WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1831-1832
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themselves elevated far above the influence of every sinister consideration. So believing, it will give me pleasure to endure their will; and I should be proud to be even their victim, rather than admit the belief that they can be actuated by any base or unworthy motive. I might refer to other matters which are on my mind, and which press for utterance. But I shall indulge in no feelings on an occasion like the present. And should any unguarded expression have fallen from me, I can assure gentle- men it has fallen without design. The members of this court must be aware that many individuals have calculated on the op- portunity of humiliating me, could their measures be sanctioned by the public. But I feel proudly confident that nothing which trenches on the right, that every man born in this land possesses, to a fair and open trial, can ever be sanctioned by the people. I have had the misfortune to see a witness brought here in be- half of the accused, insulted upon the stand-insulted, where he was entitled to expect protection from this House. I have further seen the counsel who conducted my defence treated with personal disrespect. A gentleman whose bland and amiable manners should at least have shielded him from every thing like rudeness or indignity. A gentleman whose intelligence raises him to a dis- tinguished eminence in society, and the fruits of whose genius will be a proud legacy to posterity. He was entitled, as it seems to me, especially when engaged in behalf of an accused man, to respectful consideration and gentlemanly treatment. How far the course pursued towards him was of this description, I leave it for the court to decide. But this was not the only re- markable thing in the course of the present trial. In a court of justice, I had ever been taught to believe that the person of an individual accused, whatever might have been his alleged of- fence, was held to be under protection; that he was shielded by the dignity and authority of the tribunal from obloquy and abuse, and protected from all violence, whether by speech or action. It is admitted that counsel may animadvert with severity upon his conduct, and enlarge upon his guilt. But there is a decorum which usually governs the style of a prosecutor, howeversomuch heated he may be by his subject. The power of public opinion, if nothing else, is sufficient to restrain him, and to correct all im- propriety of language. He has reason to fear the correction of an indignant people, whenever he is tempted to heap insult upon those in bonds. But while standing at this bar, have I not been
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