Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/322

 than they could be at a point as remote from the seaboard, and as much detached from the body of settlements and the mass of population as the city of Austin. Should any occasion arise for the concentration of all the effective force of the country at some particular point on the frontier, the fact of the location of the seat of government at a point so much exposed would necessarily draw off considerable strength from the action, and perhaps more valuable service in another quarter, to guard the archives against either Mexican or Indian enemies. This embarrassment would be obviated by its location at some interior situation, where it would be secure from danger and alarm, accessible to intelligence, and convenient for its dissemination throughout the country. During the last year, the expense to the Government for transportation to the city of Austin, over and above what it would have been to any point on the seaboard, exceeded seventy thousand dollars; and the extra cost of transportation of the mail, aside from all other expense and inconvenience attending its remote and detached situation, amounts to many thousands more.

If we are to remain in our present unsettled condition, it is of the utmost importance that the seat of government be established at some point convenient for the speedy and efficient transaction of the public business.

From the insecurity of the public records, the Executive was induced to the adoption of the course which he has pursued; and it being in accordance with the dictates of the Constitution and his own judgment, he sees no reason to revoke the decision, or yield to the illegal resistance which has been offered to the execution of his orders by an association who constituted them.selves a committee to contravene and obstruct the performance of his constitutional duty.

Unfortunately for the peace and the welfare of the community, no law has yet been passed defining the offense of insurrection. In view, therefore, of the condition of things as they have existed, and to some extent still exist, it is hoped the attention of Congress will be directed to this subject. Whilst persons are permitted to resist the laws in existence, and to act with impunity in open defiance of them, obstructing the civil functionaries of the Government in the discharge of their legal and constitutional duties, the rights of individuals must be sacrificed, their lives and persons rendered insecure, and anarchy triumph over order. The Congress has the power of remedying these evils by the enactment of necessary and salutary laws, the omission to do which can not have any other effect than to license and increase evils already existing to an alarming extent.

It is to be hoped that, under no circumstances whatever, will the courts of justice be suspended in the exercise of their appropriate jurisdiction, but that they will maintain their influence by holding their regular sessions, and being at all times prepared to punish those who may violate the laws. In the opinion of the Executive, nothing is better calculated to strengthen the social and political bonds which should unite the members of a community, one with another, than the maintenance of an able, honest, and independent judiciary. If the Congress resolves upon the prosecution of active war, it might be well, where individuals were actually engaged in the service, to suspend civil process as to them, so long as they are absent in the discharge of public or official duty, but no longer.

In thus discharging the duty which this occasion has devolved upon me, I have submitted for your consideration what I conceived of the highest