WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1332
213
were made capital. Draco determined that, for a small offence, a citizen deserved death; and, as nothing more than death could be implicated for the greatest, the punishment of all crimes be- came equal. If this body will publish its privileges, and graduate its punishments, then we shall know what to fear, and how to avoid transgression. Caligula enacted laws: they were not for the purpose of regulating his subjects, but of entrapping them. He might as well not have exerted his legislative power, but left his action solely to the government of his wanton caprice. But he was adjudged a tyrant and a monster for punishing men for transgressing a law which they could not know. For it is the conscience and motive of men which alone give turpitude to their actions .. The ground has been assumed by some gentlemen, that, if tha House neglected to punish in such a case as the present, its legis- lation might be exposed to danger; that companies might be or- ganized-conspiracies formed-and mobs collected, and thus tr.e measures of the House be effectually controlled. Sir, I must enter my protest against the application of any such argument to myself. lVIy disposition has never been factious, my conduct obstreperous, nor my feelings malignant. It is said that honor- able gentlemen must be protected. I grant it. I would fall in the first ditch when their persons were assailed. I would be the last to entrench myself behind it. I feel that, as a patriot, it would be my greatest glory to defend their privileges as sacred: but let it not be forgotten that the citizen, however obscure, and however ruined in fortune, has privileges too. It is his privilege to earn and to wear an honest name-to deserve and to enjoy a spotless reputation. This is the proudest ornament that any man can wear, and it is one that every American citizen ought to press tenderly to his heart; nor should his arm ever hang nerveless by his side when this sacred, brightest jewel is assailed. When a member of this House, entrenched in his privilege, brand5 a private citizen, in the face of the whole nation, as a fraudulent villain, he forgets the dignity of his station, and renders him- self answerable to the party aggrieved. Are honorable gentl~- men to send abroad their calumnies unquestioned? Are they to use the privilege which they have received from the citizens of this country as a means to injure the citizens? If gentlemen dis- regard the ordinary rules of decorum, and use, in their place, language injurious to individuals, can they expect to be protected
Powered by FlippingBook