WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
343
the Texas Republican, although both were first published in the Galveston Union, Flake's own paper. See The W1·itings, Volume VI, p. 192.
SPEECH AT NACOGDOCHES, JULY 9, 1859 1 Ladies and Fellow Citizens :-I congratulate myself today on being able once more to address you in Nacogdoches, and that so many of you should have gathered to hear me, is a compliment which I shall long remember. I am rejoiced also, because I shall have occasion to vindicate myself from foul aspersion and mis- representation, and to place myself in the true attitude before you. Two years ago when I addressed you, there sat at my right hand a patriot with whom I had enjoyed peculiar relations of friendship, and whose aid in many trying scenes of public danger had strengthened me and benefitted my country. He has departed, after having borne a share in the great events connected with the destiny of Texas,-after having rendered service which will make his memory treasured while Texas has a name, and Texians live, his career of usefulness was suddenly arrested. We met a loss which will tell upon the future of Texas. At the time when a sphere of usefulness, wider and more expansive than had before been within his 1·each, was ·opening out before him, through the vast development of our State, he was cut down. It is a solemn admonition to us who are living. When one upon whom rests, the affections and the hopes of the ·people yields to the great destroyer, who may hope to pass unscathed. Grateful for his public services, let Texas perpetuate his memory, even to the last generation. My position before the people has been the subject of so much criticism and misrepresentation, that justice alike to myself and to you, demands that I shall give a full, free and fair exposition of the views which I bear with me through this canvass, and upon which you are called to judge me. I am aware that there is a great diversity of opinion as to the bearing of my acts upon the welfare of the country. My career is not disconnected with his- tory, and though its future pages ~ay vindicate me, I desire to feel that in the eyes of the present generation, I am regarded as an honest man, and one who will not yield his country's good to promote his own ambition. The purity of my principles has been questioned. I am charged ·not only with being wrong, but wilfully wrong. The impulses of a generous heart would at least induce charity towards. an erring man, but while others are allowed to stray into strange paths, deserting principle and
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