WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
402
the Congress purity of motive and honesty of purpose. He has sincerely lamented the existence of any cause, apparent or real, for the occasional disagreements which have occurred, and has deplored the necessity of resorting to the Executive veto to save the country from still greater evils. In the exercise of this power he was aware that two-thirds of the Legislature could correct any error he might commit; and that beyond them stood the Judiciary, as the final umpire to decide between him and them and preserve the Constitution inviolate. I have now no reason to conceal the convictions of my judg- ment 01· the feelings of my heart. I stand here not to ask the concurrence of any branch of the Government in any of my acts, but to declare, in all sincerity, that the differences to which I have alluded, and the necessity for which I truly regret, arose on my part from a patriotic conception of duty. I may have been mistaken. In my retirement, therefore, I take with me no animosities. If ever they existed they are buried in the past; and I would hope that those with whom it was my lot to come in conflict, in the discharge of my official functions, will exercise toward my acts and motives the same degree of candor. In leavi;g my station, I leave the country tranquil at home, and, in effect, at peace with all nations. If some annoyances still exist on the frontier, it will be remembered that it has taken years to attain our present position. The savage hordes by whom we have been molested, have at length, by the policy I have pursued with constancy, become generally peaceful. The occa- sional difficulties which arise are not to be compared with those of former days. It is not reasonable to suppose that a work of so great mag- nitude and importance could be accomplished in a little while. Some twelve or fourteen different tribes of Indians, not harmon- izing among themselves, and accustomed to depredate upon all around them, had long carried on hostilities upon our borders, and despoiled us of our citizens. With them we have at last, I trust, succeeded in establishing a lasting friendship. Otfr foreign relations, so far as the United States, France, England, Holland, and some of the principal States of Germany are concerned, are of the most agreeable character, and we have every assurance of their continuance. As to Mexico, she still maintains the attitude of nominal hos- tility. Instructed by experience, she might be expected to have become more reasonable; but the vain-glorious and pompous
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