176
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
are, certainly, not responsible for their opinions; and I am un- willing that any irresponsible persons, however high and impos- ing their standing may be, should decide upon rights appertaining to a State. I object to any decision which may be attempted by any powers less than the constitutional powers of this Govern- ment. It is a matter of regret to believe, for one moment, that an attempt has been made, and is now directed by the head of this nation, in opposition to the rights of Texas, and for the purpose of impeding her claims to justice. Can it indeed be true that the recent occurrences in Santa Fe have been instigated by the authorities at Washington, and that the officers of this Govern- ment, there in command, are but carrying out the purposes and designs of the Administration? Everything would seem to indi- cate that there is, at least, no disapprobation of the course which has been pursued by the officer in command at that point; conse- quently, the inference is, that if it has not been directed by the Executive, it is at least sanctioned by his acquiescence. It seems to be in furtherance of the plan suggested by the President, which must be carried out at all hazards, and, if necessary, at the sacri- fice of the rights of a State. It must be consummated; and at what moment is this plan urged upon the American Congress? ls it at a time when there is any probability of its producing peace and harmony, or has it a tendency to allay the excitement which exists in the country-is it calculated to produce any beneficial results to any one section of this vast community; or is it not rather calculated to suspend all action, and leave the agitation unquieted without a remedy? If the commotion now existing in the land is not checked, it will go on, accumulating strength and force with every hour's delay, and give potency only to those who seek prosperity in their country's misfortune. Sir, the high- handed measures which have been carried on under the orders of the Administration, in the expectation that Texas, a younger sister, feeble, rising but recently from all the toils and trials of • revolution, exhausted, emaciated, and surrounded with the diffi- culties that press upon her, is unable to resist the mighty arm of the Government, or that she will succumb to wrong and op- pression, or that, if her voice of remonstrance should be heard at all, it would be heard with apathy and indifference by her sister States of the Union. If this has been the expectation, it is a vain illusion. Texas can not submit to wrong. If this nation has heretofore withheld her rights; if her claims have been deferred for years and she does not at this time command the favorable
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