373
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1853
and enormous claims are assisted and carried against the gov- ernment by infamous agencies employing fraud and bribery as the means. I declare to you, sir, that I have found, from some examinations I have been called upon to make, a disease at the heart of the government, which, unless arrested, must eventually undermine the constitution, and surrender the government to speculators. In General Jackson's time, the contest grew out of the attempt of the Bank of the United States, to engraft a corrupt rnonied influence on the government, to gain a partial control over its finances; now the government, in all its branches, is more corrupt than the bank ever was, and is rapidly verging to that jobbing system which makes the English government a curse to the unhappy millions that live under it. The commanding vote which brought you to the Presidency, in such times, marks the confidence of your countrymen in the ability and fearless probity on which they rely for the reversal of this downward tendency. A cabinet of irreproachable and unapproachable integrity, if intel.ligent and industrious, is all you want in such a work-the rest depends upon yourself. Relying with full faith on an honest course, you may boldly press to the e>..-tirpation of abuses, and set at defiance dictating leaders of factions and sections. The people will sustain you. The issue is no longer between this or that section, or whether this or that party shall prevail. The question is whether honesty or knavery shall triumph in the government. In such a struggle, the great point is absolute confidence on the part of the nation, in the purity of the men called to high trust in -the administration. That you may be fortunate in selecting such associates and in effecting all the good your country anticipates, is my sincere desire. General, I have submitted these as some of my reflections, in all frankness and good wishes for you personally and politically. I have done so with more freedom, because no consideration would induce me, if spared, to remain in official position in Washington. I am truly your obedient servant, Sam Houston General Frank Pierce, Concord, N. H. 1 The ·washington Amei-ican, March 19, 1856; The Texas Democmt, March 15, 1856. Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804-October 8, 1869), the fourteenth President of the United States,. was elected in 1852, on the Democratic
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