Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/199

Rh of the State in the two Houses of Congress. His remonstrance was warm; and hence the challenge, presented in public. He had risked his life in defence of his country, and he could do no less in defence of his honor. Thank God," he added, "that my adversary was injured no worse."

This closing of the first stage of Houston's national career, as a calm review of the facts, indicated a moral courage and a true conscientiousness in his public bearing which reached a higher development in a future field. With noble impulses, with a daring and devotion equal to every emergency, his life, from thirty years of age to thirty-four, developed amid the turbulence of a new settlement, showed him worthy at this early age of being placed in the position of chief magistrate in a State crowded with adventurers and honored by the residence of citizens like his old commander, Jackson.

The two following incidents of the session of 1825-6, indicate the marked ability of Houston as a young Representative from a youthful State. In the pressure and heat of debate of a bill making appropriations for public buildings, discussion had continued till near midnight. Under that pressure the bill had passed by a bare majority, and several members had already retired. The Speaker was about to sign the bill when, as the record states, Mr. Houston objected to the signing, asking if a quorum were present. The Speaker said that, as there was a quorum when it passed the House, there could be no objection. Mr. Houston urged that the rules of both Houses forbade it. Mr. Everett, of Massachusetts, to meet the emergency, proposed a joint resolution that the rule be set aside so that the bill might be signed. A call of the roll showed that a quorum was not present. Mr. Polk, of Tennessee, as it was Saturday, May 27th, and past midnight, protested against any farther legislation as an infringement of the Sabbath-day and of statutes relating to it. Mr. McDuffie appealed to Houston to withdraw his objection, as it was but a matter of form. Houston assured the House that no desire for captious obstruction, but "conscientious scruples "as to the violation of law led to his act; and as proof of his sincerity, added, "I will with pleasure retire from the chamber while the bill is signed." Mr. McDuffie then began an argument to show that the Speaker might with propriety sign the bill; but the Speaker, having examined the rule, interrupted him to state that he was convinced he could not legally sign it. The efforts of the officers of the House had meanwhile secured a quorum; Mr. Everett's motion prevailed, the Senate concurred, the bill was signed according to law, and Houston's character was stamped for future success.