WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
438
TO MESSRS. LUBBOCK, HENDERSON, SNEED, AND OTHERS 1
Houston, October 19th, 1843.
Gentlemen: - I thank you for your kind favor of the 18th jnstant, with which I have just had the pleasure to be presented. The expression of your sentiments is peculiarly gratifying to me - your prompt and hasty welcome is no less agreeable. You have been pleased to advert to the assaults that have been made upon my motives and character in the discharge of the high official trust which has been delegated to me by my fellow citizens. That my motives should be understood was not to be expected, because the promulgation of my reasons and the various causes of action would necessarily have defeated the very object most de- sirable to the prosperity of my country. It is the attribute of ignorance to denounce every thing as vicious or absurd which it cannot comprehend- it is the attribute of passion to remain blind to the influence of reason and to clamor from a want of under- standing. For my motives as well as my actions I am always responsible to my fellow-citizens. If the discharge of my duty is not com- mensurate with the true interests of my country, I am responsible to its Constitutional tribunal, and to the opinions of my fellow- citizens. If ignorance has assailed me, or malignity traduced my reputation, it has been but of temporary existence, and will only bring confusion upon my defamers. I need not have been anxious to have ascertained the motives of my adversaries, they were manifest. The virulent and unfounded attacks of foreign as well as domestic newspapers prove that there was a combination of faction to embarrass the Executive of the country in the admin- istration of the laws, and secure to anarchy and insubordination a triumph. No epithets too base, no subterfuge too degrading, could be found in the catalogue of party rancor or of factious slander in denouncing me for motives which I never entertained, and ascribing to me actions which I never perpetrated. The good will, patriotism, and constancy of my fellow-citizens have sus- tained me, and my constant endeavors shall be by my fidelity to their cause, not to disappoint their anticipations for our country's prosperity, and for the future generations. I desire that you will be assured that I do not dread the most minute investigation into any official act of my life, nor will I ever commit one that will inspire the apprehension of exposure. I will never assume
Powered by FlippingBook