WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1851
295
they maintained their position, but still with a heart yearning for reunion to this country with all the filial attachment of children-strange, indeed, I say, it would be if they should not have learned to appreciate their own condition, and to estimate their renewed induction into this community. I should like to see who is to be the teacher of Texans. For the last fourteen years they have had but one. common instructor; their impulse has been a love of freedom. But has South Carolina done more for Texas than other States have done? I do not know in what. I would like to know in what danger South Carolina has stood that has not been common to the whole Union? What has she done that others have not done? If her loss in the fields of battle and of victory was great and grievous to South Carolina, the glory which has redounded to her will be imperishable. Gal- lant were the sons of South Carolina that fell on the soil of Mexico. They offered a libation to their country in the gallant blood they shed on the fields of victory. I appreciate all that they have done, and all that others have done; but to accord to South Carolina her meed of praise, to the exclusion of others- the palm that she has led the van on all occasions, when the cause of Texas was led to war-I am not prepared. I wish not so say any more about South Carolina, and the course that has been pursued, and which may be in contemplation to be pursued. I have only said what I feel necessary to my present position, and I will leave the other to ruminate upon, for an occasion which may require a further expression of opinion. [Statement by Senator Butler of South Carolina.] I will mention to the Senator, if he will permit me, that in my remarks to-day I have not alluded to General Wallace, for the very reason that he never once entered my mind. The correspondence to which I alluded was the letter of Mr. Calhoun, the letter to Mr. Gadsden, and the letter of General Hamilton.: 1 [Speech of Mr. Butler] I was very reluctantly and unexpectedly compelled to engage this morning in any remarks. I thought by this time I should have been on my way home. I came here this morning not expecting to make any remarks, not intending to make any, and not expecting an assault from any quarter. I would be very sorry to avail myself of any popular prejudice that might exist against South Carolina. If any does exist, I deplore it as sin- cerely as any man on earth can do. I am sure the gentleman from South Carolina cannot deplore it with more feeling than I do. The insinuation, though it is rather indirect, that I would
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