WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 12~6
33
the galling yoke of a despicable tyranny, and proclaiming to the world that they would be free, in imitation of the United States? Shall we send teachers amongst them to infuse our doctrines, and incu!cate our political principles, amongst them? This, Mr. H. said·, was not the way for South America to be free. Unless she wills to be free she never can be so. We might send our teachers to every city, and every village, and establish political colleges throughout South America; but, she cannot be free unless she wills it. If she can derive any advantage from the example we set her let her do so; our ports are open, our houses our towns, and our assemblies, are all open. Let her citizens come here, and if we disseminate amongst them, let them return to their fellow- citizens - let them describe the institutions we have in this country and tell them, "Go, ye, and do likewise." This is the way, Mr. H. said that South America is to be benefitted by the United States. This will benefit her institutions: if she sends her en- lightened citizens amongst us, if she will have our Constitution and our laws translated into her own language, this wi!l infuse energy into her Government, and sustain her politics and her arms, so far as is necessary for her service. This is the way South America is to be benefitted, and in which our principles are to operate on her People. It is not by physical influence that we can benefit them; but it is the moral influence that pervades this country which they must become acquainted with. They must learn it amongst us and carry to their own country the knowledge of it. We are told, Mr. H. said, by the gentleman from Louisiana, that now is the accepted time, and now is the only time, that we ought to act on this subject. Would the determination of this House to call for information, expedite the determination of any other branch of the Government, so far as they are concerned? Would it determine them to send Ministers one moment sooner or later· than they would otherwise do? If they would. he should think it a menace towa~·ds any department of the Gove1;nment, that this House should anticipate the regularity of their proceed- ings and deliberations, and say to them, you shall act! He thought such an intimation unbecoming the dignity of this House, and an infringement on the other Departments of Government, ·which ought never to be tolerated, whilst they deliberated as the Repre- sentatives of a free, honest, and enlightened People. He should not support the call, for this reason, amongst others.
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