Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/147

Rh of all really great minds in Church and State. The same clique who refused him removal from the battle-field of San Jacinto, bleeding and comfortless, to the steamer which might bear him to remedies and recovery, busied themselves to undermine a castle which they could neither rear nor overthrow. Fruitless in efforts in thwarting his policy in detail, they cemented themselves in one grand organization for his destruction. But as their efforts were failures, so let the story and chronicle of their doings be transferred to the oblivion to which all such factions belong.

So warmly was Houston's conduct approved by the people, that, had he been eligible to the Presidency for the next term, he would have been the almost unanimous choice of the people. The second section of the third article of the Constitution of the Republic declared that "The first President elected by the people shall hold his office for the term of two years, and shall be ineligible during the next succeeding term."

Just before the election of his successor occurred, the two other candidates for the succession (James Collinsworth and Peter W. Grayson) died by suicide, and no other candidate was brought forward at this late period for the suffrages of the people. Under these circumstances, Mirabeau B. Lamar was elected to the Presidency, receiving 6,995 votes out of a total vote of 7,247. Some supposed, that with Houston's departure from office, his power with the people would be lost. A vast concourse, larger than ever had been assembled before in Texas, gathered to witness the closing scenes of his administration and the inauguration of a new President. The Inauguration Committee had made no arrangements on their programme for the delivery of his valedictory address. The assembled multitude, in a burst of indignation, clamored for the hero of San Jacinto. He came forward to the front of the Capitol. A wild shout of enthusiasm rent the sky as the people gazed upon his lofty, ample, and heroic form, relieved against the portrait of George Washington, which was suspended behind him.

For three hours he held the thousands before him under the force of his impetuous eloquence. The scroll of the history of Texas was unrolled, her future policy was portrayed; her future destiny, if a sound policy was pursued, was set forth in prophetic speech. Good faith with all nations was solemnly enjoined, individual and national economy was inculcated, the cultivation of peace with the Indians was earnestly urged, and the people were warned against faction and the rancor of party spirit. Instead of vesting hopes in annexation or treaties, he implored the people to rely on their own public and private virtue, and be magnanimous