WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1846
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this honorable body to which they were entitled; and the infer- ence is clear, that the Senate, to maintain its peaceful character in her estimation, should have rendered a decided opposition to the recommendations of the Executive. In corroboration of this, the article proceeds to ·say: "In the House of Representatives a similar spirit prevailed, and no meetings out of doors, were held for the purpose of check- ing the warlike policy of Polk, or giving the least encouragement to those who wished for peace." If England should expect popular meetings to be held in this country for the purpose of encouraging the abandonment of our national rights, or withholding a proper support from the Execu- tive in his recommendations in vindication of the national in- terests and character, she may rest assured that she has formed an unfair estimate of the popular sentiment of America. I read further: "From the commencement of this unfortunate business we have been fully convinced that Polk and the war party had made up their minds for extremities, not from a hasty view of the question, but from the entire system of government, now unfortunately so popular in that country. Extension of territory seems to be the ruling passion of the present race. The inhabitants adjoining the lakes and the British territories on the northeast have for many years kept a longing eye on Canada, and only bide their · time. In the South aggression is the order of the day, because the Mexicans cannot defend themselves. The tide is flowing in that quarter with fearful rapidity, and nothing but the enter- ference of European powers, so abominated by Mr. Polk, can prevent the whole of that rich country from being swallowed up by the Anglo-Saxon race. In the "\Vest the same spirit prevails, and California and Oregon are considered absolutely necessary to make the Union complete." It is true, sir, that such an opm10n is entertained by many enlightened statesmen of the present day, who think that such acquisitions are necessary to the United States, for the purpose of carrying out her destiny, and securing the peace of the con- tinent. Her enterprise, with the character of her population, and that of her institutions, would unite in the extension of human happiness, by reclaiming and improving those wilderness regions to the dominion of agriculture and the arts. Again, the writer says :
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