Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/276

 Webster and Calhoun. He thought for himself, thought closely; exercised his reasoning powers, and formed clear, cool, and calm judgments. He studied books little, but men much. He analyzed thoroughly the philosophy of events, and linked measures with their sequences.

2. He maintained a lofty independence of spirit. He was willing to concede to others all he claimed for himself. Capacity for independent thought is the first quality of a commander. No leader of public opinion was ever successful in impressing his ideas upon others who did not maintain some originality of thought, which is but another name for independence of idea. Gen. Houston had such independence of spirit that he would have reached the highest point of success in any walk or profession of life.

3. He had tfoe gift of prophetic political sagacity. Calhoun had this gift in a remarkable degree. Other statesmen of America have exhibited it, to the wonder of their contemporaries. Houston possessed it so remarkably, that there is hardly an instance in which he made a political prediction that the event did not correspond with his prediction. It so happened in all matters pertaining to the Republic, and it so happened in the contest between the States resisting or advocating secession from the Union.

4. He possessed administrative ability fitted for the grandest governments and the deepest problems of political economy. He investigated details, and grouped them into masses. He thought nothing unworthy of notice connected with the success of a measure or a plan. The beginning and the end he connected with unerring links. He could wait patiently to see the workings of any scheme. He came, almost by intuition, to the high capacity of a great executive officer. Contrasting measures, means and ends, it may be safely declared, that no American executive officer ever surpassed Gen. Houston. [ His administration during both terms of the Presidency of the Republic was signalized by extraordinary ability in regulating finances, and in establishing peaceful relations with foreign countries and the Indian tribes. His Indian correspondence is a marvel of sagacity and genius. His letters to Santa Anna are remarkable for point, sarcasm, clear detail of facts, and unbounded patriotism.

5. He was a soldier. Fear never blanched the cheek of Sam Houston. Dread of danger never dismayed his courageous soul nor withheld him from a peril for a right or liberty. His courage was the courage of a predetermined thought; resolved to make a sacrifice only with the highest possibility of a grand advantage. Had Gen. Houston risked an engagement with Santa Anna near Goliad, or at a period earlier than he did at San Jacinto, numbers