Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-06
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM
SAW, H0lSTfBN

We make the following extract from letter
from Hon. sam. Houston, addressed to the editor
of the Texas CiDaiaH in which he vindicates his
position upon the great issue of the day:
The time has been when there was powerful
Union sentiment in Texas, and q willingness on
the part of many true patriots to give Mr. Lin
coin fair trial in the administration of the Fed
eral government There was also time when
many Of the best men in the country hoped that
by an energetic demonstration they might bring
about reconstruction OF the government upon
such principles might guarantee the rights Of
tie South These times have passed by, while
GnOn and reconstruction have become obsolete
terms, or if even mentioned il is only in reference
topast events. Iftherc is sany Union sentiment in
Texas, am not apprised of it. When the
millions Of Persia invaded Grcece, the SpaTtans
were not morc united in defense Of their coun-
Try and liberties than is Texas united in support
oi the Ssuthrfn (4,IirsicravJg All tc i,siagss sf
newspapers with all the arts which can be de-
vised viii never be able TO c0ntrovert one of
these statements. The reasons are obvious. The
people of the United States had been born and
reared under the Rgis Of the Union, that Union
was dependent on the Constitution, the adoption
Of it gave il life and disregard OF it has led 20
lis destruction.
Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet having usurped
against the sovereign States, and have thereby
moi only absolyed tue States. but al the people
of the several States from their allegiance 70 his
government, the Federal government having
ceased to exist by its acts Of UsuTpatiOn. llr
has, through his officers, suspended the writ Of
haheas c0Tfus, the bulwark OF American liberty,
and proclaimed martial law in sovereign States.
III am 10 rely on the current intelligence Of tie
day, he has, Though his majoT-general, Mr. John
- ~. -
and assumed the civil administration of affairs
in that State thereby ignoring the Constitution
and setting at naught the sovereignty of the poo-
pie, and has in fact, with more than Fandalic
malgnitY and Gothic haste, sought to incite
servile instruction in that State. If the least
feather had been wanting to break the camcIs
back this act or atrocity would have supplied IT,
His acts and feelings ere such as have never
failed to characterize the heart of a renegade.
If Mr. Lincoln, as he was the aggressor, by
invading the soil of IA sovereign State and caus-
ing the blood of her sons 30 be- shed, even in the
neighborhoOd of the sacred remains OF Washing
ton, after having become President upon a sec
tional issue, in derogation of the teaching Of his
farewell address, wishes to make reDaration for
the wrongs inflicted he has bHt one course left,
and in my opinion that course issto propose an
armistiee that shall withdraw all the Federal
troops from Virginia, suspend the action Of the
Federal forces in all of the southern States, and
the Confederate authorities at the same time guar
anteeing that they viii not advance their troops
into any territory not occupied by them until the
meeting of the Confederate and Federal Con-
gresses at their next session. Should this course
be pursued, there is little doubt but that the
good sense and patriotism OF the two sections
would adopt such measures as would restore peace
arrest the further destruction Of human lite, and
restore, 70 a great extent, the prosperity Of the
two sections, iOT it cannot be imagined that
vain hope Of restoring the Union can ever be
realized.
The South can never TeuuIte with the North,
nor can the North entertain any rational hopes
Of her subjugation. The sooner war is ended
the greater viii be the probability Of establishing
friendly relations between the two sections, and
this cannot fail to promote the mutual prosperity
Of both. Should this be disTegarded, terrific
responsibility must rest upon The heads OF those
who either mterpose power or authority to pre-
vent its consummatiOn.
Trusting that no further misapprehension of
my opinions and feelings may be entertained by
any one, have been thus explicit, and submit
them for what they are worth TO the world.
Very truly, your friend,
SAM HOUSTON.