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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
130
Mr. Houston. I have not examined the remarks in print made by the honorable Senator. The expression to which I have alluded so struck my ear, and I wrnte it down at the time. I believe it was so understood by other Senators, but I have not the memoran- dum with me. Mr. Clemens. If the Senator has the paper he had better refer to it than rely upon his memory. Mr. Houston. As to my recollection on the subject it is very distinct. It was noted at the time by me at my desk, and with extreme feeings of regret, because I believed it would require from me some response; and everything of that character impresses me deeply, because I love concord and harmony, and abhor disunion. 1 :will pass it over and advert to another expression-whether it is contained in the printed speech of the honorable Senator or not, I do not know-but he said that the Union was already dissolved. I trust I may go further, and say that I deny the power of all the ultras on earth to dissolve this Union, or to rend it in twain. I trust that the wisdom of those who have an established and solid interest in the country, will prompt them to rise and· rally to its rescue if it is in danger; and that they will redeem it from all peril, and transmit it to their posterity as a sacred bequest to them as we have received it from our forefathers. Sir, the Union is not dissolved; and I apprehend there will be less danger of it when the people are awakened to the slightest apprehension of real danger. But, has apprehension reached the homes of the people? Have you struck at the remotest verge of this great Union? Have you roused the farmers, the substantial, the solid population? Have they been awakened, or is the feeling imagined to exist from the newspaper publications of the day, or from the proceedings of leading politicians who are preparing to mount this hobby, which they expect will carry them on speedily to the goal of popularity? Are you to deduce the opinions of the American people from these circumstances? Consider for a moment what a large portion of the people are at home unexcited and unagltated on the subject. Do you think that if there be real danger of a disunion, they will not be awakened from their lethargy? Do you think that they will not feel themselves called upon to act by the apprehension of such danger? Then, sir, you will have a sincere expression, when you carry it to the hearths of the farmer, the mechanic, who has every comfort of life around him, acquired by industry, or inherited from patriotic ancestry, under the broad aegis of this Union, and tell him you have now to
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