99
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1827
the Direct Tax bill, during the session of 1816-1817. In advert- . ing to the war he said : "Have we gained nothing by the war? Let any man look at the degraded condition of this country before the war. The scorn of the universe, the contempt of ourselves; and tell me if we have gained nothing by the war? What is our present condition? Respectability and character abroad - security and confidence at home. If we have not obtained in the opinion of some, the full measure of retribution, our character and constitution are placed on a solid basis, never to be shaken. The glory acquired by our gallant tars- by our Jacksons, and our Browns on the land-Is that nothing? True we had our vicissitudes- that there were humiliating events which the patriot could not review with- out deep regret. But the great account when it came to be balanced, thank God, would be found vastly in our favor. Is there a man [he asked] who would have obliterated fro11i the pages of ou,1· histo1·y, the brilliant achievements of Jackson, B1·own, Scott, and the host of herm:s on land and sea whom he would not enumerate? Is there a man who could not desire a participation in the national glory; which, however, the expressions may be condemned by some, must be cherished by every genuine Patriot. What do I mean by national glory? Glory, such as Hull of the Constitution, Jackson, Lawrence,. and Perry have acquired." These, Sir, were that gentleman's sentiments at one period, and I well remember when the aged mother of the gallant Perry, in destitution and want, deprived of the support of her son, with feebled and palsied hands, implored the House for aid, in 1823- 1824, the honorable Secretary, then on this floor, opposed her petition, and urged with uncommon vehemence, that every man was a hero- a hero, "God knows we have heroes enough." I admit, Sir, we had one too many for his satisfaction. We had a "Military Chieftain"- a hero who lived in the hearts of "the American People. But, Sir, I will proceed to finish the extract: he says "Ancl a1·e gentlemen insensible to thefr deeds- to the value of them in animating the country, in the hours of peril heteciftcr? Did the battle of Thermopylae preserve Greece but once? Whilst the Mississippi continues to bear the tribute of the Iron Mountains and the Allegheny, to her Delta, and the Gulph of Mexico, the eighth of Jcmuary shall be 1·emembered, and the glory of that day
Powered by FlippingBook