The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume V

189

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1850

rescue, determined to vindicate her honor? It will be a conflict then a sovereign State contending for her rights and privileges on the one hand, whilst military usurpation and sovereign power will be struggling to defeat her rights, and crush her spirit, on the other. This can not be done; but the very apprehension of such a course as the one contemplated by the Executive, is fraught with calamity and distress to the country. No one acts without a motive; and it is fair to suppose that the object which is aimed at is a continuance of the present men in power by a re-election of the present Executive. As one of the signs mani- fest, I discover in the letter of Hugh N. Smith, when urging New Mexico to adopt a State Constitution, that votes, votes are wa.nted here to secure influence, and consequently, if New Mexico is admitted, it will increase the States in the Presidential election. Sir, the horse is already upon the track; already has the adminis- tration organ announced General Taylor as a candidate for re-election. Why, sir, what sort of conduct is this on the part of the Administration; which should be alive to everything calculated to harmonize the country. Even the high object of the Presidential office, when brought into the scale against the Union, peace, and prosperity of more than twenty-millions of freemen, should be placed beneath the heel of all honorable patriots; yet this additional cause of excitement ·is at this moment brought forward to increase the confusion now prevailing. But I have hope that Senators will come up to the present crisis and look it in the face, regarding its proper settlement as the means of restoring harmony and advancing the prosperity of the country. I ask you, sir, where is there a portion of the earth so prosperous and so happy as the country which we represent? All the ele- ments of human felicity and glory are in possession of the Ameri- can people. It is true, a portion of the State from which I come is unfortunately subject to incursions from marauding Indian tribes, and I am fearful that the proceedings at Santa Fe will be calculated to increase the hostility of the Indians, and add to the calamities of our frontier; 'tis true that more than seven hundred infantry have been ordered into Texas; such troops may perform garrison duty, but against the Indians they must be inefficient. Cavalry, or well-mounted rangers, are the only description of troops that can be useful against Indians. I hope the design, in ordering these troops to Texas, is not to prevent her from any practical inte1·ference w-ith the possess-ion of the United Sta.tes. If it is really intended for the protection of the frontier, and not

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