The Placer herald., 1859-10-15
Gen. Sam. Houston's appeal to the Ladies.


In one of his speeches, while canvassin~
T xas, in his capacity of independent candi
date for Governor, Gen. Houston had for a
portion of his auditory a fine collection Of
females. They who do not fully appreciate
the many excellent traits in the gallant old
soldier and staesman's character, would
hardly expect him to declaim such beautiful
and ennob ING sentiments As are contained
in this eloquent extract. No wonder he is a
fWorte will. the gentler sex, and no wonder
he is the Governor elect of that widespread
and thrifty young State:
Ladies, | know that politics are always
unineresting to you, yet believe you have,
in their general result, an abiding interest.
1t is always a qualification to me to behold
my fair coun,rywomen in assemblages of
this kind. 1t is guarantee that their
husbands, and fathers and brothers are men
Of refinement and intelligence, and appreri
ate their mental capacities, and desire their
coun;enance in their undertakngs Your
pr' nee exercises a calming influence on
those antagonisms which are too of en- engen
dered in .he heat of political contests. All
parties desire your approving smile, and
therefore all are al outraged byyour presence,
know that in di ect administration of
political affairs you have no share; but yet,
reigmng AS you do, supreme in the realm of
love, your influence often controls the destiny
of nations Woman's love is the great lever
which rouses man to action. The general
as he plans his strategic combinations. which
are to insure victory, looks forward to re.
compense dearer than The laurels upon his
brow; the soldier. as he trudges along on
the weary march, or minges in the scenes
Of the battle field, forgels awhile the car
mage and turns his thoughts to the fond gll
he left behind him; the mariner, tempest
tossed, driven by rude wayes, sings merrily
aloft as he thinks of the little cottage bv
the sea shore where his wife and dear ones
await him; the statesman, as he devises.
amid deep and painful thoughts, plans of
government which are to tell upon his own
and his country's fame. never lose sight Of
he joys which await him when cabinet
councils are over, and he enters the portals
of home; The sentinel, as he PAGES his weary
watch, loves the moonlight tramp, that he
may look beneath its RAYS at the dear me
meuto of mothers or a sisters love.
Over man in all his relations, the Influence
of woman hangs like charm. Deprive us
of your Influence, which d'gnties us and
stimulates us to nohler deeds, and we tie.
come worse than harbarians. Let it be ours
and we can brave the canror's mouth, or
face danger in ten thousand forms. You
stimulate all that is good. You check in us
ignoble purposes. You have also 40 i'm
portant influence upon poSie'ity. The early
preston which the child receives from
,ou, ouiIi,e all the wisdom of later days
Sages may reason and philosophers may
teach, but the voice which we heard in in
fancy, will ever me to our ears bearing a
mothers w"l,s and mothers counsels -
Continue to instl into your children virtue
and patriotism. Imbue them with proper
veneration for the fathers of liberty. Learn
them to love their counry and labor for its
good as the great end of their ambition
Bid them proudly maintain our institutions
Point them to The deeds of their ancestors
Make these their escu,rheon, and bid them
hand it down to their children as free from
stain as it comes to them. DO this, ladies,
and yonr influence will not he lost in the
future. In the angl age Of the poet, it will
still he said
"Woman is lovely to the sight,
AS gentle as the dews OF even
AS bright as mornings earliest light,