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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
250
Sir, the charges are answered, and, therefore, I presume I may "croak" a little. Of South Carolina, I may say that no indi- vidual appreciates more than I do her illustrious revolutionary career; and, sir, her character has been nobly illustrated by her heroes, her orators, and her statesmen. I could say nothing to disparage her; and there are many of her citizens who command my esteem and admiration. I speak of gentlemen with whom I have had the pleasure of an acquaintance, without endorsing all her inhabi.tants. But, sir, I have received the hospitality and courtesy of South Carolina, and some friendships yet linger there which I hope long to cherish. I may have regretted defects in her constitution. I may have deplored the misfortune that her citizens, ·her gallant sons were not possessed of equal political privileges with the citizens of some other States. I may have regretted that there were property qualifications and restrictions upon the right of suffrage. I may have regretted that the repre- sentatives alone elected the Governor of that State, and the electors of the President and Vice President of the United States. This, to my apprehension, places her citizens, who have not a representative character, in a condition between the proud sons cf the other States around her and the slaves that till her soil. I have said, and I have regretted, that the right of suffrage was restricted there. Thus I have spoken of South Carolina. I have spoken of her and of the Union. I have no better right to speak of union than any other man; but when my history is so well known, and when others speak of it, I may perhaps be pardoned for speaking of it, too. I have experienced the inconvenience of being out of the Union, while others, more blessed, more happy, and more distinguished, whose course of life has run smoother than my own, have enjoyed its benefits and its bless- ings. I have known what it was to live unprotected by the broad aegis of the Union, and without the guardian care of the Con- stitution. I have felt the oppression of power. I have seen the armed myrmidons subject to its control, sweep over the fairest land, and then I learned to appreciate the blessings of the Union, in their absence. Then, sir, my heart yearned towards the Union, and ceased not until we became coequal with the other States. Yes, sir, I do appreciate the Union, and I congratulate it upon this auspicious day. I congratulate the Senate, I congratulate the American people, I congratulate the oppressed of all nations, who look to this Union as an asylum from oppression. It is,
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