WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1850
233
Union, and did not expose it, I should be as culpable as the parties engaged in the crime. I did not expect to make any extended remarks when I rose, but I can assure the gentleman that he will never find me doing aught to tarnish the character or endanger the peace of the Union, however I may differ with any majority as to any general ques- tion of public policy. I vote on some occasions with the majority, and on others with the minority. When I vote with the minority, I submit to the will of the majority; and when I vote with the majority, I always am actuated by the same identical devotion to the Union as when I vote with the minority. The minority, if I understand the principles of this Government, is to submit to the action of the majority; and if the majority is in favor of a particular measure, and a respectable minority is opposed to it, although the measure may be wrong, yet, if carried by a majority, I cannot conceive that it is criminal nor culpable to submit. If the minority is small, and they use the ordinary means prescribed in deliberative assemblies, and are voted down by an overwhelm- ing-majority, I should suppose it to be as much their dufy to submit as though they were a more numerous minority. Nor could that be considered oppressive. We could never transact any business if we waited till the minority yielded to the opinions of the majority; and if honorable gentlemen have thought proper to protest on this occasion against the course of. proceeding, they have had an opportunity to express in the fullest manner within the last eight months their opinions on the measures which have been voted upon and adopted in this Senate. Had a course of policy been taken to preclude them from what is the right of every member in a deliberative body, the right of giving their opinions, I should have resisted that; but when a free ~xpression has been given to opinions, and when the whole country is filled with these opinions, and when the community at large have heard and read t.he various arguments upon the different bills which have been passed, and which are now under discussion; when the country had had all these advantages of reading, and the representatives of the people have had all these opportunities of being heard by their constituents, I cannot think that when I vote in a majority, and instst on some definite action being taken, I am encroaching on the rights of a minority of individuals. And if they present a protest which is calculated to reflect upon the course which I take, and is disrespectful in language, erroneous in its premises, or fallacious in its deductions, or threatening in any degree, I do
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