WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1851
328
And will not such a course have a tendency to produce unpleas- ant scenes in the halls of legislation, impair public confidence in our proceedings, and keep incessant agitation in the community? If a minority are willing to acquiesce in a measure, and the coun- try is tending to repose after the settlement of controverted questions, so far as they can be settled by the action of Con- gress, does it become a magnanimous majority to open afresh the sorest points of severe conflicts that have been allayed, and which the minority do not propose to disturb? And especially, sir, is it magnanimous in the majority to open these questions again, when the very object of their adoption was to allay agi- tation? I voted for them, each and all, as peace mea.sures. As such they have been received by the country, and millions have rejoiced that these unhappy controversies had been adjusted. Since these peace measures were adopted, an entire session of Congress has passed, and now at the commencement of a new session of a new Congress, a resolution is offered which again opens, and has opened, the aggravating agitation. It is an AGITATING RESOLUTION upon a series of PEACE MEASURES, and measures, too, acquiesced in by nearly the whole country. Where, sir, is the practicability of this resolution? Its friends have not shown it, and cannot. Its evil influences are already apparent as defeating the very object of the compromise meas- ures; and as a fast friend of the adjustment, I cannot consist- ently vote for it. Why not, sir, introduce a resolution here declaring that the independent treasury bill shall be a final adjustment of the questions that arose during its progress through the two Houses of Congress? Some of our political friends at first opposed that measure, but have since acquiesced in it. If the position of the Senator from Mississippi be correct, we must get up a resolution to "commit" Senators upon that measure at the present time. Why is it not done? Simply because such a course would be weakness, and worse-it would be ridic- ulous; but no more ridiculous than the resolution now before us. I cannot, Mr. President, trifle with laws in this way. It is not compatible with the dignity of this honorable body, or consist- ent with the well-established principles of legislation in this country. Sir, I again say there is no practicability in this reso- lution. It may be adapted to a peculiar platform in Mississippi; but it is not a suitable platform for the Democratic party of this whole country.
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