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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1855
was born, and in which I hoped to live and die. These were the feelings that I had; and to see the peace of the country broken, and no benefit resulting, led me to suppose that the North would resist the encroachment. They felt veneration as well as the South for the Missouri compromise line. It had produced great benefits for the country, which had gone on growing and pros- pering until its millions had more than doubled. What harm had the Missouri Compromise done? I recollect the time of its adoption-too young to participate in the political scenes of the day; but I recollect the delightful influence it had in the country when it was brought about. The great pacifi- cators of that day had preans sung to them, and joy reigned at the restoration of harmony in the country. Those were scenes that I well recollect. I had seen its benefits, and I sustained it for the good of the country. I sustained it for the repose of my own hopes in the future; I sustained it because it was a compro- mise; and because it was a pledge of honor in my estimation, I supported it. I viewed it as the other compromises of the Con- stitution-for the spirit of that instrument was compromise. It grew out of that. The spirit of conciliation and compromise pro- duced the mighty fabric of the American Constitution, and laid the foundation of our liberties. Hence this compromise had existed for no less than a quarter of a century. Its antiquity entitled it to veneration and respect. If it had remained without molestation so long, even if we had realized no extraordinary benefits from it, it should have been respected. But when it was repudiated and repealed or violated there was no excuse, to my apprehension. But I have met the responsibility of opposing every attempt to impair its force or abrogate its principles. [Ap- plause.] I know that many things that I may think-and an honest man ought never to fear to say what he does think-may not be acceptable to this auditory. But whatever I may say that shall jar upon your feelings, I will promise that I advance my own opinions, not for the purpose of coming in contact with others or of attacking the most delicate sensibility. [Applause.] When I look around me and contemplate the extent of this country, the diversity of its production and the pursuits of the inhabitants of America, I can but believe that there is a reciprocal duty of one portion of the country to another, and of mutual dependence of one section upon another. The people of the South are little more than· overseers for the North. They stand pretty much in
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