, 1860-04-27
SAM HOUSTON.


The probability TINT an independent more
ment may put Sam Houston before tho people
az a competitor in the Presidential race with
the nominees Of the Conventions a. Charleston
and Chicago respectively, makes his opinions
on current political matters Of some import
anoe. Ee has recently published letter iu
which his position in relation to the Democrat
icp party is defined He says:
The Democratic purity. which eight years ago
carried its candidate into tbe Presidency bY IN
orer erxLe1miug majority, is divided By factions.
Coalitions formed with men Of more ambition
III N patriotism, hare broken down the old land.
marks. Aat'ona! men have given place to Sec
tional agitatcTs. Practical national questions
have Siren Way to abslructions. elaFcry agta-
tion has been rene ~ed in Congress; and the
great wo OF tie I'actcators of 1850 Las been
undoue. Scctiopalisu has been the cauker.
worm which has feas1cd on the parry, until its
vitality has been well nigh consumed,
1t il needless 10 define, ut any length, the ra-
rious hercsies which distrs Ct the country. each
claiming for itself tho name of democracy,-
They each hare their peculiar advocates. and
are suited to peculiar sections or lsms. Wbeth-
or known by thc name Of "Squattcr Sovereign
ty." or ast congressional Slave Code for the Ter
ritories, they Ari alike opposed to tle true
doctrine oil mon intervention" and calculated
to renew and keep alire the dangerous agitation
Of the slavery question, which both the political
parties were pledged to resist, 'tunder whatever
color or shape it Is presented,' Then come ali
the shades Of lisunion at the South; men who
have been the advocates Of reopeni0g tile Atri.
eau slave trade-nneu VITO sustained the Scces-
sim or The iisunion scheme proposed by the
Legislature Of South Carclna-wAo hare coun-
hellcd extreme measures for more than Quarter
nF i ~.
racy, have used ati their energies to promote
the 's"rk oi dlsuuion, and prepare the way fuz
the erection Of southern confederacy. upon
the ruins OF our Constitutional Union.
The Charleston Convention ie to behold these
elements black spirits aud white, and red
spirits and gray .-canglomerated. Men, who
have devoted their lives 10 the service Of the
Constitution aud national principles, are to be.
hold thu huusllsatiug spectacle; and their scnti
ments and coansels a1c to be traupled unde,
loot by those who 20 committed to doctrines
subserslre Of the government and the rights o
the people Of the states.
This isexplicit mud just; but until Old Sar
Jaciuto can purge himself Of tho heresics O
opinion, which IRE not whit less oaious thar
Squatter Sovereignty and the Congressional
Slave Code, ho will prove himself poor cen
sor Of the leresies Of others. lie is avowedl,
q pro-slavery nan to tue extent Of the Dret
Scott decision, as interpreted al the South
and the persistent nnd malignant opponent G
everything which locks towards tue Limitation
Ct his fayori:e institution. But his arraigu
ment Of party to which he has belonged, IN,
which he knows SO well, and his accurate des
criptlou Of tho "b!ack snirits and white. n,
red spirits and gray" now assembled q
Charleston, must be accepted by the so.calle
Democracy, not as the railing Of an enemy, bu
as the confession Of confederate md frienG