355
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1856
Mr. President, I earnestly trust that the Senate will adopt these resolutions, appoint the special committee forthwith to proceed in the investigation of the cases of those officers who have presented memorials to us, so that they will have it in their power at an early day to report upon the subject. I have much to deplore in the condition of the country, and much to reprehend; but this is the most fatal blow which I have yet seen aimed at the nation- one that has inflicted a deeper wound on its honor and efficiency than all that have been accumulating from the days of my boyhood to the present moment, and the consequences of which will be most disastrous if not arrested. I cannot consent to sustain the bill reported by the Committee on Naval Affairs, which proposes to increase temporarily the whole number of officers in the navy, when we have already so many officers for the ships, that now only once in every fifteen years can a captain perform his cruise, a commander once in fifteen years, and the lieutenants once in five years. Under such circumstances, are you to make provision for an additional num- ber to supply the places of those who have been improperly dropped or removed? No, sir. I will replace them where they stood at the adoption of this unconstitutional measure. I say it was a nullity from the commencement, because it was unconsti- tutional, and because the law, even such as it was, has not been properly executed. I ask the Senate to restore these men to the places which they formerly occupied. Let this be done, and our country will feel and know that there is a conservative principle in the legislation of this Union which can arrest all the cabals, all the machinations, and all the packed conspiracies that may be concocted against the well-being of the country, or against any particular arm of its se1·vice, which are prompted by sinister motives, and designed to strike down worthy men for hatred, envy, or ambition. It will show the people that there is an influence which can put down those who seek, by grasping at power, to promote themselves at the nation's expense, and do injustice to worthy and honorable men. Now, Mr. President, I have no more to say on this occasion; but before taking my seat I beg leave to return my thanks to the Honorable Senato1· from Tennessee for the courtesy he has shown me by allowing me to proceed to-day. 1 Cong1·cssional Globe, Appendix, 1st Sess., 34th Cong., 1866-1857, pp. 416- 428; Crane, Life and Select Litc1·a111 Remains of Sam Ho11sto11, 468-614. Houston's speech of March 18, 1866, pp. 247 in this volume, was his first
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