Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-09-25
Remarks of Gen. Houston.

VII 'lo iasI uuJ VI lIS eApa eeSsioh oeh'
Houston remarked that, although he had la
ken very little part in the discussions which
had been indulged in the Senate recently,
he had not been an inattentive or uncon-
cerned listener. He had seen ten years
service in the Senate, and thirty years ago
was in the public councils Of the country;
but during the whole time Of his service he
had not seen crisis like the present, por-
tending such evils 10 the peace and even
threatening the perpet,iiiy 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 cooperating in a
different work than exasperating the irrita-
ted feelings of the North and South. The
times were sadly out Of joint, and there
must be some occasion for it. There must
be some latent disease that required rem
edy, and he would therefore 20 back and
inquire what was the root Of the evil. He
deemed that he had found The Pandora's box
from whence ali the difficulties had origina-
ted, in the repeal Of the Missouri Compro-
mise. Before that fatal step was taken, all
was trauquli'y and peace; but since that
time all has been discord and contention,
bloodshed and strife.
This result had been predicted by MIN al
the time, but he hoped these evils might be
brought to termination without any fear
ful disaster TO the Union. He hoped and
believed that the wisdom Of The American
people would yet gdeviSe some remedy for
these troubles, which he thought had all
sprung from the ambitions views OF ind.-
viduals; aud he trusted that Providence,
which had guided this nation through many
perils III days past, had yet rich blessing, in
store to lavish upon us. Ii the Missouri
Compromise could be repealed, after having
been regarded as a sacred compact for the
third of a century,why could not the organ
ic act be repealed alsoP and were moi the
laws of the Territorial Legislature, which
were made in pursuance Of that organic ucl, ,
likewise repealnble? Those laws had been
justly styled disgrace to the age, and ought
not TO be suffered TO remain on the statute
book.
He proceeded to define bis political po
siton. He was reared as a Jacksonan
Democrat, but he was now a member Of
the Native American party; and he took this
occasion 10 defend their principles. He
said they warred against no sect, but against
/ the union of Church and State, which was
dangerous 10 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 Protestansm, and to establish Popery
he felt that it was the duty of all who were
in favor OF free religion and an open Bible
to place themselves on the defensive, and
use all their efforts 10 thwart these Jesuit
cal designs.
Mr.. Clay inquired whether the American
party were in favor of the restoration Of the
Missouri compromise?
Mr.. Houston said that as a party they
deprecated all agitation that threatened the
peace of the country. He believed that
there were insuperable objections to the
restoration now, but he would give half of
all he possessed if the state Of things could
be restored which existed prior to the re-
peal of the compromise. His cardinal prln-
ciple was, that the Union must and shall be
preserved; and if he were TO hear a man Of
the party to which he belonged Utter word
against this Urion, although threcscore
years might have somewhat relaxed the Wig
or of his frame, he would knock HIM down
| forthwith,