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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1851
Mr. W. A. Philpott, Jr., of Dallas, owns the original which was received by John H. Houston.
OPPOSING RE-AFFIRMATION OF THE COMPROMISE, DECEMBER 22, 1851 1
Mr. President, for several days past I have hoped this resolu- tion could be disposed of. I have evinced but little anxiety to participate in this debate, though I have thought much in relation to the disposition which is to be made of the resolution which is now before us. I must confess that it was a matter of astonish- ment when I first met with it in this body. I had expected noth- ing of the kind. The general aspect of affairs throughout the country seemed to be of the most favorable character towards the harmonious adjustment of the difficulties which have excited the community, and I had hoped that they would have been permitted to have taken their natural course, and that the good sense of the American people would have regulated these matters, without the interposition of any deliberative or legislative body... The contrary, however, has been the case, and it devolves upon me as a member, not only of this body, but of the Democratic party, to declare my objections to it. I may say that I occupy no equivocal position in relation to the matter of the compromise, for I believe the records of the Senate will prove that I am the only Senator now upon this floor that voted for every measure of the compromise. An honorable Senator from Pennsylvania [Mr. Sturgeon] also voted for all the provisions of the com- promise, but he is no longer a member of this body. This being my position, I feel at liberty to acquit myself of all embarrass- ment, and to proceed to the investigation of this subject, I hope, without incurring the suspicion of any design to conceal or smooth over any portion of my conduct. I desire, sir, to have no broader platforms than those now existing and maintained by the two parties of this country. I understand that the Demo- cratic party is tolerant in its principles; that they are not proscriptive; that they are not for applying the Procrustean rule to every member of the party. Harmonious as they generally are, some gentlemen of the same party differ essentially upon the subject of internal improvements. That has been evinced on former occasion here, within my recollection, and I believe it extends much further back than my familiarity with ·the pro- ceedings of this body. And not only that, for I have heard dis- cussions here by the members of the same political party on the
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