Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/341

 of inflicting punishment for their infraction is certainly a poHtical paradox. The Constitution and laws recognize the offenses of treason, insurrection, mutiny, and sedition; but the Congress has never appropriated anything to their commission. Resistance to the execution of a law by persons associated for the purpose is sedition, and individuals setting themselves up in armed bodies in defiance of the laws, and with a view of preventing their operation, is insurrection. That acts of this character have been committed to no inconsiderable extent is well known in the Republic. They have a deleterious effect upon our character abroad as a nation, and produce distrust as to our capability of self-government. It is within the power of Congress to define these offenses, affix the proper penalties, and authorize the officers entrusted with the execution of the laws to punish oftenders in a speedy and certain manner. It may become necessary to our national existence that these things should be corrected; and it is also due to the peaceful and law-abiding citizen that his rights should be protected and his person secure under the shield and operation of the law. So long as he remains insecure, either in person or property, the strongest incentives to a patriotic course of conduct are wanting. The obligations existing between the Government and its citizens are reciprocal.

As it is impossible to foretell the result of the negotiations now pending between this country and Mexico, it is deemed prudent, and the Executive earnestly recommends to the honorable Congress, that a sufficient fund be placed at his disposal for any emergency that might require the hostile action of the Government. And he would likewise recommend that such laws be enacted as will enable him to reclaim the public property and arms which have been from time to time issued to individuals, and which are now scattered throughout the Republic.

He would also further recommend, during the progress of the negotiations alluded to, that a force be maintained at such point, or points, on our frontier, as may be necessary for preserving order, and suppressing any irregularities or disturbances which might arise from the acts of unauthorized persons within the territory unoccupied by either of the parties concerned in those negotiations. A correct policy dictates the propriety of preventing for the future, as far as practicable, the existence of the bands of robbers which have heretofore frequented that district of country. An estimate of the amount for this service will be furnished.

For the last two years, the officer acting upon our southwestern frontier has rendered the most important services to the country—and even more than could have been expected, from the limited means appropriated to sustain him. But five hundred dollars were given by the last Congress for the support of the force under his command. This was totally inadequate; and debts were necessarily contracted which, when the services rendered are taken into view, are of an inconsiderable amount, for the payment of which it is hoped the Congress will readily make the requisite appropriation.

The Executive, during the present session, will lay before the honorable Congress a system of internal improvements, which will embrace the removal of obstructions in our rivers, as well as the construction of roads and the erection of bridges, the want of which operates as an almost insuperable barrier to the planting interests of the country in the transportation of their crops to market. The facilities possessed by Texas for works of this character will enable us to