William Carey Crane

“ We ask no assistance; we invoke the invasion of our enemies; and upon a well-arranged and well-fought field, we will stake our liberty. But compel our adversary to observe the rules of civilized warfare.' That was all we asked. The Government of the United States, acting upon its wise and prudent and proper policy, did not interfere."
On the 22d of December, Gen. Foote, of Mississippi, offered a resolution to this effect: "That the compromise measures of the last Congress shall be regarded a 'final adjustment' of the questions dividing the North and the South." ”

“ To gentlemen who differ from me as to the compromise measures, I say, 'Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' "He had devoted himself, he went on to say, to the business of the Senate; to legislation for the country; not to fixing political platforms. He had hoped sectional agitation was dying away. "Mr. Clay, author of the compromise measures, true to his spirit for a third of a century, is sick and kept from his seat. I have defended his action. The resolution of the Senator from Mississippi is unnecessary. ”

“ Mr. Houston said: 'Sir, you are welcome to the Senate of the United States.' Kossuth feelingly replied: 'I can only wish I had been as successful as you, sir.' To this Houston responded: 'God grant you may be, sir.'"
At a later period Houston said, explaining his course toward Kossuth:
"When the advent of the illustrious stranger, Kossuth, was announced, I was not captivated by his advent, Mr. President. A portion of my life had been spent among the Indians. ”

“ On the 8th February Houston spoke on the question of slavery in the Territories; alluding with much feeling to Mr. Calhoun, then detained from the Senate, and who died on the 31st March, a few weeks later; and he said it gave him pleasure to say he agreed with the eminent Senator from South Carolina on that question. Alluding, however, to Mr. Clemens of Alabama, who had spoken of the Union as already dissolved, he exclaimed:
"I deny the power of all the ultraists in the world to rend the Union in twain. ”

“ Fillmore was President, brought into the Senate an element counter to the spirit of compromise, ever maintained amid anti-slavery sentiment, by men like Webster. While Lynn Boyd, of Kentucky, was made Speaker of the House, and King, of Alabama, was chosen President of the Senate, Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, introduced a new antislavery antagonism into the debates of the Senate Chamber. Houston had, from the experience of the past, regarded the extreme Southern agitation, which threatened armed disunion, as a positive danger, to be met by earnest remonstrance ”

“ I could enforce the example upon every American heart that influences or is influenced by filial affection, conjugal love, or parental tenderness." He scorned the suggestion that Father Mathew had once spoken against slavery.
On the 14th January, 1850, Houston supported a resolution coming from the House of Representatives, providing that if the habitants of New Mexico, whose southern limit ran south of 36° 30', should prohibit the introduction of slavery, it should be no bar to the admission of the State into the Union. ”

“ Soon after the opening of the session, December 12th, a resolution extending hospitalities and a reception by the Senate to Kossuth, the exiled champion of Hungarian independence, was offered and passed. The grand form, the broad intellect, and the captivating eloquence of the Hungarian chief, made an unwonted appeal to the American people; always enthusiastic for leaders, either of popular liberty or of independent government. ”

“ In reply, on the 30th July, to Benton and Clay, he exclaimed: "Texas is not greedy; she only seeks to do her duty." On the 31st July he stated, that when New Mexico was ceded to the United States in 1848, Texas sent a judge to incorporate the inhabitants into the State of Texas.
On the 13th August, responding to Davis of Mississippi, and Clemens of Alabama, who opposed the admission of California, Houston spoke with warmth, opposing disunion sentiments. He said, for many months he had sat and listened to debates on this and kindred topics. ”

“ The only matter of importance which called out Houston to make a set speech during the remainder of the session, related to appointments and appropriations for the Indians. On a report made to the Senate, June 9, 1852, as to an incompetent Indian agent, Houston stated:
"These men are not accustomed to meet Indians. Texas, when independent, expended only $10,000 annually, and had peace. Now the United States expends $6,000,000 annually on the same border, and there is no protection. ”

“ Be truthful, be just, and they will honor our flag; and indeed, defend it."
This long and eventful session of Congress, like the two sessions of the previous Congress, owed much of its success to the heroic and patriotic course of Houston. During the month of August, Charles Sumner uttered the first of his "Philippics," so called because in style and manner they were studiously conformed to the rhetoric of Demosthenes' celebrated appeals against Philip, and of Cicero's rebukes against Cataline; as the very framing of the sentences of this anti-slavery leader revealed. ”

“ It is the duty of every friend of the Union to frown down any such means of action as this convention. As to Mississippi, my information is that not one-half of the counties were represented; that several counties represented were by proxies, and some were delegates constituted such by meetings of not exceeding eight or ten persons. ”

“ If the contending parties would only approach these questions in the spirit of the precept laid down by the Divine Mediator, 'As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them likewise,' it would be better for the country in all its sections, and for the people of all classes. ”

“ Sam Houston Senator for the term of six years, from March 4th ensuing; and expressing special confidence in his course on national issues; an annoucement which called forth a general murmur of satisfaction, both on the floor of the Senate and in the galleries. On the 23d February an appropriation for the removal of the Indians from Florida, called forth his usual intelligent and fixed views on the best modes of treating with the Indians. He remarked: "A regiment to hold an Indian tribe in subjection costs no less than $1,200,000 annually; whereas $10,000 to aid them would be more effective. ”