WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
198
of equality with them; or to say that such beings were entitled to the considerations which are due to the naturalized citizen. I am in favo1· of excluding from ou,r shores persons who camwt come to the countriJ with a certificate from our consular agents in the country which they leave, representing them as persons o/ good character; or if they have been guilty of political offences in their country, to state the same, that a proper allowance might by made by our Government. I am becoming suspicious of the teachers in these days of UTILITARIAN politics. And before I en- list under the leaders of modern Democracy, I wish to know whether they stand on the .fackson, or Calhoun platform. Be- tween their platforms there was an essential difference. Jack- son's was the Constitution and the Union. . This was the platform upon which I stand, anci if, as has been asserted, the American party is down, and the battle over, and the victory won, I shall only feel mortified to witness at my period of life, after having looked upon so many vicissitudes of my country, to see an anti- American feeling triumph. One consolation, at least, will be left me. Whilst the triumphs of American principles were rever- berating throughout the Union, I was silent.. When those prin- ciples are said to be in eclipse, I came forward with cheerfulness and declared that I believe the salvation of my country is only to be secured by adhe1·ence to the principles of the American Order. A triumph is claimed by the Anti-Americans, based on the sup- position that all counsels will be broken up, from the fact that some withdrawals have and may continue to take place. In all cases within my knowledge where withdrawals have occurred, a greater number were added to the order than seceders. Occa- sionally men have joined the order from motives which did little credit to its principles, and remained members for months. Their motives can be inferred from their actions. They remained quietly until nominations were made, in which they were not so fortunate as they much desired to be. Those persons soon after withdrew from the order, denouncing it is an "Unholy, Dark Lantern Society." In many cases, seceders have regarded themselves as highly qualified teachers of the newfangled politics in Texas. But not of the good old Jefferson and Jackson Democracy. The present is a momentous epoch in the annals of our country. A vast responsibility devolves upon us. We are acting in the present, it is true, but we are also acting for all future genera- tions. We are accountable to our posterity. We have received
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