WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1851
320
body, I shall claim the privilege of proceeding without interrup- tion, unless for the purpose of correction of some misstatement, which I may make in the progress of my speech. My disposition is never to provoke interruption or produce annoyance to hon- orable members of this body, and I cannot suspect that any one would have the design of annoying me; but every Senator must be aware that such things must be unpleasant, if not discourteous. I should think, Mr. President, according to the rule which I have laid down, that if we were to pass resolutions in ·this body, or if joint resolutions were passed by Congress, prescribing the faith of either party, or what their principles should be, that every one who did not come within the exact measure prescribed would be reproachfully treated, or at least arrayed at the tribunal of party, not where he would have a hearing, because he would be excluded. He would not have the privilege of a hearing. Sir, I am for leaving to every gentleman's own conscience, and' to the high motive of love of country and patriotism, to determine with which party he will act, and how far he will act with it. If the representative of a party is brought forward and that representa- tive is sustained, though not agreeing in opinion with all of those who elected him, I should say that he was entitled to its con- sideration, and that he should be received by the members of that party, because as long as a man remains within it he is bound by its general principles. It is the boast of the Democratic party, I believe, that it is the true conservative party of the country, though, at the same time, it is the boast of every political party. I will not deprive either of them of the agreeable assurance. But, sir, if the Democratic party is truly conservative, I think the platform upon which it now stands is wide enough, broad enough, to embrace the whole Union. If it is not I am not a member of it. I know that I have been arraigned for having been too latitudinous in my feelings; but I must confess that my country seems not too large to love, to cherish, and support. Then, sir, if the object of the party is conservatism, and to preserve what we believe the true constitutional principles of the Government, whoever loves and supports that Constitution strictly, is my fellow. I know how the Constitution was formed. It was by concessions made by the several States, or by grants of certain powers that were to remain in the Federal Government; but these delegated func- tions were to be exercised by it for the benefit of the whole. So far the Federal Government has rights, but no further. The
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