WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
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issue a summary process for my apprehension, and it was openly maintained that my conduct most ~·ichly deserved punishment. I submitted. I made no resistance to that process. I submitted, and shall ever submit, to the decisions of this House. Yet it has been deemed not sufficient to rely on the constitution, and on privileges never granted by the constitution, b.ut even the per- sonal feelings of members have been appealed to-the very bond of sociability has been called in aid of this attempt against the liberty of the American citizen. If it had been determined to try me for my alleged offence; why appeal to personal feeling, but to induce the House to act under the influence of partiality, and sacrifice its duty, the law, and the constitution, to merely per- sonal consideration. And what effect was all this to produce in our land? To dis- train the American citizen of his liberty-to prostrate him by power and influence, unknown to the laws of this country. Thus public liberty is assailed, in the person of an individual, and, in prostrating him, a principle will be destroyed, which is the great safeguard of American liberty. Sir, the time was, when the name of Roman citizen was known throughout the world as the protection of him that bore it. Italy was then the seat of liberty; there she shone like the sun in his brightness, and her rays darted themselves to the remotest ends of the earth. It was a noble example, and we should do well to profit by it. In consequence of the decision of gentlemen, the rectitude of whose motives I am far from arraigning, I am brought before you as an accused man, and placed to respond in my own behalf before this high tribunal. However novel such an attitude may be to me, it may the better be endured, since it is a great prin- ciple that I contend for. It is not my rights alone, but the rights of millions that are involved. Need I state this here? Who can be so wise to know, or who can have the same incentives to pre- serve the .iust and unalienable rights of an American citizen, as the high court I now address? American citizen! It is a sacred name! Its sanctity attaches itself alike to his person, whether he journeys over the scorching sands of Florida, or wanders in the deepest forests of our Northern frontier; throughout the republic. or in his native State; in the bosom of civilization, or in the wildness of savage life: still he is an American citizen. I do not suspect the motives of gentlemen: I should not deserve justice at their hands if I could:. I am very sure they will feel
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