13
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1832-1853
permanent and stable government beyond all possibility of fail- ure, numberless emigrants with large possessions of servants and money will flock to our shores. Large planters and men of capital have not heretofore had sufficient confidence in the stability of our government to risk large investments in Texas. Annexation removes the difficulty. As an inducement to persons to cast their fortunes in Texas, institutions of learning should be established, especially a wise and liberal system of free public schools. After providing for the payment of our public debt, our public lands should be, to a great extent, set apart to create and support free public insti- tutions of learning. The only obstruction in the way of this desired measure is our public debt, which amounts from ten to twelve millions. This debt is a virtual lien upon our public domain; a part of which was contracted to maintain our armies in the field during our revolutionary war, and must be paid if it requires every foot of our public domain to do it. Texas never can assume a proud and lofty position as one of the United States and repudiate this sacred debt of honor. To pay this debt is a small sacrifice compared with the contributions of some of the fallen in the great struggle for our freedom. In looking back over the past we discover many noble patriots that labored in the cause with mighty arms, and when it became necessary, sealed it with their precious blood in death. · And now, in conclusion, my fellow-citizens, as we are on the eve of taking a new departure, let us pledge ourselves, one and all that we will defend freedom on the sacred soil of Texas for- ever and ever. 1 Judge William Lewis, Biographical Sketch of the Life of Sam Houston, with a condensed History of Texas from Its Discovery to 1861 (Dallas Herald Printing House, 1882), pp. 63-74. The source does not give the exact date of the speech, but states that it was made in Houston in the summer of 1845. The compiler explains: "This speech was written down as it fell from the lips of the speaker by a Mr. [William F.] Weeks, who was the first .shorthand reporter in Texas. The newspapers all being opposed to Houston at this period, refused to print it. This ,niter obtained this copy from the reporter himself and preserved it, believing it was an important item in the vindication of the truth of history." The Galveston News of February 9, 12, 1883, gives some information about Lewis. 2Houston's memory for dates betrayed him. He left ,vashington on March 6 and arrived at Gonzales on March 11. SThis statement, if truly reported, is the nearest that Houston ever came to an admission that he planned to retreat to the boundary.
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