294
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
that will do it. That is all that will save the country. I care not so much for individuals as for my country's honor and glory. Think you not that a seventy-four gun ship, filled from keel to deck with Maurys, would not produce in the sailor's heart one single thrill, one glorious aspiration for imperishable renown? If not, then, sir, a thousand retiring boards, filling creation, would never glorify one banner on the bosom of the Atlantic 01· the Pacific, when they carry with them such principles as their actions have revealed. If they have before sustained a character for bravery, when they come to review their acts they must think "conscience makes cowards of us all." For my deductions I take history, and the official records of the Department for my guide; and I present them to the world with my views upon them, im- perfect as they are. I have referred to the case of Commodore Stewart. That gal- lant man, a man far above reproach, has felt the iron in his soul inflicted by tyro hands, though he had won renown and glory for his country, dignified its banner, and borne aloft its pennant in victory, when those by whose action he has suffered never saw the enemy-save that one to whom I have already referred-the one of whom I mentioned the whistling. Perhaps one of them was on somebody else's ship, and staid on it, and was shot at, and did his duty; but Stewart did more than his duty. His duty was to defend his country; but he gave it glory in return for its reliance that he would defend it. He was one who gave prestige to your Navy, as did Jones, and other illustrious men, who, after having been drenched with blood, and left with mutilated limbs, are now "crushed out"-1 use a court phrase-"crushed out." Sir, I do not care to "crush out" others, but I wish to 1·eplace those who have been unjustly deprived of their position, and to put them where they ought to stand. I wish to restore the national honor-to redeem its faith that was plighted to them. I desire to wipe out what was imperfectly done, or was rendered a nullity by the want of fidelity in the officers who undertook a proceeding in which partiality and selfishness are their only recommenda- tions . . . . [Mr. Butler, Mr. Bayard, and the President speak.] Mr. Houston. I am very sorry that I am hoarse on this occa- sion, for I should be happy to be able to speak audibly and dis- tinctly to the Senator from Delaware [Mr. Bayard], who has honored me with a brief notice. It will be recollected that the
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