WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-6
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it by all means in my power, consistently with honor and in- tegrity, yet we should be willing to encounter it rather than yield an inch in the maintenance of any ascertained right, either in- herent or resulting. But let me here ask, are we certain that concession even would secure peace with England? What nation is there that has ever grown or prospered, and become great without, encountering war? It would, indeed, be strange that if, in the present condition of the world, the United States could remain so distinguished as one of the great rival powers of the earth, an object of international envy, and yet escape the common calamities of nations. We cannot always expect to be free from war, which is inherent in the condition of nations. So strongly was this conviction impressed upon the mind of the illustruous Father of our country, that ere he departed he left, as a portion of the legacy bequeathed to his countrymen, the admonition growing out of his wisdom and experience-"in time of peace prepare for war." This warning should be born in mind. Washington knew well the springs of human action. He knew the passions and policy of nations, and that when it is ·desired to ascertain their character and objects, you have but to scan man in his social state in connexion with his fellow-man. There you obtain the elucidation. The passions of men are always employed for the benefit or detriment of each other. They have feelings and sympathies; passions to injure, and sympathies to relieve. But nations are not susceptible of the refined sensibilities of our nature which only exist in the social relations. Nations are but corporations on a magnificent scale- cold as Iceland in their calculations; heartless as marble in their conclusions. In their cabinets everything is done to procure certain results. They care nothing for the calamities they may entail on other nations. Think you that the British ministry feel sympathy with the millions of India whom they have slaughtered or enslaved? Have they tears to shed with the widows and orphans of the Sikhs, so lately slaughtered in their battles? No. Yet acts such as these are evidences of the sympathies of nations. Nay, it is evidence of their ministerial spirit of compromise. I trust, however, it is a spirit of compromise never to be extended by England to this country; and yet the same love of aggrandize- ment which has directed her policy in India will undoubtedly characterized her measures towards the United States-the in- crease of power and extension of dominion. I sincerely desire peace, but how are we to secure it? Will it be attained by permitting this question to fester in the public
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