WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
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of men who had disclaimed the truth of their own declarations -names of which I need not say much. I am not curious to speculate much on the affidavit which has been produced to the House--a matter which, in its origin, for the honor of all concerned, had better been left to sleep in ob- livion-a matter conceived in malice, matured in corruption and perjury, and introduced here in a manner most mysterious. He who made the affidavit instantly fled. I trust he may be the scape- goat who will bear the sins of his association in this transaction to the wilderness. It would be unnecessary for me to dwell longer on the subject of this affidavit-the time at which it was ob- tained-the circumstances which preceded, attended, and those which followed it. When the individual sought to insinuate him- self into my favor, after having previously injured me, when he sought my forgiveness for past offences, I forgave him gener- ously: and this is the requital! Mr. Speaker, I cannot be insensible to the situation I occupy before this honorable court-a situation well calculated to in- spire alarm and solicitude on my part. In the nature of the ac- cusation, there is matter cognizable in the courts of the country. I am arraigned here for the offence of having redressed a per- sonal wrong. I am charged with not having respected the rights of this House; yet I am not allowed the judgment of my peers. I can claim no equality with the honorable members of this House, whom I see around me. Their station has raised them far above me. I am only a private citizen. Thus situated, ,vho are to be my judges? Those who form a party to this accusation. How unequal the contest! and how hopeless must innocence itself be, if such a court were pleased to demand a victim! I know there is no such purpose here. The honor as well as the integrity of gentlemen would withhold them from it. But, behold the in- fluence which may be exerted against me! I see no judge upon the bench, with power to instruct the jury as to the law of the case; I see no accuser, and no accused, standing side by side be- fore that judge! I am arraigned before a court which is stand- ing on its own privileges-which arraigns me in its own case. And thus situated, I am tried for the commission of a most flagrant crime--for insulting the whole American people, in the person of one of the members of this body. Yet I have vio- lated no law, I have transgressed no precept known to the people of this land. If I have violated any privilege, that privilege must
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