The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-15
A VOICE FROM TEXAS.

The following letter from Texas is accompa
MED by the name of the writer, and we have nj
right to suppose that it was not written in good
faith by a friend of General Houston. We pub
lish it therefore as an indication of the liberia
spirit which prevails in the most Southern State
in the Union. We must say, however, that the
suggestion of the writer, that General Houston
should be taken up by the Republicans as their
candidate for President, is very far from meet
ing our appreciation. The veteran Governor
elect of Texas is entitled to the respect of all
friends of peace and union, but his position is
not such, by a great deal, as would entitle him
to the support of the Republican party. He is
not in any sense a Republican. He is not CD
posed to Slavery or to Slavery extension, and
his whole claim to Republican support is the
fact that he voted against the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, and is determined to ad.
here to the Union, in the event of the election
of a Republican President. This is all very
WELL but, on the other hand, it is true that Gen.
Houston proclaims himself supporter of the
present Administration, including its Infamous
policy of forcing a ProSlavery Constitution
upon the people of Kansas by fraudulent votes
He voted for the Lecompton Constitution. and
boasts of it in speech, made since his election
to the Office of Governor. A moments reflection
must satisfy our Texan correspondent, and all
others, that this single fact makes it impossible
for Republicans to support General Houston, or
even to entertain the nronosition.
NACOGDoCHEs, Texas, Aug. 81, 1859.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
You have doubtless long ere this heard the
glorious result of our late election. Sam Hous-
ton is elected by about 5000 majority. The
Democracy of Texas, which has so long been
thought to be invincble has been completely
overthrow; they are routed, horse, foot. and
dragons. Their ultra Slavery notions have
been knocked into pi, and they have quietly
concluded to remain a while longer in the same
Union with our Republican brethren of the
North. The canvass has been a very exciting
one. 1t seemed as though every species Of
abuse that could be invented was bestowed
upon Old Sam, to defeat him; but never did
the organizer" make greater mistake than
when they attempted to make electioneerinp
material out of his record in Congress. 1t was
urged against him that he had been influential
in introducing the petition of the 5000 Adolf.
ton preachers-a thing which he had perfect
right and which it was proper for him to do. 1t
was said that Houston had promised to submit
with respectful homage to an Abolition Presi.
dent. Houston admits it; says he will still do
it; and the honest, conservative yeomanry of
Texas have said by their votes that they are
like-minded. The news from this election Ger.
tainly ought to be cheering to our Northern
friends. Let them not despair. Texas will
not go out of the Union so long as Sam Hons
ton lives. There is strong Free-Soil senti.
ment among her people, especially among the
laboring classes, and this sentiment is not with.
out its advocates among the very ablest of the
Texas papers. They condemn, as they should
this aristocraey of slave labor and advocate
the true dignity of free labor AS a general
thing, these were the characteristic views Of
the supporters of Houston in this canvass.
Houston is much talked of for the Presi.
dency. 1t can hardly be expected that he will
receive the nomination of the Charleston Con.
vention, nor do believe he would fancy the
endorsement of that excessively Democratic
body: Let the great Republican party at the
North postpone the selection of their candidate