Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/238

 relentless tomahawk and scalping-knife, it seems to me that the charge that I have stooped to court favor by the expression of my sentiments on this question, is one which falls harmless at my feet. I hardly know what to think of the gentleman's remarks as to catering for the Presidency. Of the 'Know Nothings' I know nothiing. If the object of those to whom the Senator from Iowa has referred is to prevent men of infamous character and paupers from coming here, I agree with them. I would say, establish a law requiring every person from abroad, before being received here, to bring an endorsement from one of our Consuls abroad, and produce evidence of good character from the place, whence he emigrates, so that when he comes here we may receive him into full communion with all the rights guaranteed to him by the laws which may exist at the time of his emigration. When the Senator from Iowa supposes that I would cater for the Presidency of the United States he does me great injustice. I would not cater for any office beneath Heaven But, sir, I know one thing; if it were to be thrust upon me, I should make a great many changes in some small matters."

The "Life of Houston," issued at that period, contained ex tended speeches bearing on Indian affairs made by him in the Senate just at that juncture. Among these lengthy speeches the following utterances are worthy of enduring record. On the 29th January, 1855, Houston in the Senate argued: "They are a people isolated in their interests, and solely dependent for protection and justice upon the Government of the United States. The Indians have been charged with an aggressive and hostile spirit toward the whites; but we find, upon inquiry, that every instance of that sort which has been imputed to them has been induced and provoked by the white man, either by acts of direct aggression upon the Indians, or by his own incaution, alluring them to a violation of the security of the whites." After citation of numerous instances, in which he alludes to early days, Houston said: "The course which has been pursued, since the days of William Penn to the present moment, has not been entirely successful in conciliating the Indians. But under the management of Washington, of the first Adams, of Madison, of Monroe, of the second Adams, of Jackson, and of Polk, we have, with few exceptions, been very successful in maintaining peace with them. The suggestions made by our fathers in relation to their civilization and humanization are exemplified and illustrated in the present condition of the southern tribes, who have received the greatest benefits of the light shed on them; and they have responded to it by the cultivation of mind, by the development of resources, both physical and intellectual, which reflect lustre on their character.

"When Texas was annexed to the United States, these Indians, on account of faith having been maintained with them by the then Executive of Texas, refused to meet and confer with the