WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
433
the matter in controversy, defeat the object of this session of Congress, and render a necessity for convoking another Congress to enable the Executive of the country to conduct affairs of Government? Our civil and diplomatic relations are embraced within the provisions of this bill. Upon the administration of the civil concerns of the country, depends the vital existence of the ?overnment, and upon our international relations its secondary mterests. In disturbing those, we would do great prejudice; and for all that we would accomplish by standing on our dignity on this occasion, if either party were to triumph in the contest, it would not obtain for the whole body in either House a break- fast at Walker's restaurant to-morrow morning. I am not for disturbing the interests of the country on account of any matter of imaginary dignity; but I am for transacting the business of the country, for which we were deputed by our constituents, and ending in harmony and peace with each other, the business for which we were convoked. If either body were to concede a little, would it make the body granting the concession any poorer? I am sure it would not enrich the other. In taking this view of the subject, I might add an additional consideration. An extra session cannot be convoked and held here for the purpose of remedying what is within the reach of this body at this moment, for less than $250,000 or $300,000. It has been said that there is a difficulty between the two Houses, on account of the increase of the salaries given to the officers of the Cabinet. That increase amounts only to $14,000. If we were to surrender this point, therefore, it would retain $14,000 in the Treasury, instead of losing $250,000 or $300,000 in an extra session, and not gaining any addition whatever to the salaries. Entertaining these views, I move to amend the motion of my colleague, by striking out the word "decline," and inserting the words "agree to." 1 Cong1·essional Globe and A7,pcnclix, Part II, 1852-1863, p. 1102. A EULOGIUM UPON THE INDIANS, MARCH 3, 1853 1 I believe the honorable Senator has concluded; and as the Senate is perfectly at leisure, I may as well say a few words now ... I will certainly confine myself to the rules of the Senate, because I am sure that the Presiding Ofl1cer of the body would not transcend the proper rules of the body himself, and I will
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