WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
519
harmony with the Constitution and the Union. I have faith enough in the masses, to believe, that they will appreciate a confidence in their power of self-government and that ere the fatal hour to our liberties shall come, they will, moved by a sense of danger, take the control of the nation from the hands of designing politicians. The fact is current that the people are ignored entirely by politicians, when the chances of Presidential candidates are summed up, and he who has at his command, the greatest number of clique leaders, is regarded as certain of a nomination. This is not to be attributed either to the failure of republican principles of government, or a want of patriotism, on the part of the people. The pri~ciples maintained by Jackson and his compeers are eternal. They may slumber while the war of fac- tions is going on. The serpent of sectionalism may crawl stealthily toward the altar of our liberties; but when its head is raised to strike down the Constitution, and perhaps alas! not until then, the patriotism of Jackson, will, evl!n from his grave awaken, and arouse the people to a sense of their danger.- Troublous times are coming, when, unless the people, in the maj- esty of their nationality, go forth to battle against corrupt cliques and ambitious agitators, the days of the Republic will be num- bered. Had I for a moment supposed that the Convention system would ever have degenerated to its present condition, I certainly never would have entered one. They are now inconsistent with the genius of our government. If it is to be conducted upon principles of self-government, it pre-supposes capacity sufficient for that purpose and that there is a public sentiment, which when properly expressed, is to form a rule of action. There must be some mode, by which that public sentiment shall be expressed, it is true; but Conventions having failed to express it, we must look to the ballot box. In the formation of conventions, public sentiment is not regarded, nor expressed; but cliques and manage- ment and chicanery are resorted to as substitutes for it. It is declared by the advocates of Conventions, that their object is to give expression to the popular will; but the effect, as well as the design is, to control the popular action. Hence it is, that the highest privilege of a freeman, is consigned to the keeping of a few crafty and designing politicians. Thus, nominations are made and platforms originate and are declared the only orthodox
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