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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
Sir, I have often heard of crises coming. This may be one. I recollect well when clouds have passed over this country, and despondency ruled the proudest and manliest hearts. I have seen dejection in many faces; but I have seen the country triumphant and exulting again. I was young at the time, but I remember the Missouri question. I knew then the agitations of the country; but the masses were not moved by them. There were no mighty upheavings, because the sacred work of their country was not wrecked; the Constitution remained. Congress remained. The people's representatives served in the discharge of their duty. Well, sir, if this is a crisis, do we look ahead? Do we look at the patriotism; do we look at the energy; do we look at every ennobling virtue that our fathers cherished in other times, that we cannot come forward, in a crisis like this, and, acting as men in the harvest, gather into the granery of our nation the-glory which surrounds it? Mr. President, I feel fully confident that, if these measures should pass the Congress of the United States, and should be ratified by the Executive, as the wires carry the news to distant points, and as the intelligence is diffused by the journals of the day throughout the entire land, joy and happiness, and exultation will animate every heart, and even private afflictions will be for- gotten in the general rejoicing. I apprehend no difficulty. Your Nashville Conventions will die away. The food of agitation will be taken away, discord will be destroyed, and healthful and vigorous existence will be seen throughout our land. If we are men, let us march up and meet it. It is not for ourselves. A few short years, and we shall have passed away. The present will be forgotten in the realization of the future. Then others will take our places. Let us not forget the blessings which we have in- herited and enjoyed. We may have contributed something to their perpetuation, and let us transmit to our posterity the same glorious institutions which we have inherited from our fore- fathers; and, when the evil day shall come to them in the visitation of Providence, they can say "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Let us meet the difficulties which have come upon us like men, and dispose of them in such a way, that if our posterity should ever raise their hands against their brethren in another section, they may not be able to say, "Our fathers entailed this upon us." No; let us leave them a heritage which freemen should ·aesire and enjoy. What higher destiny could await them? What higher privileges have been accorded to them on earth'! And are
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