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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
60
hand. I have no fear of that kind; but there is a more fearful and terrible influence at work now. That influence is felt here; it is felt at the other end of the Capitol; it is felt throughout all the veins of society; every artery thrills with it, and every nerve vibrates to its touch. It is the increase of officers in the Army, ,vhose friends rally to their rescue if aught should menace their continuance in the service. It is the influence of friends, those who have relatives in the Army, on the Representatives at the other end of this Capitol, and operating upon Senators through the Legislatures of States, that is to subvert this Government at some future day. They are now becoming sufficiently numerous to form . a privileged class in society, and that is never favorable to the perpetuity of free institutions; it never will sustain this country; but it will sap the foundations by degrees; and every increase you bring to the regular Army is but adding to the insidious influence that is to undermine the institutions of the country. That is what I contend against. It is what I will always contend against. This is the result of no mawkishness; but, looking into the vista of future time, I perceive an influence which has grown into importance, obscured in its outset, but manifest in its terrible developments to this nation, when even Congress will legislate to contribute to its grandeur and its elevation. Yes, sir, that is what I dread and what I apprehend. I Ehall not live to see it, but others will witness the melancholy catastrophe that awaits this country; and gradually, in its progress, you must arrest it. I would stop here. Your fortresses can be well kept up by your regular Army now in service; but I tell you, Mr. President, whenever war comes, and your national honor has to be suEtained and defended; it has to be done by the volunteers of the country-the heart and soul of this nation; for when have your institutions or your national honor been assailed or invaded when the great national heart did not throb and send a force through the arteries of this nation to every extremity, that called forth the volunteer men of the nation to vindicate your honor and defend your rights? Had you any example of delinquency on their part, you might distrust them; but as long as they are faithful to your banners, as long as they bear your eagles aloft, as they have already done, rely upon them as the great saving principle of liberty and the continuance of your institutions. But yield not to mercenaries who by accident are thrown upon our soil, forming our rank and file in the Army, who have no sentiments of nationality with us, and who only as mercenaries fight or act-men who have no national soul about them, but merely contribute to numbers without that chivalry,
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