always the honr of safety. Success too often begets presumptious confidence, or leads to incau- tious repose and a false security. An enemy may be base and pusil- lanimous, yet vigilant and vindicative. He may not have the neces- sary courage for equitable nnd honorable war, yet ever on the alert for some advantage, he may avail himself of an opportunity to deal an une..xpecte<l blow upon a supine and unguarded adversary. In this ,ray villainy may triumph over valor, and we may lose by the want of vigilance, all that we gain by intrepidity. · The character of 011r foe leaves us nothing to expect from his honor, and every thing to avprehend when circumstances will allow him to strike with safety to himself. Let us guanl well then, that no advantage 11ccrnc to him by rcarnn of any default or remissneRs of ours. Let us be wary in the midst of triumph; let us be prepared for every 11ossible contingency, and above all let us be united in our councils, and • have but one heart in the day of danger. By preserving unanimity, and prepal'ing timely for anticipated difficulties we have nothing to fear from the enemy come when he may. Vve have only to receive him with pleasure and punish his presumption with promptness. Safety against military invasion however, will he far from forming an exclusive object of attention. 1'hc improvement of the civil or- ganization and condition -of the country, must nccessarilr claim a large share of your most serious and eamest consideration. Of all the sciences, none pre so comprchcusivc and important, and nt the same time more ahstrusc nnd undefined than that of governmeut; yet if we clo but avail ourselves of its providential aclvautng-c.'>, the his- tory of the world pre~cnts no pC1·iod so auspicious as the present for the adoption of a system which ishall give permnncnt security to the rights of man• whilst no country 011 enrth, when we eo11.~idcr its natural ndvont;ges and attractions, as well ns th~ lofty nnd chimlric character of its inhabitants, is more deserving than ours of the bless-
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