The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VII

201

WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859

carried on the slave-trade until recently-and I brand that as an act of unmitigated infamy; but it was done first by others. Slavery has descended to us; it is necessary, and we must main- tain it; but does it conflict with the well-being of northern gentle- men and northern society that the South bear it? We are told that it is a calamiy and misfortune to us. Then, let us bear our misfortunes alone. We have not asked for intervention, nor can we permit it. it is requiring too much. Have I ever sought to drive slavery into your communities? Have I ever sought to ex- tend its limits or to trench on any one of the established principles of gentlemen who think differently on this subject from myself? I have not sought to thrust it down their throats; but I have determined always to maintain it like a man, and to vindicate the rights that exist with us. You never hear me talk of "southern rights." The South has no rights but what belong also to the North; nor has the North any rights but what belong to the South. The North has ex- cluded slavery; the South retains it. The North did it because exclusion was their interest; the South retained it because that is their interest. All the States have equal rights. You, gentle- men of the North, have the right to .adopt slavery when you please. We have the right to abolish it when we please. You have the right to abolish it, and we the right to adopt it. Our rights are reciprocal under the Constitution. We hold no rights that are southern, that are not northern; but "southern rights" is a cant phrase, calculated to inflame the popular min:l, and create an alienation of feeling, as though the South was, in interest, antagonistic to the North, and the North to the South. Allay these reflections, gentlemen; hush them up; cure and heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon the nation; give harmony to it, and you will give stability to our institutions. God has given us everything that is necessary to make us happy, a great and mighty nation; and oh, let us not be laggard in the generous race of emulation to honor His works. [Mr. Douglas spoke, and there was a colloquy between Houston and Iverson about disunion sentiments.] Mr. Houston. I believe that it is the usual time for adjourn- ment; however, I wish to make some remarks on this subject. [January 13.] Mr. President, if it had not been for the late- ness of the hour last evening, at which the honorable Senator from Georgia [Mr. Iverson] concluded his remarks, I should then have taxed the Senate for a short time; but as the'usual hour had

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