WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1842
120
country, they would find it very onerous to advance money for such a privilege. The assurance again recurs, that the govern- ment has not one cent to advance to them, or means out of which the Executive could promise remuneration. Are means necessary to carrying out the powers ·with which the Executive is clothed by the bill? All must admit that they are. Does he possess any- are any at his disposition, or can he obtain any? The answer is he has none, and cannot obtain any. The bill proposes to place resources at his command; but no means, for the accomplishment of the objects for which it professes to make provision. By sanctioning the bill as a war measure, at this time, ,vhen no attempt has been made and could not for some time be made to obtain means would, to my mind, produce a most deleterious influence upon the country. A ·war of invasion would be the theme of continued conversation-a state of feverish excitement would exist throughout the country-general incertitude would pervade every class, and discontent would be universal. The ques- tion would be asked, what is the Executive doing? He has all power given to him, and immense resources placed at his disposal; when, therefore, will active operations commence? It would be needless for him to respond, that these resources are not means- that he has not a dollar to commence operations with, and that, therefore, his delegated powers are useless. The Executive has indeed a show of power, but he is helpless and destitute for the want of means. It would be vain for him to attempt an explanation in this state of embarrassment. Every one who was favorable to invasion would have a plan of a campaign, and let his exertions and zeal be what they might, the enthusiastic could never excuse him, and the reflecting portion of the community might find it impossible to justify his apparent apathy. To an Executive officer, no situa- tion could be more unhappy, or better calculated to render use- less, all his zeal and exertions in the administration of the government. To my mind, also, this bill, if passed, would have a tendency to impair the value and credit of our currency. It has been fully tested by experience, that an offensive war conducted by a nation, has always a prejudicial influence upon the value of its stocks, causing their certain depression. Instead of improving our credit, ·or giving value to our currency, it would impair the one and depreciate the other. We stand in the most vital need of their
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