249
WRITINGS OF SAl\-I HOUSTON, 1850
Writ: "He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone." It is true, sir, that the relation which I bore to the Indians at that period of my life grew not out of the happiness of early days; but there was no regret to blight, nor was there any reason to cause the blush of shame to mantle the cheek of an honest man. I was in exile, houseless, and a wanderer; but I left no mark of obloquy behind me. I believed there was a work to do among uncivilized man, and circumstances, which are notorious in this Capitol, induced me to seek an asylum in a distant land. From thence I am now here. It is a reunion with a community of which I once formed a part; and I bring with me the endorse- ment of a people independent, manly, generous, and fa_ithful to the Union. I assail no man's 1·eputation. I would not descend so low. I do not assail the living; I will not assail the dead. I have not assailed the memory of Mr. Calhoun. I leave the dead to rest in peace. If from the dead I have suffered wrong, the grave forms an impassable barrier beyond which my resentment would never seek to pass. It is true that I repelled his denunciation when he was absent through indisposition, but I forbore to cast the slightest reflection upon him, for the reason that he was not with me face to face. He has now finished his work and gone to another world; and shall I seek to cast reflection upon his memory? Never, sir; never! No, sir, I would hallow and consecrate it if I could. If he had errors, I would seek to cor- rect them; if he had faults, I would bury their memory with him. I would not conjure them up to injure the feelings of those who survive. But, sir, though death may have consecrated his memory, his acts, his writings, and his opinions are subject to criticism. From this, all the illustrious dead who have preceded him have not been exempt; nor will those who follow. Preeminence amongst men, the brilliance of splendid talent, have a dazzling influence which the grave extinguishes, and sober reason, in the pursuit of truth, pursues its object with severer judgement, and furnishes conclusions which are recorded by the historian's pen. But to pursue my theme. The writer of this letter says: "Until you answer these inquiries, in charity to yourself, sir, if not to those compelled to listen to your croaking, pray cease to make yourself hoarse with the parrot cries of 'Calhoun,' 'South Carolina,' 'Union.' "
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