WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1857
437
be introducing elements of destruction to the country. The cour- teous rejection of it is no disrespect to the memory of the man whom it is intended to honor. He stands above the adventitious aids of legislative action. This nation can accord him no higher honor than his own gallant deeds have already secured to him. He needs no adventitious aid to commemorate his name as long as ages shall roll on, or glory be admired, or moral worth be re- garded. I would be the first man to honor him, but I would be the last man to vote for a measure that may be pernicious to my country when no positive good can be shown. Washington's tomb is private property, and Congress has refused to purchase it. He was the great precursor of Jackson. That being the case, I am not willing to agree to this proposition. Its rejection cannot be considered disrespectful to the State of Tennessee. She stands above rebuke; she stands high and preeminent among the States. I honor her for her chivalry; for her high position among the States, for her loyalty, for her patriotism; but I do not think this is necessary to round off her glory, or that it should culmi- nate in an act which, I say, if adopted, will destroy the country. [Others speak.] Mr. Houston. I am aware, Mr. President, of the importance of time, and my object is to consume as little of it as possible; but if I understand this proposition, if it should be adopted, it will be a committal of the Government of the United States, to the condition contained in it. This tender of the Hermitage is upon certain conditions; and if the Government should accept it, it will be for the purpose of establishing a military academy there, and it will be bound to carry out that condition, no matter at what expense, and without regard to the question of the neces- sity of another military academy. It seems to me that the first inquiry in the discussion of this subject ought to be, whether it is proper that a branch military academy or an independent military academy is necessary to the well-being of the Government? If it is, then the question would arise, where is the most eligible place for its establishment? If you accept this tender made by the State of Tennessee, you are committed irrevocably to the condition of that tender, and must establish a military academy there. I deem it proper, therefore, that a committee, when Congress in some of our long sessions, will have an opportunity of examining the subject, should make an investigation, and report to the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives, and place them in possession of all the circumstances
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