Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-31
Gen. Sam. Houston.

Gen. Sam. Houston.
We make the following extracts from the speech
of Gen. Houston delivered at Nacogdoches, Texas,
on the 9th inst. The speech is long one, devoted
to number of public questions. We make these
extracts to give our readers some idea of the sub
stance and style of Houston in his late campaign.
II is due to him to add, that he supported warmly
the administration of Mr.. Buchanan His principles
he summed up as follows:
MY principles YOU all know. I have ever been
opposed to banks: opposed to internal improvements
by the general government opposed to distribu-
ton of the public lands among the States; opposed
to taking the power from the hands of the people;
opposed to special mo opolics opposed to protec-
tive tariff; opposed to latitudinous construction of
the constitution; opposed to slavery agitation and
disunion. This is my democracy Point to single
act of my public career not in keeping with these
principles. Will those who are so bitterly opposing
me now come up and compare notes.
HOUSTON ON TIE UNION.
So long as we confine ourselves to the constitution
and he Union, need fear no danger to our nsti-
tutions. Abandon these-let dissolution come, and
anarchy awaits us. Look at the condition of Next
CO. read the pronunciaentos of her rival cheftians.
The plar of Tacubaya was the proclamation of an
anarchy. 1t overthrow the constitution of 1924,
in rapid succession, each bearing its train of pllagc
murder. and oppression If we depart from the
constitution we may expect like result We will
have civil war without end Make Southern con-
federacy and there would be Northern one
These men who have shown disregard for the
struggle of our fathers will care but little for union
when their chief end is attained. Chettains in
every State in the Union would issue their pronun-
cianent0s and followers would flock to their stan
7 -
you by relating. God when he intends to destroy
men, first makes them mad He has madicned
Mexico. She has not the terrible element we have
in servile population, and yet she suffers untold
mlscrieS. He has maddcned these men. Mark me,
the day that produces dissolution of this confedcr-
acy will he written in history in the blood of hui
mainly. All that is horrible in war will character
Use the future of this people. Preserve union, and
you preserve liberty. They are one and the same,
indivisiblc and perfect.
EDUCATION
Upon the subject of education I may be allowed
to present few IDEAS believe it to be the duty
of the Legislature TO provide for the education of
the masses. Not your classical education, but the
b C, a alb, ba k c-r ker education, and so on
up to the mathematics In all the elements of a
common school education necessary to the ordinary
affairs of life, in knowledge of our language and
the history Of the country, your youth should be
educated When community las imbibed these
at the ount OF learning, it cannot be called ignorant
Libraries will be found all over the State Knowl-
edge will then be within the reach Of those who wish
to obtain 1t. Private enterprise and philanthropy
will rear institutions of an advanced character
Those who wish to educate their sons in the sciences
will have ample opportunity to do so, and they gen.
orally have the means to spare to do it with. At
any rate, they should not do it at the expense Of
tnc masses. Great men are not made in these in
stitutions. Not that they are not useful in their
way, but they do not present the mode of education
to which the State should devote its energies The
men OF the nation come from the old field school
house or your private academies. Such you should
foster, because all may avail themselves of them
But great national or State concern becomes the
receptacle Of the SONS of politicians and the wealthy
AS at West Point academy, they arc drilled and
taught-eyes rght-eyes left; but if they haven,
got the brains it is impossible to make great men
out OF :hein Unless Providence stamps the man
Of genius depend upon It, education will not give
it to him. Education may be useful to him. but
you cannot give bin brains. I am for general edu
cation; for such distribution of the common schoo
fund as will aid the people in keeping up goot
schools There need be no fear that the higher de
partIncnts OF knowledge will not be cared for
Young as our State is it already boasts several in
situations which are yearly graduating young mel
who Will compare in point of intellect and capacit,
for usefulness with those from other Universitie
supported by State patronage. We have not yc
reached point when we can afford to nav a tax t.
support an institution where favored few NAV b
educated: True, my child might perhaps be eiu
Gated They might say when am dead and gons
1T is the old mans son. let him in !" But do nc
want any privileges for my children which are d.
hied 70 inc children Of the poorest and least know
Of my fenowcltlzens. ! am for opening wide tn
door OF knowledge to let all in would build II
the old field schoolhouse system from whence hay
gone the proudest names that have adorned Amer
canhistory. Iwould encourage your home colleges
and If in the future there should be such surplr
OF money that no public interest would suffer fro,
the outlay it will be time then to talk about ere,
State institution. The experiment may be tried
we have the money to spare, but proper restrain
tQ the power Of those who control it should be mr.
ylded Measures should be provided against Il
concern being monopolzed by the sons of u5litic;a,
in the vicinity Of the place where it is located TT
scholarships should be apportioned among the cor
ties. upon a fair basis. The peoples monev ",
sustain it, and it should be fairly distributed.
should be for the education of the children of :,
many, not Of the few. But start it when vo,, mn
you Will still find that your common schools y
11rnlSh enupon whom to rely in emergencies.
fernaps YOU will see gentleman's son going dow
win ms parchment diploma in his hand to Olsen
", while the poor ragged urchin who worked eio
months in the year and went ito, school -four Is
become the Washington, wbesviIl Head his count,
men, 70 victory in the hour o4idSheof: the Jacks,
wnowlll stand firm against any Advertisement up
A CONSTITUTIONAL liberties, q the Aau.y v