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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
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her public assemblages. There is a gallant yoemanry, a chivalrous and generous population, whose hardy hands are adapted as well to toiling for the procurement of the necessaries of life and. the nurture of their families as they are to the application of arms to vindicate their rights. They are the men whose voice will be heard when you carry the que.~tion of Union or disunion to their homes in their peaceful cabins, with their little yards surrounded by their domestic animals, and all those things that are dear to them. Then they will speak of the Union, and they will think of it; and when they contemplate their comforts which they have, and know how uncertain these would be if they were to cast all to the issue of anarchy, they will stand by the Union. Mr. President, I said that I would not take up the time of the Senate, nor have I any disposition to do so, but I do say that my opposition to the Miss0uri compromise was the best act of my life. My life has been ~ long and varied one. The only achieve- ment that has brought sorrow to my heart was, that I was not able to defeat that fatal measure which was fostered by dema- gogues, originated in ambition, and was intended for no valuable interests of the country, but to unite the South, and with the votes of a few scattering States, make a· President, and continue party succession. That was th~ iniquity of it. I said then that the oldest man living at that time might say that he had seen the commencement of trouble, but that the youngest child then born would not see the end of calamities which would result to the South from that measure if it was adopted. It was adopted, and what has been the result? That is a subject on which I have nothing to say. My actions may speak of what I think of it; but I do not desire any misapprehension of my motives, or of my conduct to be entertained. Whenever a gentleman presents him- self who has given stronger assurance of patriotic devotion to his country than I have done to the Union and to the Constitution, and to every section of the United States, then, I will defer to him, and hear a rebuke for the sentiments which have been nourished and cherished in my heart while living, and will be buried with me unless they ascend to a higher destiny. [Mr. Clay made a scathing reply, calling Houston the trumpeter of his own fame, and deriding him for his action concerning the Missouri compromise, declaring that Houston's action on that measure had cost him the confidence oi his constituency, etc.] Mr. President, I am as opposed to the extremely improper senti- ments uttered in the North, as I am to those of like kind uttered
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