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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
everything done in nice order-documents referred to with great particularity, and of the most astounding import-all prepared for the occasion. Senators sympathizing with him, asked him to sit on the chair to rest himself. He read it all. It was painful to hear his plaintive tones. His voice, usually vigorous; his man- ner, characteristically animated and nervous, seemed to have be- come enervated; and he sunk down into the softest gesticulations and •most pathetic tones, yielding apparently to the force of disease. His tone and manner commanded the richest stores of sympathy from every feeling heart in the Senate. But, sir, when that speech appeared in print, what was it? It was a flaming eulogy; it was the inauguration of Captain Du Pont's fame and name into the Senate of the United States. Was it brought forward under ordinary circumstances? or was it intended to send it forth as a harbinger for the purpose of fore- stalling anything that might result from the communication of certain documents (when his name had not been previously alluded to in the Senate), and by that means give him an advantage which he would not otherwise possess? Was it fair, was it courteous to the Senate, or was it to take a snap judgment on the sympathies of the Senate, and foist a man before the public in the most imposing attitude? No sooner was the speech delivered here, than leave was asked to remove from it the injunction of secrecy, and throw it wide to the world. It was done in executive session. Gentlemen may have said: "It must be something of great importance; we will read the Senator's speech, and see what it is." The injunction was removed, and the speech was published. On examining it, we find it to be an attempt to indoctrinate us with the Senator's opinion that Captain Du Pont is a perfect nonpareil. [Laughter.] Yes, sir; here it is; this is the title-page to the speech: "Captain S. F. Du Pont, U. S. Navy. Speech of Hon. John M. Clayton, of Delaware, in the Senate of the United States, March 11, 1856, in executive session. The injunction of secrecy had been removed." Who could resist an inclination to get possession of this rich niorceau, when it was a secrecy worthy of the note and attention of Senators? It is a most imposing thing. After this introduction, on the first page of the body of the pamphlet, before addressing the distinguished officer of this body who presides over its delib- erations, I find, in flaming capitals, the words: "Captain S. F. Du .Pont, U.S.N.," and then it begins: "Mr. Clayton said," etc.
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