WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
367
Mr. President, it has been suggested that these men have borne gallantly the banner of their country, in foreign lands, against her foes. I grant all that; nor would I detract from them in the slightest degree. It is not for the purpose of detracting from the Army or its officers, that I rise on this occasion, but it is for the purpose of vindicating them in their rights, in their position, and in all that can pertain to them as officers of the Army. I am for confining them strictly to their proper duties, and I am for draw- ing a distinction between the officers of the Army and the civilians of the country. Civilians ha~e a right to expect that they will come in for a share of the patronage of this Government, or, if you please, the loaves and fishes. They have rights as well as officers of the Army. They are not to be driven back and officers preferred, who have already their positions guaranteed to them, and have been treated with marked favor by the Government from their youth up to the present day. For this reason I am opposed to officers being detailed from their respective duties in the Army, and assigned to civil trusts which can be as well and better performed by citizens versed in practical matters and capable of discharging these functions. Civilians have a right to expect these employments. It is an expectation which by the voice of Congress they ought to realize. I will relate a circum- stance which, as I was assured by an officer of high distinction in the Army, occurred at Matamoras, after that place was taken possession of. A lagoon, connecting itself with the Rio Del Norte, or river of the North, obstructed the communication with the upper country. Several engineers of high standing in the Army were consulted upon the practicability of bridging that lagoon. They all failed; every one of them reported that it was imprac- ticable. A mechanic from Texas, an active, enterprising man, who had gone there during the troubles of the country from the far North, from Boston (a very clever fellow, too, who would reflect disgrace on no section), was asked by this officer of dis- tinction to look at that place and see whether it was practicable or not to bridge the stream. He went and returned immediately, and said, "Sir, I will do it with a few men." A detail was made, and in the course of a few days he constructed a bridge--a pass- way that will last perhaps for fifty years. All the engineers of the Army who were there on that occasion could not effect it. Their science fell short of it, or went above it. I presume it went above it, for it was a practical matter, and science often goes above practical matters. The proper way is to select, for the inspection of rivers and harbors, for the construction of public buildings, custom-houses,
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