WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
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embraces all within the scope of its vision, they will be less en- couraged to set on foot individual enterprises for the accomplish- ment of an object which they know the Government could achieve, and that they must be subservient to its views, and not indulge their personal enterprises and desires. So, sir, I think it is calcu- lated rather to restrain aggression by individual enterprises, than to encourage them. It is with these views that I offer the resolution. A much more enlarged view than this might be taken of the subject if it were necessary. We have relations with these people. We have an eye to them. The country on the Pacific coast of the United States has a right to command our consideration. The facilities of com- munication with our Pacific possessions being through these regions, must necessarily be protected by this Government at all hazards, until we have a direct transit within our own territory. We have the means of doing this, and we are traitors to ourselves if we do not use them. If it were an infliction of wrong, or an aggravation of the misfortunes of those people, I should scorn to do it on account of their helpless condition; but I wish to build them up as a powerful people, whose national prosperity shall be based upon virtue and regulated government. For these reasons, I wish an inquiry made by the appropriate committee as to what may be proper to be done touching these matters. Other nations have an eye to these people, but we are their neighbors, and we ought to make them our friends. If a Power foreign to them is to control them and to wield their destiny, let it be the Power of the United States, and not of any transatlantic Government; let it be the Power in geographical affiliation with them, and immediately connected with them. I did not intend to make any remarks on the subject; indeed, I did not anticipate that there would be any necessity for them. I hope the resolution will be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. [Interruptions by Mason, Hale, Seward, Toombs, Gwin.] Mr. Houston. I have no wish to incur further imputations of filibustering myself, and I should be unwilling to move for a select committee on this occasion; and particularly I should dis- like to be chairman of such a committee. I have presented this resolution with a view to coming events, which cast their shadows before. The subjects involved in the resolution have almost be- come tangible. There is not a single one of the States referred to that has not, within my recollection, undergone one or more
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