395
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1841
say, that I very seldom find either scripture or gospel in the editorials. Since my friend, the Orator of the day, has seen fit to allude to modern history, I would simply remark that I have reviewed the book referred to, at my leisure, and that I found very little orthodox there, so far as I was capable of judging. I will name the book the Foot history.~ I call it the Foot history because it will be more footed than eyed. It has had its round of reading if it ever got any. Fellow-citizens, I will make it my endeavor that you shall know that the country has at least derived some benefit from the choice that you have made, if I find in Congress that hearty co- operation which I have reason to expect. There are many topics which will receive my early attention. It will be one object to diminish the weight of taxation, now so oppressively felt in every section of the country. Another, to introduce a system by which duties shall be paid in good money, and the officers who receive monies for the government shall pay them into the Treasury. The President and all officers under him shall be held to strict accountability. Not one cent shall be disposed of, unappropriated by Congress. Every individual employed in the business of the government, shall preserve his oath inviolate; or he shall not escape with impunity. He shall not remain a blot and leprosy upon your interests, carrying ·poison to the fountain head. To this I pledge myself. Uncommitted to mortal man with respect to office, I shall have a single eye to capacity, integrity, and purity of motive. The citizen who comes forward as a candidate for office, shall have his claims fairly and impartially canvassed, and the decision shall be grounded solely upon merit. The people have elected me, and for the people I hold office. They may rest assured that I shall not import strangers, to put them in high places, whose very actions savor of iniquity, and stink in the nostrils of the Almighty. I shall endeavor to sustain the judiciary of the country-the true palladium of civil, political, and religious liberty. It is known to you all, that i:i. deplorable laxity, originating at the head, has extended into many portions of our land. Hun- dreds of men have been riding over the country in bands, con- suming the substance of the industrious, arresting, condemning and executing many of our citizens without the sanction of laws: while the President has remained quietly ensconced at Austin, re- gardless of the cries of the fugitives, pursued by a rabble mul- titude; neglecting to call out the militia of the country to sup-
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