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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
carry out the views suggested by the State of Tennessee in pre- senting it. The subject involves more considerations than present themselves to the eye at first sight. Before the Senate involve themselves in this question, it is proper to look at the subject from all its bearings. Its consideration will require ample dis- cussion when Congress shall have sufficient leisure to consider it. For this reason I hope the Senate will not now, at this period of the session, commit this Government by the acceptance of this donation. I shall not go into the views which this proposition suggests to my mind. I shall not depict the consequences which would follow if the suggestions of the State of Tennessee were carried out, because the time will not permit me to do so. I have the highest veneration for the individual whose home occupies a place in this donation. No man has higher reverence for his memory. I am sure that if he had been consulted during his lifetime, he would have given this measure his veto. He had too much regard for the harmony of the country to contribute to anything that would lead to discord. I see ten thousand evils that may result from this measure at a future day, if it is now carried out. I cannot vote for it. I think it should not be pro- posed now when there is no opportunity to discuss it fairly and fully in all its bearings. I surely have no prejudice against any- thing that would contribute to honor the memory of the great hero; but I have a regard for the living and for the future. Whilst I reverence and revere the memory of the dead, I regard the forth-coming millions of the United States. [Others speak.] Mr. Houston. The Senator from California has satisfied me, by the suppositions which he has presented to the Senate, that my views in relation to this matter were correct. There appears to be no definite course of action in relation to this property if we accept it. There is no plan designated, no regulated system, by which Congress is to be governed. We are now merely to accept the donation, and hereafter we are to inquire what is to be done with it. It seems to me that in order to determine, in the first place, whether it is politic to accept it, we should ascer- tain what is to be done with it. I say to-day, that if it be accepted by the Government of the United States, it will be, in my opinion, to the United States what the Grecian Horse was to Troy. It will
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