,WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1826
51
Mr. Chairman, if Massachusetts had, with a proper feeling of what was due to herself and the country, acted as the exigencies of the times demanded from her, as a leading State in this Con- federacy, I would freely vote _for remuneration. My language would be, pay this debt, if it swept the last dollar from our treas- ury. If the claim is just, it ought, of right to be, and must be paid. But the services for which we are asked to pay, were not rendered in accordance with the Constitution, and those which were rendered were inefficient, and comparatively of no value. Governor Eustis tells you that, at this day, nineteen-twentieths of the People of Massachusetts condemn the opposition of that State during the late war, as unconstitutional, and as disloyal. And are you going to pay a claim which grows out of principles in direct oppugnancy to those contained in the Constitution? Mr. Chairman, what is the motive of ·so great a change in the sentiment as that expressed in the message of Governor Eustis? I will not say that it is the love of gain and lucre. I had rather believe that it is an honest revolution in public feeling, and that should another crisis arise, the People of Massachusetts would join the country and support the Government in asserting and defending the rights of both. But this is no argument that Con- gress must pay them for their good determinations in advance. The People of Massachusetts, like the People of any other State, can claim from this Government only what they have deserved. But we are told that many of these militia were ardent patriots and good democrats. Sir, I stand here to do justice and not to distribute alms. My resistance to this claim is a matter of prin- ciple, and, unless I can be convinced that the claim itself is just, I never can allow it to the claimants, whosoever they may be. We have been told that the officers, in particular, were sterling democrats. Sir, it may have been so. I certainly have no objec- tions to the fact, but justice is to be done alike to the Federalist and the democrat. I wish to do the Federalist justice. When that great distinction arose of the federalist and democrat, I was pot in existence. But this I will say, that when danger lowering, and many around began to express nothing but despair, I ha\'e seen federalists buckle on their armor and march fearlessly to meet the foe. It is not to the name I object, nor is it to the men: I object to the course which they pursue. I judge both federalists and democrats by their deeds alone. Show me a man who, by profession, is a democrat, and who at heart is in favor of aristocratical principles- who is a democrat merely because the
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