Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/499

 not one word of truth. If I catch a man in one mean thing I am willing to extend my suspicion to everything that he does. The course of the Senator on this point reminds me of a story which I heard of a manufacturer of Bologna sausages. An individual had a habit of loafing about his premises and eating his sausages until he became very troublesome, and the manufacturer thought it proper to give him a gentle intimation that he was rather too familiar, and that his services could be dispensed with. He went off, and immediately slandered the establishment. The manufacturer being informed of it, called upon him and told him that he had heard he was telling stories about his "sassenger" establishment. [Laughter.] He said, "I understand you have reported that my Bologna 'sassengers' are made of dog's meat." [Laughter.] He replied, "I never reported any such thing." "Well," said the man, "I am exceedingly glad of it, because I heard that you had done so; but if you say that you have not, it is sufficient." He said, "I did not say it, but I will tell you what it was that I did say. I said that where Bologna sassengers were plenty dogs were scarce." [Laughter.]

Now, Mr. President, how was it with the venerable Senator from Delaware? He would not say directly that Rolando was intemperate, but he insinuated that he was, because that was the charge against him. He was willing on that insinuation to ruin his prospects. I have the pleasure of an acquaintance with that gentleman, and I know no more gallant man. I have seen him in the prime of life, and I consider him to possess all the efficiency requisite for a sailor of the highest order; but he has been stricken down.

But, sir, the venerable Senator went further, and alluded to the case of Lieutenant Maury. I received a letter this morning, to which I beg leave to refer, as it is usual in the Senate to allude to letters which members receive. A gentleman who had seen some of the speeches in the Senate on this subject—perhaps those of the Senators from Georgia—said, in writing to me, that he had perused those speeches with great pleasure: and remarked, further: "I see that they have adverted to Lieutenant Maury, and that he has been one of the victims of this board who has been struck down. I have never seen him; but I have considered his fame as coextensive with the world; and I have looked upon him as the first officer of the American navy, and my friends all around me think so too."

That was his opinion; and I venture to say it is the opinion of the country at large; but this board of fifteen, in their small dimensions, did not think so. Of course they could not envy Lieutenant Maury; for we are told by the venerable Senator from Delaware that they retained gentlemen of superior science to Lieutenant Maury! Of two of the scientific gentlemen who have been retained, to whom he alluded, I take great pleasure in speaking, because I have respect for them; and I will give my reason for not mentioning the others. I have respect for Gibbon and Herndon. They have contributed to science and to the honor and usefulness of their country. I have no objection to interpose to the assertion as to the retention of scientific men, so far as regards those two cases; but I can not consent to include others who hae been receiving official preference and favor, and who have been promoted by the action of this board, or had a hand in it. It is immortality enough for them that they were indorsed by the "immortal fifteen." They have passed the ordeal of the