WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1861
277
might waive my objections to the source from which the oath came. I am called upon to swear to support the Constitution and laws of the· Confederate States, which I have never seen, and as your Chief Executive, to render my allegiance to that Government, when you have never, in any manner or form declared your desire to become annexed to the same. Fellow-Citizens, in the name of your rights and liberties, which I believe have been trampled upon, I refuse to take this oath. In the name of the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed by this Convention, I refuse to take this oath. In the name of the Constitution of Texas, which has been trampled upon, I refuse to take this oath. In the name of my own con- science and manhood, which this Convention would degrade by dragging me before it, to pander to the malice of my enemies, when by the Constitution the privilege is accorded me, which belongs to the humblest officer, to take my oath of office before any competent authority, I refuse to take this oath. I am ready to be ostracized sooner than submit to usurpa- tion. Office has no charm for me, that it must be purchased at the sacrifice of my conscience, and the loss of my self-respect. I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her. To avert this calamity, I shall make no endeavor to main- tain my authority as Chief Executive of this State, except by the peaceful exercise of my functions. When I can no longer do this, I shall calmly withdraw from the scene, leaving the Government in the hands of those who have usurped its author- ity; but still claiming that I am its Chief Executive. I expect the consequences of my refusal to take this oath. My office will be declared vacated. If those who ostracize me will be but as true to the interests of Texas as I have endevored to be, my prayers will attend them. Fellow-Citizens, think not that I complain at the lot which Providence has now assigned me. It is perhaps but meet that my career should close thus. I have seen the patriots and states- men of my youth, one by one, gathered to their fathers, and the Government which they had created, rent in twain; and none like them are left to unite it once again. I stand the last almost of a race, who learned from their lips the lessons of human freedom. I am stricken down now, because I will not yield those principles, which I have fought for and struggled to maintain. The severest pang is that the blow comes in the name of the State of T'exas. I deny the power of this Convention to speak
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