Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/254

 Mr. Banton said: ": As announced in the resolutions which have been read from the clerk's desk, Gen. Sam Houston is no more. A great man has fallen. Texas' most distinguished citizen has ceased to exist among us, and it is but fitting and just that we, the representatives of the people, should betoken the high esteem in which he was held by them; and give expression to that deep feeling of regret which pervades the whole country in consequence of its great bereavement. As the representative of the county of his residence, and as his friend and admirer, I feel it incumbent on me to bespeak for the resolutions the favorable consideration of the House. And in doing so I will not presume, sir, on the intelligence of this honorable and enlightened body, by attempting even an epitome of the history of the life, character, and public services of a man whose name is as familiar as household words, even to the very children of the most obscure hamlets of the State, and whose fame is coextensive with civilization itself. His deeds, which constitute the history of his life, at the same time constitute a very large, important, and inseparable portion of the history of the country. To know the history of the one is in a very great measure to know the history of the other. And while those deeds, both military and civil, have made his renown and given immortality to his name, they have gilded his country's history with undying glory. Under his leadership in the field, Texans acquired a reputation for chivalry, daring, gallantry, and all that's glorious in war, which their indomitable descendants and successors in this second struggle for liberty and independence with pride emulate. His civil deeds in the legislative and administrative departments of Government have not been less distinguished, and contributed no less to his own renown and the greatness of the State. I believe, sir, I do no injustice to the distinguished living or dead of this State when I say Sam Houston was the most remarkable man known to its history. May I not safely assert that his life is more fruitful of remarkable and thrilling events and incidents than that of any other man of his generation? Profound, far-seeing, and comprehensive in statesmanship; bold, daring, glorious in war; a dear lover of peace, with wonderful capacity to enjoy private life and the family circle, he combined all the elements necessary to constitute him truly a great man. Such, sir, is the man whom Texas has the honor of claiming as her own, and whose death we now lament. And though he leaves an enduring monument of his greatness and worth in the history of his country and the affections of his countrymen, yet I would it were in our power at this time to erect a material monument, towering and colossal, like the majestic form of him in whose honor it is reared, as a token of that high esteem in which he was held by the people of the State. And I indulge the hope that the day is not far distant, when grim-visaged war will depart, and smiling peace, with her attendant innumerable blessings, will return to make the heart to rejoice and crown the land with plenty—when a grateful and liberal people can rear to the memory of Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston, twin brothers in the glorious struggle for Texan independence, two lofty monuments whose majestic proportions shall be fit representatives of these noble heroes, towering above all else, the ornaments and pride of the State, perpetual remembrancers of the noble deeds of noble patriots, serving to stimulate the laudable ambition of the aspiring youths of the State through many generations.

"Sir, I was with Gen. Houston in his last illness and in his last moments on