203
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
sheet-anchor of our safety and our national grandeur and pros- perity. .If for that I have been stricken down, I rejoice at it; I shall consider myself a blessed martyr; and I should endure that martyrdom a thousand times were the alternative submitted to me of office or abandonment of the Union. But, sir, the Senator suspects that I or any southern man who advocates and sings peans to the Union is in pursuit of the Presidency. I can assure the honorable gentleman that it is the last thing in the world that I would accept, if it were tendered to me; and for his satisfaction, that he may not hereafter antici- pate any rivalry on my part, in any aspirations that he may have, I withdraw myself from all competition by the assurance, that if every political party of this Union were to tender to me this day the nomination for the Presidency, I would respectfully decline it. I have higher, nobler, tenderer duties to perform. I have to create a resting place for those who are dear to me as the people of this Union, and who form part of them. These are the duties that I have to perform. If there is aught of public service that remains to me unfinished, I am not apprised of it. My life has been meted out to sixty-five years; and forty-five years of that life devoted to my country's service, almost con- tinuously, should entitle me to an honorable discharge. I claim that discharge from my country. I claim that, having performed every duty which devolved upon me with fidelity, I ought to be permitted to retire from this Chamber in ac~ordance with my heartfelt desires, with a constitution, thank God, not much im- paired, and with clean hands and a clean conscience, to the retirement where duties are demanded of me as a father. So, the defeat of which he speaks was no disappointment; and, by way of explanation, that the gentleman may be more perfectly satisfied with my position, I will say, that had my lamented and honorable colleague, General Rusk, remained with us, by the providence of God, on the 4th of March last, I should have vacated my seat and retired to the walks of private life. A man who has combatted so many difficulties as myself, who has been engaged in constant commotion, in turbulance, and in scenes of upheaving difficulties, should seek a respite at the close of his life, .if his span should be meted out a few years, to create a home- stead for his family, and place of rest for himself. So, sir, I hope the gentleman, on this point, will be perfectly satisfied that I have no aspirations ungratified; I have no expectations, as a recom- pense, to look for, for my devotion to the Union. It is an inherent
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