415
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
the greater responsibility rests upon him, the greater will be the consideration which he will give to the subjects coming before him. But, sir, if the Senate of the United States, a numerous body of men, choose to take a course that is either impolitic or unwise in itself, or unsafe to be adopted in regard to our foreign relations, the consequences will be that there are no less than sixty-two men to divide the responsibility, and it amounts to nothing at all; whereas the President being an in- dividual, feels that he is bound to the whole nation, and respon- sible for every act that he does. I would rather rely upon his suggestions, and carry out the policy indicated by him, if proper, or advise with him upon his recommendation, than I would suggest to him what course of policy would meet the opinion of the people, when, in fact, the Senators can know nothing about it, for it is a matter that has not been discussed by the people. I tell you, sir, the principle of the Monroe doctrine, as it is called, rests in the hearts of the people. They are contented that it should be there. The principle was announced in 1823. It has remained uncontradicted from that day to the present. It will remain uncontradicted, or war will be the inevitable con- sequence, if there is no other alternative for the maintenance of that principle; and it will not be a party or individuals who will engage in it; it will be the nation that will do it; they will vindicate their honor and their character. Then, sir, you might as well reenact the Declaration of Independence, for the Monroe Doctrine is an emanation from it. It is a bough from the great tree of Independence, and you cannot cut it off without destroying the trunk. I cannot see any use in the introduction of the resolutions to which I have referred. I have deemed the dis- cussion of these subjects here of peculiar importance, and in many respects unfortunate. I say nothing about the waste of time. I have nothing with which to reproach gentlemen upon that point. I felicitate myself that I am drawing but a very small portion of the time to which I would have been entitled if I had an equal opportunity with some gentlemen in this Chamber. There is a remarkable coincidence in a train of circumstances which have grown up in.this country which have had an exciting and important influence upon it. To be sure we have had no cities sacked, no armies slain, no houses conflagrated; but sir, the public has been excited to an unusual degree upon some occasions-whether beneficially or not, I will not pretend to say. In 1849, when difficulties arose bet-ween Austria and her
Powered by FlippingBook