Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/317

 destitute of the means for efficient and protracted service. The result was, they returned to their homes, and the orders of the Government were not executed.

Before the excitement incident to this incursion had subsided in the community, the pompous declaration of the self-created potentate of Mexico had reached our shores, denouncing the subjugation of Texas, and lavishing upon its Government and people unmeasured abuse. Disregarding all the pledges which he had voluntarily made of a friendly disposition toward the recognition and establishment of our rights, he evinces, upon his assumption of power, the most malignant hostility toward our country', and holds out the idea of immediate invasion and " molestation."

It is not for us to act upon the supposition that this declaration, deliberately made by him while in supreme authority, was intended merely to give him a temporary popularity at home and to furnish a pretext for levying contributions and maintaining a large standing army, for the purpose of establishing himself permanently in the possession of usurped power and securing the means of oppressing his countrymen, or that it was designed only to embarrass our intercourse and relations with other countries, and, if possible, in that way retard the prosperity of Texas. But we are to regard, with peculiar vigilance and attention, our internal safety and well-being, as well as our foreign relations, and secure ourselves in season against every contingency which might arise from his threats. Our past and present position toward Mexico are matters which can not be viewed with indifference or contemplated with apathy.

If it be within the power of the nation, it is indispensable that protection be given to the frontiers. Our citizens have been and are still liable to continual annoyances from the enemy. No formidable invasion, it is true, has been attempted since 1836; nor do I believe they will be ever able to effect its accomplishment. But though this is my firm conviction, I am nevertheless equally satisfied that they will interpose every impediment to the peace, prosperity, and settlement of our frontier. I esteem it, therefore, the high and imperious duty of those to whom the Government of the country is confided, to adopt such a course of policy as will effectually counteract the designs of Mexico. The question then arises, are we capable, with the resources at our command, of preventing these evils; and if so, shall those resources be employed for that object?

From the circumstances which have transpired, the Executive was induced to believe that it was now quite time to adopt and pursue such a course of policy as will secure to us peace and the recognition of our independence. Under the conviction that immediate invasion was meditated, he felt himself fully authorized, under existing laws, to invite emigrants from the United States with a view of giving protection to our advanced settlement; and, so far as he had power, and even beyond the means afforded him by Government, he has proceeded in the organization of the militia, so as to place them in the best possible condition to prosecute a war, should the honorable Congress deem it necessary or expedient to adopt such a course. At an early day it is expected that the proper department will be prepared to report the condition of the militia.

Emigration, to some extent, has been the consequence of the invitation of the Executive; and thus far, the emigrants have been sustained almost entirely by private contributions. That they can be any longer supported without the action of the Government, can not be expected. No matter how great the feeling of patriotism may be, nor how strong the conviction on the frontier of the