The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1860-12-13
NO. 81
Old Sam IIou.tou.

via sam nOuStOns r.
A letter from Sam Houston. in reply to
the demand that he call conysution for
the purpose Of taking Texas out Of the
Union, is published, in which Old San Ja-
cinto talks like hero and patriot. He
says: ~. y ao
fthe Union be dissolved now, will Wa
have additional security for slavery Will
We have our rights better secured? AftsE
enduring civil war for years. will thsfAks
any promise Of a better slsts Of thinRa
than we now enjoy? Texas, especially,
has these things TO consider. Our treas,
ury is nearly empty; we have near half q
million Of dollars in the treasury of the
United States; m Hon Of cur school fund
is inves;ed in United Safes Bonds; ne
have an exten.ire frontier to defend. PEI
cuniary or personal considerations ought
TO weigh nothing when tyranny is 10 the
scale; but Sie We justified in sacrificing
these when We have yet the Constitution
to protect MS, and our rights are sseure?,
Let US not embrace the higher law princi-
Iple Of our enemies. aud overthrow the
Constitution, but when we have to resist,
let it be in The name of the Constitution
and to uphold it. IA -. ..s. %
Why this military display and call To-
arms in Texas? Have we enemies at home;
or is an army marching upon usP
When was there the time when the cit-
~ ha Awv ~
fock to lis standard in its defence? Are
the people to deliberate on this question
with military despOtisn in their midst
ready to sOerce them'
! peGd not assure you. that whenever
the time shall come when we must choose,
between loss of our constitutional rights
and revolution, shall choose the latter;
and, il l, who have led the people Of Tex,
as in stormy times Of danger, hesitate 10
plunge into revolution now, it is not be-
cause I am ready to submit to Black Re-,
publican rule, but because / regard the
Constitution Of my country, and am de-:
termined to stand by it. Mr.. Lincoln has
been cOnstituliOnslly elected; and much a.
depreeste his snceess, no alternative 10
left me but to yield to The CoaeIitution.-
Tie moment that instrument is violated.
BY him, will bo foremost in demanding
redress, and tie last to abandon my ground.
a
So long as the Constitution is naintsin.,
ed ty "lederal authority" aud Texas ie
Lot made the victim of federal wrong" T
am for the UL;on as It is y I.f..o
am now an aged man. My locks have
become white in toiling, as believe. for
the Liberties of mankind. Were young.
that might look forward to the future,
feeling that whatever danger might come.
my strong arm would b- at hand. to de-
ieud my family, l should feel less anxiety
than do at present. The years that I
will have 10 endure the misfortune of civil
war are but lew. II could feel that with
the close of my career would end The mis-.
cries Of my iace. | could share lis misier-,
tures with patience, bu! 10. feel that the.
perils Of revolution must continue, that
war. with its attendant horrors uf blood,
!, sired. rapine and devastation. must still BE-
visited upon il, would embitlsi my lass.
moments; and after. living to witness the.
demolition Of the best Cover lm.nt that,
ever existed, would sink 10 the grave
without hope lhat heedom would be re-
generated, or our pOsterity ever enjoy a..
gain the blessings with which we had part.
ed. LIE, US pause and ponder well before.
we take any action outside OF the Consti-
tuition.