Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-18
The Position of General Houston MS De-
fined nv Ufmaslf

The Richmond Enquirer OF Friday last
contains letter from Sam Houston, dated
September ls which was written for the
purpose of defining his position, and in an.
swer 10 an article which he saw in the New
York Herald about the 18th or 10th Of Au-
gust which states that General Houston has
no sympathy with the rebellion. In reply
to this he says:
Previous TO the act of Secession by Texas
and while the measure was one of argument
and opinion, my opposition to it was open
and avowed, and my opposition to the acts
of the Convention was not concealed, but
on all becoming occasions fully expressed;
nor did l cease that expression Of opposition
to the measure of Secession until the people
acquiesced in it, when l, as one of them,
unhesitatingly assented to this conclusion;
since which time have attempted to throw
no impediment in the way of this action,
but on the contrary, have performed all the
acts of ddtiful and loyal citizen of the
Southern Confederacy. This was doing no
more than what became me, for have lived
and acted upon the principle that all public
officers should obey the will of their constit-
uents, and all private citizens support the
Government which secures to them their
liberties.
While the Convention was in session, 1
presented communication TO the Legisla-
ture, accompanying resolutions forwarded TO
me by the Executive of Tennessee, on the
subject of coercion, in which denounced,
unqualifedly, such measure Of Federal
policy. Since then, my opinion has under
gone no change.
Had l been disposed to involve Texas in
civil war, had it in my power, for l was
rendered the aid Of seventy thousand men,
and means to sustain myself in Texas, by ad-
herring to the Union but this rejected, and,
in return for the offer, l gave my advice to
the Federal Government that l wanted no
money, desired no Office, aud wished for no
troops; but if Mr.. Lincoln was wise, and
wished to confer benefit upon the country,
he would evacuate Forts Pickens and Sum-
ter, recall all the Federal troops from Texas,
and not take the counsel of such man as
General Scott, or his Administration would
be disgraced. Notwithstanding this, when
my messenger was reported to Mr.. Lincoln,
by his own message, it appeared that he
did not believe that his agent had been faith
full in the discharge of his trust 10 reporting
my opinion. So strong was this belief, that
he Immediately resolved TO send another
messenger and troops to to the South.
My only son-sbove the years of child
hood and he is only STRIPPING of ghteen-
attached himself to the first company that
was raised in the neighborhood; he has been
mustered into service for during the war,
| and is dischaTging the duties of soldier,
| equipped to meet the enemies of the South
| ein Confederacy; and, in addition to this, no
less than four nephews have enlisted for
during the war, and are now on their march to
Virginia. l might cite these evidences in
yindication of myself, if 1 chose 80 to do,
but such is not the object it is merely done
for the qualification Of bossting little, and
to let those who were most forward in Seces-
sion see whether they have done more than
have, and am willing to do, for the South.
ern Confederacy. And more than this,
have three other nephews who have been il
Virginia from the commencement Of the war
with the other Southern troops.
l. Il
The time has been when there was power
full Union sentiment in Texas, and willing
ness on the part of many true patriots tC
give Mr.. Lincoln a fair trial in 4hetedminis
tration Of the Federal Government. -" 4
These times have passed by. If there is any
Union sentiment in Texas now, lam not ap
prised of it.
When the millions of Persia invaded
Greece, the Spartans were not more united
in defense of their country and liberties thar
is Texas united in support of the Southern
Confederacy. H.
Good Things from the LOuIsviIIe Journal
A Nashville paper says that Buckner'
men will make capital troops when they ar
little seasoned. If peppering will do fo
seasoning, we guess our boys will give then
enough Of it.
Buckner's Secession flag is flying at Bowl
ing Green. Upon McCook's approach, it viii
probably fly faster than ever.
We congratulate General A. Sidney John
ston, the rebel commander at Columbus