313
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1861
tion to this no less than four nephews have enlisted for during the war, and are now on their march to Virginia. I might cite these facts as evidences in vindication of myself, if I chose so to do, but such is not the object, it being merely done for the gratification of boasting a little, and to let those who were most forward in secession, see whether they have done more than I have done, or that I am still willing to do for the Southern Con- federacy. And more than this, I have three other nephews who have been in Virginia from the commencement of the war, with the other Southern troops. There ·are those who in the outset of secession, were the most eloquent exhorters, and sensational- ists, who declared that if war was the consequence of seces- sion, they would be found in the van of_battle, but who have retired and are securely ensconsed in their seclusion, and "cooing gently as sucking doves." The time has been when there was a powerful Union senti- ment in Texas, and a willingness on the part of many true patriots to give Mr. Lincoln a fair trial in the Administration of the Federal Government. There was also a time when many of the best men in the country hoped that by energetic demon- stration they might bring about a reconstruction of the govern- ment, upon such principles as might guarantee the rights of the South. These times have passed by, while Union and recon- struction have become obsolete terms, or if ever mentioned it is only in reference to past events. If there is any -Union senti- ment in Texas, I am not apprised of it. When the millions of Persia invaded Greece, the Spartans were not more united in defence of their country and liberties than is Texas united in support of the Southern Confederacy. All the facilities of news- papers, with all arts which can be devised, will never be able to controvert one of these statements. The reasons are obvious. The people of the United States had been born and reared under the aegis of the Union, that Union was dependent on the con- stitution; and the adoption of it gave life, and the disregard of it has led to its destruction. Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet have usurped the powers of Congress, and have waged war against the sovereign States, and have thereby not only absolved the States, but all the people of the several States from their alle- giance to his government, the Federal Government having ceased to exist by his acts of usurpation. He has, through his officers, suspended the writ of habeas corpus, the bulwark of American liberty, and proclaimed martial law in sovereign States. If I am to rely upon the current intelligence of the day, he has,
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