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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
Sir, who were they, and how were they appointed? But one State gave anything like an embodiment of sentiment in favor of the Nashville Convention. In Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the Legislatures took the matter in hand. In Mississippi they had a meeting at Jackson, in October, 1849, which appointed delegates to attend the Nashville Convention. Those delegates were understood as properly appointed. What did they do? T'he Legislature met. They had previously excluded from their con- vention the idea that the admission of California should be made an issue between the North and the South, because it was under- stood that California had every reason in the world to form a government and apply for admission as a State. But sub- sequently, I believe, adding to the conditions; for, whenever one was apparently acceded to, some extra condition was added, so as to render reconcilement impracticable. Well, the Legislature met. They had to reappoint delegates, or to appoint new ones; and for what purpose? Because the people did not understand it; and therefore their representatives, in their wisdom, must take upon themselves the responsibility of acting for the people. This was one of the most prudential steps that could have been taken, for the people cared nothing at all about the matter. This has never reached the vitals of the community. But it enabled individuals to go to Nashville, and there to attempt to dictate to Congress, in violation of the principles laid down by Washington and other illustrious statesmen, that all efforts made to awe the legislation of the nation were contrary to good government and the principles that should ever actuate Americans. But this Convention was intended for that purpose, and for none other, or they would not have attempted to remain by adjournment, as a body, and hold up their future action in terrorem over Congress. Well, sir, it was with some degree of delight that the repre- sentative of Texas~ on that occasion-and he was a distinguished personage, who received about one hundred and forty votes out of some sixteen or eighteen thousand-in a fine display of rhetoric, that entertained an enlightened and accomplished audience, declared that he represented "the bone and sinew of Texas." One hundi·ed and forty votes "the bone and sinew of Texas"! Really, I thought she was better off. I thought she was better hitched together than that. [Laughter.] I thought she had more vitality about her. I thought she had muscles and blood about her. But he was only a partial representative at
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