WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1853
425
of immense disparity of physical force on the side of Mexico. The Mexican Republic, under another execution, is rallying its forces under a new leader, and menacing a fresh invasion to recover its lost dominion. Upon the issue of this threatened .invasion the independence of Texas may be considered as sus- pended; and were there nothing peculiar in the relative situation of the United States and Texas, our acknowledgment of its independence at such a crisis would scarcely be regarded as consistent with that prudent reserve with which he have here- tofore held ourselves bound to treat all similar questions." That shows the spirit that actuated General Jackson. Where did he derive these principles from? They were seeds sown in the Revolution. They had brought forth good fruit, and it was a plentiful harvest. General Jackson imbibed these principles at a time when he was young. They were matured in the practical operation of this Government. He foresaw that without ad- hesion to some great principle of integrity, this nation could never be prosperous, never glorious, and ought never to be for- tunate. Sir, he was an idolator of his country. He loved it above all things earthly. He wished it not only to be pure, but to be above suspicion; and he wished to act so as to show not merely the propriety of its actions, but the purity of the motives which governed it. Sir, it was suggested by the honorable Senator from Michigan, [Mr. Cass,] when his resolutions were under consideration in relation to breaking off our diplomatic intercourse with Austria- and I presume his remark is equally applicable to his resolutions at this time-that opposition to them might arise from timidity, or that, from some other feeling, we were unwilling to make these declarations to the world. I cannof think so. I would think it rather reverting to a sober second thought than to decline adopting them in hot haste, and declaring to the ·whole world that we have a right to do what the whole world acknowledged that we have a right to do. He is not willing to compare our condition with that of our ancestors, when they submitted to certain oppressions and conditions laid upon them. I cannot believe that our ancestors were timid, or that they were deficient in anything of the constituents of manhood and nobility. Such an association of men, such a number of heroes, such a constellation of statesmen, the world had never before contemplated, and I presume it never will. What did they leave unaccomplished that was worthy of accomplishing? In what that became great
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