Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/159

Rh on a war, they had declared against a powerful and organized foe. The means to buy a pound of powder were not at the command of the President. He assured them, that if they would provide the means for a campaign, if necessary he would head it himself. No army could be prepared to take the field without money, and all attempts at hostilities without money—the true sinew of war—would only serve to bring universal contempt down upon the Republic of Texas. To confer unlimited powers upon the chief magistrate of the country was too dangerous to be established as a precedent. While they were warring against dictatorial powers in a neighboring State, he would never accept the prerogatives of a dictator. Universal calm succeeded the publication of the veto, and he now became the idol of the people who so recently had been covered with maledictions. Confidence was restored. Houston successfully crushed one open rebellion by going to the scene and calling out the militia. Desperadoes, finding that a man who could not be trifled with, was at the head of affairs, soon disbanded. With a new set of men in office, justice efficiently administered, and economy observed, the supremacy of law was again restored. And although an enormous debt had been imposed upon the country, which would take a long time to discharge, yet men began to feel again proud of their Government, as public credit was in process of restoration. Another important matter evinced the wisdom and magnanimity of the President. His first message after his inauguration had hardly been delivered, before the news arrived of the capture of the Santa Fé expedition. The fatal results of the policy of his predecessor were his first greeting in office. Immediately he began to plan for the redemption of the unfortunate men, who had been deluded away into the wilderness. The lives of Texan soldiers were as dear to him as if they had been his own children. To effect the liberation of the Santa Fe prisoners, he left no resource untried. He appealed to all friendly powers to mediate for their release. After the news of their capture had arrived, the Congress of Texas adjourned, without passing an act or resolution whereby the President might be aided in restoring them to their liberty. Having gone to Santa Fé in violation of the law of nations, and with no constitutional authority from their Government, they had been given up as doomed men. Thus they were thrown on Houston's hands. The terms of their capitulation was his only reliance. Even if they had been outlaws before, he insisted that their capitulation had brought them within the pale of civilized warfare. After a