227
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1861
people at the ballot-box, none can speak for Texas. Her people have ever been jealous of their rights, and have been careful how they parted with the attributes of their sovereignty. They will reserve to themselves the right :finally to pass upon the act involv- ing so closely their liberties, fortunes, peace, and happiness; and then through the free exercise of that sacred privilege, whi~h has ever, until now, been deemed the best security for the liberties of the people and the surest means of remedying encroachments upon their rights, they have declared their will, and then and then only can speak for Texas. Until then, nothing but individual opinions can be expressed; and ·mine are entitled to no more weight than a long acquaintance with the people and a continued inter- course and communication with them would justify. That there is a difference of opinion existing in Texas, in rela- tion to the course necessary to pursue at this period, none can deny-Citizens alike distinguished for their worth and public service, hold opposite views; and while all are united in the · determination to maintain our Constitutional rights, they differ as to the mode of accomplishing the same. In this I do not include that reckless and selfish class, who, moved by personal ambition, or a desire for office or spoil, desire a change of government, in the hope that aggrandizement will attend them. I believe, however, that a large majority of the people, recog- nizing the obligations they owe to the border States, who have so long stood barriers against the assaults of abolitionism, desire to concert such measures, as will not only conduce to their safety but the benefit of the entire South. As Executive of the State, I have deemed it my duty to present to other Southern States a proposition for a consultation, having that object in view. Ala- bama has not yet responded to the same, and although the tenor of your letter indicates that she will pursue a different course, I trust that when the great interests at stake are duly considered by her people, they will determine to join with Texas and the majority of the Southern States in an honest and determined effort, to obtain redress for the grievances, which the North has put upon us, ere they take the fatal step, which in my opinion, ultimately involves civil war and the ruin of our institutions, if not of liberty itself. If "Alabama has been the first to move in the direction which may possibly result in the severance of all connection with the Federal Government," it is a matter of pride to me that Texas has in their time of peril, been first to move in that direction calculated to secure Southern Unity and Cooperation. Texas is
Powered by FlippingBook