Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/132

 generous feelings have been enlisted on our behalf. We are cheered by the hope that they will receive us to participate in their civil, political, and religious rights, and hail us welcome into the great family of freemen. Our misfortunes have been their misfortunes—our sorrows, too, have been theirs, and their joy at our success has been irrepressible.

"A thousand considerations press upon me, each claims my attention. But the shortness of the notice of this emergency (for the speaker had only four hours' notice of the inauguration, and all this time was spent in conversation) will not enable me to do justice to those subjects, and will necessarily induce their postponement for the present. [Here the President, says the reporter, paused for a few seconds and disengaged his sword.] It now, sir, becomes my duty to make a presentation of this sword—this emblem of my past office. [The President was unable to proceed further; but having firmly clenched it with both hands, as if with a farewell grasp, a tide of varied associations rushed upon him in the moment, his countenance bespoke the workings of the strongest emotions, his soul seemed to dwell momentarily on the glistening blade, and the greater part of the auditory gave outward proof of their congeniality of feeling. It was in reality a moment of deep and painful interest. After this pause, more eloquently impressive than the deepest pathos conveyed in language, the President proceeded.] I have worn it with some humble pretensions in defence of my country,—and should the danger of my country again call for my services, I expect to resume it, and respond to that call, if needful, with my blood and my life."

Gen. Houston exhibited the broad national principles on which he intended to govern the country, and his political forecast by the first step which he took in his administration. He called to his Cabinet his two most important rivals for the Presidency. General Stephen F. Austin, the sagacious and incorruptible patriot, became Secretary of State. Ex-Provisional Governor Henry Smith became Secretary of the Treasury. The rancor of party abated under the high policy and magnanimity of these selections. They proved that, aiming at the public good. Gen. Houston had no party but his country—the whole country.

An old trunk contained all that was worthy to be regarded as the archives of an independent State. Chaos had reigned everywhere. The new Cabinet restored order. The death of Gen. Austin a few months after his accession to office was deeply regretted by the people. An upright, enlightened, patriotic man, he was beloved by Gen. Houston, who ever ascribed to him a position on the apex of the pillar of true glory.

Public business was done in an orderly and efficient manner as soon as Congress was completely organized. Houston found on his arrival at Columbia for inauguration that his former captive, Santa Anna, was retained about twelve miles from the seat of government, a prisoner, under a guard of twenty men. The captive president sent a message to the President-elect, desiring to see him.