WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
218
The whole history of Greece furnished ample lessons of in- struction on this subject. And when Caesar trampled on the liberties of his country, it was because a corrupt and factious Senate had placed the sceptre in his hands, and tendered him the crown. The same thing had been done both in Rome and elsewhere; not because one man was strong enough to conquer the nation, but because the nation made their liberties a foot- stool-encouraged and invited him to place his feet upon their necks. Men never can be conquered so long as the spirit of liberty breathes in their bosoms; but let their Legislature once become corrupt and servile, then the freedom of the people te- comes an easy prey. It is to be hoped that the frequent elec- tions secured by our form of Government may save us from this fruitful source of ruin; but if· the term of our representatives' office were for life, we would be in fearful clanger of sharing the fate which has happened to all republics before us. The process is easy and natural! Laws are first enacted, which trench but a little on the people's liberties-these are suffered to pass. Then other laws are enacted, which go a little further-men begin to find that power is rallying to the strong point, from which f~vors are liberally dispensed. They seek those favors, and thus become gradually corrupted. The corruption which has begun at the centre, flows, by degrees, to the extremities of the State, from whence, by a natural reaction, it re:flows again to the centre, and there settling, it generates a tyrant. Sir, it is thus that tyranny arises-a Senate grows corrupt like that of Rome-men become its members who look with a deep, intense burning in- terest to the possession of power; their constant cry is for power -give us more power-we want rank, and ribbons, and titles, and exclusive privileges! It is such men who bowed their knees to Pompey, hailed triumphant Caesar, and tendered him the sceptre. It is true that Caesar grasped at it; but he never could have clutched it, had there been an upright, honest Leg-islature, faithful to virtue and to Rome. England has had her Cromwell. But why? Because a despot had previously reigned whom con- spiracy had stricken down; and because a Parliament, although the idol of the British people, had become radically corrupt, and, instead of supnorting and purifying the throne, had hurled it to· the ground. Cromwell's hopes were then young: he commenced with th~t lowliness which is ever the policy of young ambition, but Roon he walked. he marched, and, in the end, seized upon a throne. not lower than that of the Autocrat of all the Russias.
j
I ________,,j
Powered by FlippingBook