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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
But, sir, I cannot perceive how popularity would be won in this way. It is a trifling matter, so far as we are concerned; but I find that gentlemen deem it a matter of interference with their personal convenience, because the proper distribution of these seeds occupies time and attention. I have never devoted so much time heretofore as I have at this session to this duty, because I have had very many solicitations for these seeds that I have desired to comply with. I have not only been written to for them from my own State, but even from the State of Maine; and I was anxious to comply with the requests of my friends who sent for them. I consider the sacrifice on my part as very little, compared to the rational gratification of the desires of persons who wished to obtain them; and therefore I cheerfully complied, although it took a little time. I am not a fashionable man, who, when the Senate is not sitting, wish to occupy all my time at parties, smiling and bowing, and making my devoirs to the ladies. I have attained to that period ·of life when my notions are becoming like myself-a little old-fashioned; and I have not the facilities and attractions I might have formerly possessed, and that other gentlemen now possess, offering strong inducements to enter into competition with the gay and gallant, and therefore I can devote time to this purpose. It has been repeated again that these seeds incumber the mails. I think that is a mistake. The contractor is bound to carry what is put in the mail, and he obtains no additional price for anything that is put in. He has to comply with his contract, by transport- ing what is given to him to carry, under a specific contract, with- out any contingent additional expenses to the Government. I shall not now investigate the constitutionality of these ex- penditures. When I came here under a Democratic Administra- tion, I found the custom existing in Washington at that time, as well as I recollect. I then commenced the distribution of these seeds, and I have continued it up to the present time. Never before do I recollect having heard a complaint that it was uncon- stitutional. In fact, sir, I never knew that it was an article of the Democratic faith to adhere to the Constitution in all circum- stances. I thought they had repudiated the Constitution, sub- stituted therefor a principle which I have never yet fallen into; and every four years they reestablish a principle that I do not see recognized in the Constitution; at least, it is not specifically authorized-I mean the platform system. That is now adopted, and it has been adopted within my recollection, and not a great many years since. It met the direct discountenance of a man whose
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