552
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
over Mexico? Politicians may shirk the issue; but destiny will force it on our people.-It cannot be averted. It is our duty to civilization, to stay the hand of rapine and murder in that country and to establish regulated government there. It is our interest to put its resources in process of development and open the country to trade and commerce. Cursed by anarchy, its vast wealth lies dormant. Establish order and its beautiful vallies, [sic] will give forth abundance, its hidden mineral wealth be revealed. Our security alike points to this, as the only mode by which we will be free from· the invasion of bandits or the con- centration of influence there, inimical to us as a nation.-Looking upon this, as the true policy of the United States, I believe that statesmen should lend their efforts to effect a consummation so desirable to humanity, so important to our safety. If not done legitimately, and under the National auspices, the restless spirit of our people cannot be restrained; but it will push westward and accomplish that which timid politicians dare not achieve. Surrounded by the minions of party, tied to a meaningless platform, compelled to consult the success of the party, rather than the welfare of the country, what humiliation would fall upon a man of nerve and patriotism? And should he attempt to act as duty would dictate, and Sampson like, break the withes that bound him, no malignity has yet been invented, which would ex- ceed the hostility with which those who but yesterday sought his favor, would pursue him. What hope can the country have for that great enterpr[i]se, a Pacific railroad, so long as the present thirst for spoils, controls politics and all the wants of the country are made subservient to slavery agitation? What guarantee for protection can the citi- zens of our border have, so long as sectiorialism arrays the people of the North and South in conflict, and they are taught to regard each other as enemies? What hope for American expansion, for the progress of American liberty, can fill the heart of a patriot, as he beholds the only land where f~eedom has maintained an existence, given over to sectional strife? Foreign vessels may insult our flag, as they have done, they may fire into our vessels within sound of our forts, they may build up a strength at our very doors, and while the great heart of the nation is struggling for utterance, throbbing wildly at the remembrance of the wrong, the National pride must be humbled, or vent itself upon some sickly fifth-rate power, because the counsellors whom party has forced upon the President, have not the courage to stand boldly
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