Daily American organ., 1856-09-03
Remarks of Gen. Houston.

On the last day of the extra session Gen. Hous-
ton remarked that, although he had taken very
little part in the discussions which had been ill-
dulged In in the Senate recently, he had not been
, an inattentive or unconcerned listener. He had
seen ten years service in the Senate, and thirty
years ago was in the public councils of the coun-
try but during the whole time of his service he
had not seen crisis like the present, portending
such evils to the peace and even threatening the
perpetuity of this Republic. He said he wished it
were in his power to cast oil on the troubled
waters; and he would rejoice to see Senators co,
operating in different work than exasperating the
irritated feelings of the North and South. The
times were sadly out of joint, and there must be
some occasion for 1t. There must be some latent
disease that required remedy, and he would
therefore go back and inquire what was the root Of
the evil. He deemed that he had found the Pan.
dora's box from whence all the difficulties had ORR
ginated in the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
Before that fatal step taken, all tranquilli-
ty and peace but since that time all has been dis
cord and contention, bloodshed and strife.
This result had been predicted by him at the
time, but he hoped these evils might be brought
to termination without any fearful disaster to the
Union. He hoped and believed that the wisdom
of the American people would yet devise some
remedy for these troubles, which he thought had
all sprung from the ambitious views of individuals
and he trusted that Providence, which had guided
this nation through many pers in days past, had
yet rich blessings in store to lavish upon us. If
the Missouri Compromise could be repealed, after
having been regarded as a sacred compact for the
third of n century, why could not the organic act
be repealed also? and were not the laws of the
Territorial Legislature, which we're made in pur-
suance of that organic act, likewise repealable p
Those laws had been justly styled disgrace to tho
age, and ought not to be suffered TO remain on the
statute-book
He proceeded to define his political position. He
wss reared as a Jacksonian Democrat, but he was
now member of the Native American party and
he took this occasion to defend their principles.
He said that they warred against no sect, but
against the union of Church and State, which was
dangerous TO liberty and to the constitution. He
would not disturb Pagan or an idolater in the
exercise Of his religious opinions; but when he
saw every art made use Of to put down Protest
sntism, and to establish Popery, he felt that it
was the duty Of all who were in favor Of free re-
kgion and an open Bible to place themselves on
the defensive, and use all their efforts TO thwart
these Jesuitical designs
Mr.. Clay inquired whether the American party
were in favor Of the restoration of the Missouri
compromise?
Mr.. Houston said that as party they depreca-
ted all agitation that threatened the peace of the
country He believed that there were insuperable
objections to the restoration now, but he would
ive half Of oil he possessed If the state Of things
could be restored which existed prior to the re-
peal Of the compromise. His cardinal principle
was, that the Union must and shall be preserved !;
and If he were 20 hear man of the party TO which
he belonged utter word against this Union, al
though threescore years might have somewhat re-
hxed the vgor Of his frame, no would knock him
down forthwith.