WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1827
101
ascertain if the application is more apparent there. The gentle- man from Tennessee, however, is one of the master spirits of the party, is initiated in all its mysteries. He can tell if there be any parallel, and if so, how far it runs, where it stops, and whether the calculations of the future will tend to ensure its continuance by the happenings of events." Now, Sir, no gentleman, unless it had been necessary for political effect, could pretend to have un- derstood me, in my allusions to Catiline, as wishing to draw a }Jarallel between his character and that of any member of the Cabinet; but, since the gentleman has called my attention to the subject, and has demanded of me information, it may not be im- proper to indulge him in a passing notice. Who, Sir, was L. Sn·gius Catiline? He was a celebrated Roman, descended of a noble family. By debaucheries and extravagancies he had squan- dered his fortune, and was refused the Consulship. He deter- mined on the ruin of his country; conspired against her libe:rty. The plan which he proposed to pursue was, to extirpate the Sen- ate, pillage the Treasury, and burn Rome. How runs the parallel here? When did General Jackson conspire against his country? Was it in the Creek Nation, where he was destitute of every aid? Or, was it in de~ence of New Orleans? Did not that conspiracy l'-ecure the Mississippi and save the Western States? He did con- spire with half-clothed and half-armed troops; this conspiracy does honor to him and those who were associated with him. Catiline repaired to the Senate Chamber, avowed his design, attempted hls own vindication, and sought to overawe and control the Senate; nor did he abandon this project until his associates were arrested, when he fled to the camp of Manlius. ·whenever did Jackson attempt to intimidate the Senate, or influence its deliberations? Did he ever seek, with his presence, to control its Elections? No. Sir. Have not members of the present Cabinet sought to influence that body, when the election of the President Pro tern. of the Senate occurred in 1826? Was not the present Secretary of State, and other Heads of Department, within the Senate Chamber? Were they not expe!led by the reproaches of Tazewell, 0 a distinguished member of that body'? This, Sir, I understand to be a matter of history. The parallel fails as to Jackson. So to whom, then, will that apply? But, Mr. Speaker, while on the subject of parallels, I beg leave to refer to Clodius. He, too, was of illustrious family, remarkable for his licentious- ness, avarice, and ambition. He was once accused of a misde- meanor, arraigned before the select Judg-es - a body not much
Powered by FlippingBook