WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
239
the accusation, that it originated in the House of Representa- tives, and the signature which I see attached to the communi- cation indicates that the individual who makes the accusation is a member of that body. Sir, with abuse I am somewhat familiar. Until now, when I have passed the meridian of life, I have been much abused; but I have disregarded the abuse which has been gratuitously heaped upon me. But my position at this time, and the relations which I bear to members of this body as well as to the American people, seem to demand of me that I should not pass the attack unregarded. With me, sir, it is a subject of sincere regret to have contro- versies of any kind. I have always avoided them. Up to this period of my life, I have attacked no man's reputation. In this case I am not the assailant; but being assailed, I claim the right to repel unfounded charges and accusations which are calculated to affect my reputation, so far as it is connected with either the past or the present. During the session, I have seldom obtruded myself upon the attention of the Senate; and as we are now, I hope, drawing the business of the session to a conclusion, I am the more reluctant that my private matters should occupy one moment of the precious time of this body. But, sir, it appears that my offense, or that which is assumed to be an offense, occurred in debate in the Senate; for words spoken in debate in this body, I, one of its members, have been assailed by a writer in a paper called the "Southern Press;" and though th.e indi- vidual is unknown to me, though with him I have had no inter- course, the vindication of my conduct, and its vindication in this Chamber, is due alike to the Senate and to myself. For twenty-six years I have been occasionally connected with deliberative bodies-for it is twenty-six or twenty-seven years since I entered the House of Representatives as a member, and I have frequently served in deliberative bodies, consultations, and conventions in the State of which I am now a citizen-and in the whole course of that time, never, to my recollection, have I violated a rule of-decorum, or been called to order for the supposed violation. If I had used any expression unbecoming my station or the respect due to this honorable body, I am satisfied that gentlemen here would not have permitted it to pass unnoticed. The Senators from the State of South Carolina would have detected any outrage committed upon an absent member of that community, or the distinguished deceased (Mr. Calhoun) who has been drawn into this matter. Their sense of honor, of
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