WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
195
them, they will rise to shake it off. Then, when their now peace- ful homes are the scene of desolation, they will feel no pang of regret. Moved by a common feeling of resistance, they will not ask for the forms of law to justify their action. Nor will they follow the noisy demagogue who will flee at the first show of danger. Men of the people will come forth to lead them, who will be ready to risk the consequences of revolution. If the Union be dissolved now, will we have additional security for slavery? Will we have our rights better·secured? After en- during civil war for years, will there be any promise of a better state of things than we now enjoy? Texas, especially, has these things to consider. Our Treasury is nearly empty. We have near half a million of dollars in the Treasury of the United States. A million of our school fund is invested in U. S. Bonds. We have an extensive frontier to defend. Pecuniary or personal considera- tions ought to weigh nothing when tyranny is in the scale; but are we justified in sacrificing these, when we have yet the Consti- tution to protect us and our rights are secured. Let us not embrace the higher law principle of our enemies and overthrow the Constitution; but when we have to resist, let it be in the name of the Constitution and to uphold it. Why this military display and call to arms in Texas. Have we enemies at home or is an enemy marching upon us? When was there the time, when the citizens of the country were not ready to flock to its standard in its defense? Are the people to deliberate on this question with a military despotism in their midst, ready to coerce them? We want sober thought and calm reason, not furious harrangues o·r the argument of bayonets. If this government is to fall, wisdom must furnish another and a better one, and if patriots yield now to the rash and reckless, who only aspire to military glory, or for anarchy and rapine, they may find that in the wreck of one free government, they have lost the power to rear another. I trust the gloom which now·hangs over the land will soon be dispelled. Now is the time for the patriot to come forth and consider what is to be gained by a change. We are called upon to desert the gallant thousands who for years have been fighting our battles against fanaticism in the North. Heretofore they have aided us to conquer and we have been willing to abide with them. Now, after a struggle more glorious than any yet have been made, they have been driven back. They still offer us the guarantees of the Constitution and are ready to battle with us in
Powered by FlippingBook