New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-08-08
aousroN oN rHE pREsIpENcY.


We find in the Austin Intelligencer of the 1st
instant letter from Gen. Sam Houston, dated
Austin, July slst, and addressed to \. G. Smith,
Esq, :" defining his position on the subject of
the approaching election for the Presidency.
In this letter Gen. Houston says that he has not
withdrawn from the field, as has been reported
in some of the newspapers that Ms name was
presented by his feow-citizens without any
agency of his ewn-that he does not weigh
success against principle, nor abandon cause
from motives of policy and that if it is the wish
OF the people to vote for him they have right to
do SO, and if they do not it must be recolleeted
that he has not asked their suifages.
From the general spirit of this letter we con.
clude that the General is not sanguiue of success
at the present time, and that he keeps in the field
in obedience to the wishes of his friends, and for
the purpose of representing the Union sentiment
of Texas as against secession aud disunion. He
declares, in fact that he was the first to raise
the standard of the CONSTITUTION and the UNION
in Texas, and made the first fight, upon that
simple declaration Of principles, against Dis
union.r His only hope, he continues, is that all
who sincerely desire the preservation of the Gov
eminent will unite together in the present contest
/ against sectionalism.H
This is a sensible and patriotic view of the case.
Gen. Houston correctly appreciates the character
OF the present contest, and urges concentration
of tho Union men of the country upon single
ticket in order that sectionalism of whatever
| SORT may be put down and oyerthrown. So far as
Texas is concerned, he expresses desire that the
| electors associated with his name shall, if sue
cessfu before the people, g be perfectly free to
ali al
man most likely to defeat either sectionasm or
Disunion.a
From this we conclude that the electors in his
interest in Texas chosen to cast the vote of the
State, will so dispose of it to count against Sec
| tional candidates-and we may reasonably infer,
We think that if the General himself cannot be
elected BY the Electoral College, those electors
will have his entire consent that the vote of the
State be cast for Bell and Everett.
If this view Of tho case were taken by the Union
men eyerywhere-if that concert of action among
then which is so essential to success. could be
generally agreed upon--if minor questions Of diff
ference, both as to men and to measures, could be
postponed until the triumph Of nationality ever
sectionaiism were fully seeured-it would be a
grand and glorious achievement. We do not yet
despair of this result being attained. We give the
| concluding paragraphs Of the Generals letter,
which fully explain his position:
have no aspirations for the Presidency, beyond
desire TO be useful to my country. If the part
have assumed in the past years has contributed to
bring before the people the question of Union or
Disuni0n, or such is now the issue,) and to inspire
determination to put down disunion in the North
and South, my ambition will receive more solace
than the Presidency could afford. Could | be the
means now OF putting an end to sectional strife, of
silencing the agitation on the slavery question of
| breaking down parties based on geographical dis
tinetons and OF uniting my fellow citizens in sup
port Of patriotic electors in the different States,
trusting to their love of country to give the Nation
President and Nice-President who would admin
lister the government again with honesty wis
dom, impartiality, and with regard for our
national honor, would be willing to close my
public career, and find in retirement that happiness
which those high in station know not.
While | have expressed no preference for any of
the candidates now before the country, j have at
the same time experienced the hope that the peo-
pie would soon see whittier they were drifting that
the war of factions would cease and that upon
some common basis they would unite and prevent
the triumph OF either sectionalism or disunion.
Party names or party champions should sink into
insigndcance, when the palladium of our liberties
is threatened The blessings we enjoy, the Gov
eminent which our fathers gave us, the Consultation
and the Union should be first in the heart Of every
patriot, and he who fails to sacrifice all else to
maintain these, is unworthy the name of Amer-
can.
Iregard this contest as one in which the perma
nency Of the Union is involved l desire to see
Texas present united front against the effort to
maintain here sectional party; and to this end
desire to say, that it is my wish that tile Electors
associated with my name shall be perfectly free to
cast the electoral vote of Texas for any national
man, most likely to defeat either Sectionalism or
Disunion.
Having ever been opposed to Aboltonism from
the North and Sectionalism, Disunion, aud the re-
opening Of the African slave trade from the South,
/ believe the defeat of these elements should be
the desire OF every patriot.
| cannot close this letter without acknowledging
full sense of obligations to those friends who nave
expressed preference for me, upon principle,
over Others Their kindness has been gratuitous,
for have not sought to influence any in favor of
my advancement and their support is therefore
more highly appreciated.
| hope that in justice to my friends those papers
which have published The report of my withdrawal
will also give this letter place in their columns.
SAM HOUSTON