Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/546

 to be reconciled, and feel pleasant under the infliction. But, considering the humility of my condition, as the gentleman represented it, his attack really suggested to me the fable of the dead lion. Another animal passing by, regarding his lifeless condition, took the liberty of planting its heels in his face, and exulted in the infliction which it made. It was of that peculiar class of animals from which Samson took a jaw-bone to slay the Philistines. [Explosive amusement in the galleries and on the floor of the Senate Chamber.]

. Mr. President, I heartily rejoice that the Senator from Texas, in the generous moderation which he has exhibited upon the present occasion, has said nothing to which I feel called upon to make any reply. That Senator's relations and mine of a personal character, as he knows well, have been long friendly and cordial; and I regret, perhaps more than he that anything should have occurred to mar the kind feelings which have subsisted between us. But, sir, when yesterday the Senator thought proper to indulge in language which I considered exceedingly ungenerous and harsh toward sentiments which I had uttered on this floor, I could but feel that I was called upon to repel the charges he made, and to carry the war even into Africa; but the kind personal feelings which the Senator has exhibited toward me to-day, together with the very exalted compliments he has thought proper to pay me, have disarmed me and suppressed even the temporary feelings into which I was betrayed yesterday after the speech of the Senator. I rejoice that I have it in my power, on the present occasion, to express my regrets that I should yesterday, by what I considered a harsh attack made on my sentiments and myself personally, have been betrayed into any language which was calculated to wound the sensibility of the Senator from Texas.

In pursuance of a notice, I ask leave to introduce a bill to repeal so much of the act of February 21, 1857, entitled "An act to divide the State of Texas into two judicial districts," as creates and establishes a district court of the United States in the eastern district of the State of Texas, and to incorporate the same with the western district of said State.

Before the motion is put, however, I desire to make some remarks explanatory of its object.

I might have claimed this as a privileged question; but not wishing to do so, I have determined to submit the remarks which I wish to make in relation to it on the presentation of this bill. I need not inform the honorable Senate, or you, Mr. President, that a subject of much excitement has occupied the attention of the Congress of the United States, in relation to the impeachment of one of the judicial officers of Texas.

From the reflections which have been cast upon the character of Texas, I feel called upon to vindicate her reputation, and to stand up in the maintenance of her rights, and, as I conceive, her good character. I find it has become historic