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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
by Congress, of which there mains today not one bit of gold dust in the treasury of Texas. We gave them the means of controlling the political condition of that State, thinking we had placed men in power who had claims upon its confidence and respect. Whether it was a wayward fit, or whether it was a considered thing, I care not. It afforded me an opportunity of retiring to the situation that I desire; and it has bot alienated my affections in the slightest from the people of Texas. They have no honors to confer that I would accept; still, they are the people that I need not say that I love. I cherish them, and their interest is to me a dear interest, because with their destiny my posterity are identified. These are the reasons that control me, Mr. President, and they shall ever control me. These men had no power to inflict mortifi- cation on me, and their act was exceedingly grateful to me be- cause it solved a problem which had never been solved before. It had been insisted upon that Texas could not get along without my service; but they have demonstrated to me that they can get along without my services, and I am exceedingly glad ·of it, because it shows their increasing prosperity. [Laughter.] But, .sir, whilst the constitutional term which remains unexhausted to me shall endure, I will continue faithfully') to discharge my trust to them, and I have made a gain if they should perchance have made a loss, and I will avail myself of that advantage without leaving the Senate with a single regret, or, I hope, a harsh or ungentle feeling towards one gentleman within the scope of my view. I would not cherish a wish of unkindness to the honorable ·Senator from Georgia ; and if truthfully he can reconcile the course which he has adopted to himself, he will meet with no rebuke from me. But rebuke and vindication are different things. It is possible that I may be able to extend courtesy to the gentleman in my seclusion, or retirement at home, in my humble way of life-for none of the blandishments of wealth or elegance have ever surrounded me in life. Hardy and rugged m my nature, both physically and intellectually, I have always been ready to meet and combat the inconveniences of life. I have known how to abound, and I have known how to want. I have known what it is to feel exultation, and I have realized abasement. What- ever Providence has allotted me, that I have learned to be con- tented with, so long as my honor is untarnished. The honorable gentleman may find it, ere a single year runs out, convenient in an excursion to Texas, after some political events have taken place in Georgia, to call and spend a social time with me, realizing - ;: -
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