Democratic banner., 1845-06-21
(From the Washington Union.)
SKETCH OF GEN. SAN. HOUS

(from the Washington Union.)
SKETCH OF GEN. SAM. HOUS-
TON.
We are indebted to an able cor
respondent for the following interes-
ting sketch:
New ORLEANS, May 90, lG45.
DEAR SIR: Our friends have trea-
ted Houston kindly, having invited
him to a public dinner, and afforded
him an opportunity, by a public
speech, to explain his course on the
annexation question. He declines
the dinner. but makes the speech this
evening. After tina, he goes to NHh-
vile by the iirst rood conveyance.
He delivered Il temperance speech
yesterday evening, gratifying Il large
audience by an clocution and SEMI
ment that would have commanded
applause from the best critics. The
truth is, Houston is an improved man.
Fortunately married to a lady of fine
endowmentS, combining genuine re-
ligion with an amiablc simplicity of
manners, natural goodness OF heart
with a romantic taste, he realizes IN
the connection those fruits so'happi-
ly described by Frederika Bremen,
as the effect OF happy union of the
sexes.
Chastened by deep ~ai!liction, and
wonderfully preserved by Providence
from the wreck which usually over
takes those who embark on a sea of
wild adventure, Houston comes back
TO his native land with n renovated
constitution. and i mind greatly ex-
banded. He Scems determined to n,
tone for the disappointment of his
friends, when he exllcd himself. and
sought IN asylum in the hospitality of
old King Jolly. by ~dedicatinc his fu-
ture life TO their service. as the able
advocate OF virtue, and the firm sup
porter ofthose great principles which
form the basis OF the democratic par
". There was never 4 man more
popular than he now is with his coun-
trvmen; and this is no small compli-
mcnt when we look at the trials he
has encountered with them, and the
magnitude of the interests he mara
ged for them. 1t was his policy and
tact, maintained against all the OBJ
Stacles which envy and recklcSsncSS
could throw in his way. that destroy
ed Santa Anna. so, also, was il his
skill ard judgement that saved the
republic IN Its civil administration
from being torn 10 pieces by the spir-
ii Of reckless mismanagement and
extravaganza.
We should not be surprised, then.
If he has sought for Texas better
terms for lis incorporation into our
Union, than are offered by our join,
resolution; nor should we blame him
if he is less noisy than some others
of his countrymen in welcoming the
reunion Of the two republics. He
was determined never TO abandon the
cause Of annexation, and hence BAT
fled every proposition TO enter into
alliances or treaties with other pow
ers, that would have created an IL
terest adverse 10 union with US. But
ne hoped for n better law than thai
passed by our Congress. He did no,
understand, as we did. the compost
ton Of parties in the United States.
He did not see that the British feel
ing, aiding the a~bolitIonists, and ever
ready To sustain the i%nllucncies ad-
verse TO the true theory of our Sys-
TEN OF our government, might put ii
out Of the power of the democratic
party TO pass a better bill for Texas
at the next session of Congress. Let
US not blame him, then, for supp0sing
! that, under Mr.. Walkers amendment,
more satisfactory terms might have
been. obtained.
II is enough foruS to sec that, when
informed Of all the circumstances
which bore upon the subject, he made
no opposition; and in reality has, by
the influence of his talents & coun-
sells, secured to the measures the al
most unanimous vote Of his country,
He has enemies that will be less
charitable. | must confess that, al
one time, | was among those who
feared he had mcdilatcd the estab.
iishment of an empire in Texas adj
verse to the interests of the United
States. But now that the measure
is safe, Il calm examination of his
acts, and the decisive aid he gave the
measure, when he saw the designs o
, Great Britain and Mexico fully de
veloped, | am satisfied that we can
not ton much thank him.