Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-05
SPEECH OF GENERAL HOUSTON DEFINING HIS
POSITION.


rs thy favor e inv Ike,
Hear the hymn tia, We bespoke
SPEECH OF GENERAL HOUSTON DEFINING HIS
| POSITION.
We mentioned yesterday that Gen. Houston of Texas
had made speech defining his position in the present
crisis As there sCme curiosity know what he said
VIC suboin few extracts from the speech as reported
1 in the Houston Telegraph:
1.-The troubles which have come upon the community
are neither unexpected to me- do fail 10 realize all
the terrible consequences vet 10 ensue. Since the pass
age OF the Nebraska and Kansas BILL have had but lit
lie hope OF the stability OF institutions. The ad.
vantages gained the North by that measure through
the incentive anti-savery agitation and the opening
of territory TO ee-so settlement such that
saw that the South would soon be oyerslaughed and
| deprived Of equality in the Governments state oi
things which chvsrous people like ours would not
submit to. Yet los,ered the longing hope that when
the North the dangers of disunon and beheld the
resoute pnt with which people met the issue, they
would sbLudon thei aggressive policy and allow the Gov
eminent to be preserved aud administered in the
spirit with which our foreathers created it. For
this reason i conservative. So long there
hope OF obtaining rights and maintaining our nsti-
tuucus through All appeal 20 the sense OF justice aud
the brotherhood of the Northern people, for pre-.
serving the Union. The voice Of hope weeks sInce
| droNI ID by the guns OF Fort Sumter 1t not now
heard above the tIamp Oi invagiug armies. The mis-
sion of the Union has ceased to be one of peace and
equality and the dire alternative Of yielding tamely
hostile armies, meeting the shock like free
men, is presented TO the South Sectional prtudic,s
sectional hate sectional aggandz ament and ctional
pride closktd in the name Cf Government and Union,
stimulate the North in prosecuting this war Thousands
dupcd into Its support by zeal for the Union, and
reverence for its past associations but the motives
the administration too PLAN TO be misunderstood.
The time has come when mans section is Lis coun-
trv. | stand by mine. All my hopes, my fortunes my
affections cent? red in the ouih When | see the
land for whose defence my blood has been split and the
people whose fortunes have been mine through more
than quafer OF century Of toll threatened with in.
vasion but cast my lot with theirs and await the
| issue.
For years have been denounced on account of my
tlJI,s HE South from the consequences Of the
unhappy which have brought destruction upon
| the whole country. When, in the face OF almost nv
entire section, and powerful Northern strength, OPP
posed the Kansas and Nebraska BILL the bitterness OF
language was exhausted to Cecry and vilify me- When
pictured the consequences Of that measure ard fore
| ;od its eiiects, UNDECIDED. Now, when every
Northern Who supported ihat measure is demand
ing the sutjugaton of the South people the
real feelings which acuated them supporting il. De.
vott d as peace and to the Union have strug-
ged against the reaz alton Of my prophecies
Every result foresaw has already occurred II was
bring peace and strength the South Il has brought
war; and spread free soil amos. TO the northern bo der
Of Texas All We do now is 10 stand firm by what
| we have, aud be more wis in the future.
The uube is upon Us, and no matter how it came, or
| who brought It on, we have 20 meet il. Whether we
have opposed this secession movement favored it,
must alike meet the consequences. sought calm and
prudent action. desired united and prepared South
if we must leave the Union. Entire cooperation may
be possible, but we have ample strength for the
srugge if we now husband it Alright. We must IL {
now whether are prepared or not
| Ny position taken month since. Though | op-
posed secession, for the mentioned that the
policy OF coercion could not be permitted The attempt
"A ,at a.,
iug eleven States and millions OF people as rebellion
would show that the administration at Washington did
not comprehend the issues involved refused to
listen TIE dictates Of reason, justice and humanity.
stubborn TO force when moderation necessary,
would destroy every hope Of peace and the reconsruC
ton OF the Union.
| Now that not only coercion, but vindic.ve is
about TO be ipapgurated stand ready 10 redeem my
pledge TO tie people. Whether the Convention acted
right or wrong is the question. Whether was
treated Justly III Justly is not now 10 be considered.
put all that under my feet and there it shall 0y.
Let those who have stood by do the same, and let
| us all show that at tine when peril environs our
| beloved land, We know how TO be patriots and Tex
ans.
Let us have no past except the glorious past whose
heroic deeds shall stimulate resistance 10 oppres
sion ard wrong, and burying in the grave of oblivion
all our past cutes let US 90 forward determined not
to yield the position which the people have assumed un
Gil independence is acknowledged, or 1t not acknowl-
edged, Wung from our enemies Dy tne lOfCe OF our va
lor. II is no time TO turn back bow the people have
put their hands TO the plough-they must go forward
To recede would be tnan iguomny. Better meet
war in its deadGst shape than crrge before enemy
whose wrath we have invoked make no pretonsons
as TO myslf have yielded up office and sought retire
ment preserve peace -moas Vu. people Ny services
perhaps, are not important enough to be desired
others are perhaps more competent 10 lead the peo-
pie through this revolution.
have been with them throgh the fiery ordeal once,
and know that with prudence and discipline tn cour-
age will surmonnt al obstacles. phoud the tocsin Ct
war calling forth the people to resist the invader reach
the refinement to which shall go, will heed neither
the dtnui cations of my enemies or the charm Of my
own frcsdc hut will ioia the ranks of NY counuymen
TO defend Texas once agaln. fhon will ask these who
have pursued Inc with malgnity, and who have de-
nrlnced me as traitor TO Texas snd the South to
poye themselves more true when the battle shock shall
come Old and worn as / am, shall not be lagglrd- -
Though others may Lead shall not to follow and
though may end life in the ranks, where commenced
It. shall feel that The post OF duty is the pest of honor
| have eYef Leen ssnsesgvEis, SsS conservative as
long as the Union iasted-Gm conservative citizen OF
the Southern Coniedersc and giving to the coustitu
ted authorities of the county, civil and military, aud the
government which a msjority Of the people have fp
proved and aoquiesced iD an honest obedience, feel
Ihat shall do less than my duty did not pross upon
others tie Importance of regarding this tie rs duty o
| a good citizen