WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
414
well known that it is a principle inherent in the American heart; it is there implanted at this day, and has entered into the very soul of the nation. You cannot wrest that principle from it, and leave political vitality in the body-politic. Is it believed that if an encroachment is made upon the prerogatives of this nation, if its security is endangered, or its rights infringed, that it will bow in humiliation to any earthly Power? It is in vain to think it. Sir, the principle rests in the heart, and it will be found in the arm, to sustain the Executive whenever he deems it necessary in the control of our foreign relations, to raise his crest as the representative of America. He certainly has op- portunities superior to ours of possessing himself of the condition and state of the foreign relations of the country. It is his everyday business, when placed in the Executive chair, to look at our foreign relations. He is in control of all our international correspondence. The diplomatic machinery of the Government is all laid before him; and in his Cabinet councils he contemplates them, surrounded by men of capacity and ability to sustain him, and if he needs advice, ready to offer it. Are we, in advance of the course which he may think proper to take, to say what is right and what is wrong in our foreign relations? Our relations to him are delicate; we are his advisers. We are here for a little while-for a few months in the year-and when we go away, we lose the "run" or "hang" of things, as it is familiarly called, while his mind is continually considering, and familiar with every passing occurrence abroad. In this way he is more capable of determining what it will be proper to recommend to the coordinate branches of the Government for their con- currence, than they are capable of anticipating what he, under· the circumstances, ought to do. Another thing: The President has responsibility; his opinions and his recommendations are no idle matter; they are the off- spring of the Constitution for he is required, by that sacred chart of our liberties, to give advice and suggestions to the legislative branch of the Government for their concurrence. Under these circumstances it is certain that he will be better qualified to make suggestions to us than we shall be to make them to him. The President is individually responsible for bis acts. If he is guilty of dereliction or impropriety of conduct, there is but one Executive and he can be identified, and any malfeasance or misfeasance can be individually charged to him. There is no one to divide the responsibility with him. Hence, as
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