396
WRITINGS OF SAJ\·I HOUSTON, 1841
press the insurrection, or to punish the aggressors. Judges shrank appailed from the disgraceful spectacle, unable them- selves, for the want of moral courage, to rescue the land from dis- honor and blood. The blood of murdered citizens has called aloud for vengeance. But justice had no ears to hear the cry-no majesty to vindicate-no eye to perceive-no arm to chastise. Our fair fame is degraded abroad. Emigrants pouring in from the East, pause and return back. They seek a peaceful home in Arkansas or Louisiana, and T'exas is thus deprived of the most valuable accession to her population. Yet we hear in the annual message of the Executive, that '"we have many causes of felicita- tion;" but not one word of the violation of the majesty of the laws. Such a state of things I will never tolerate, while I may have the energy of the people to sustain me in upholding order, law and justice. Culprits, such as these shall be brought before the judiciary-that tribunal which is-to save our country-it shall become the city of refuge to Texas. An impartial admin- istration of justice will inspire confidence in all. This state of things I anticipate. My earnest support shall be given to bring it about-I will not say if you wish it-I know you wish it. For it is the interest of all. The hardy soldier, the tender female, and the stripling that begins to know his privileges as a freeman, will repose in undis- turbed security upon the protection of a fearless and incorrup- tible judiciary, that noble safeguard of the orphan and the widow, in the well-grounded confidence that their property is no longer exposed to the robbery, which has been the worst feature in our country. I will not, fellow citizens, detain you longer. Often have I met you, and often been greeted by the same warm welcome. It is again renewed under the most flattering circumstances. Ever grateful for your partiality, I may say to you, that I feel a certain degre~ of self approbation. It is for that we live-it is for that I act. If love of country is a virtue, I should love our country- and the heart is not formed for virtue that does not receive with gratitude, the approbation of his fellow men. The approbation of intelligent freemen, displayed in the bestowal of their suffrage, is the highest boon that can be conferred upon the citizens of a republic.
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