Daily national Democrat., 1861-06-08


GENERAL IIousroN AT lIoME.-lt would ap
pear from information received recently from
various sources that the position on the Sc
cessiOn question of Governor Houston, of
Texas has been grossly misrepresented here
at the North. Especially has this been the
case with the speech which the Ex-Governor
delivered some weeks ago at Galveston. A
gentleman who has just arrived in this city
from Texas, publishes statement which puts
an entirely different face upon the matter
Says this gentleman:
When the Hero of San Jacinto announced
his intention to speak at Galveston, various
eXpedients were put in motion to drive him
from his purpose. Desperate and la awlessmen,
melted by the unprincipled leaders of seces-
sion, threatenud his life; bills were posted
and freely circulated cautioning ladies
against attending, and containing threats and
intimidations The impression that violence
would be resorted to to silence Houston was
so strong that a very large portion of the
citizens of Galveston were deferred from at
tending.
General Houston was alike Indifferent to
threats and entreaties About an hour be-
fore the time appointed for his address, he
appeared, riding through the principal street
of the city. When he had alighted from his
carriage, he stood for a few moments fear
lessly before the crowd, to converse with
some friends. | followed him, with other
gentlemen, into an adjoining Office. There
were present about twenty, mostly promi
ncnt Secessonists, but friends of the General
All united in entreating him not to persist in
speaking. when it would inevitably be at the
peril of his life. The brave man. however
had but one answer: 81 have lived in vain,
if | cnpoE what
think Ifit has come to that here, may as
well die now as at any time"
4 prominent Secessonist, whose name is
conspicuous among the rebels of TeXas-G en-.
Misunderstanding his conversation, put sever
al questions to Houston touching his present
position, and relative TO certain remarks he
was reported to have made. lie asked Gen.
Houston if he ever had said that jeff Davis
was a perfdious traitor, and was aiming at
dictatorial power Turning to him with a
look of withering contempt, the old General
replied 81 did say SO, and in the presence Of
God think SO: and | will say what | think
though the thunders blast ME here"
As we started to go up to the place where
Houston appointed to speak, l heard man
in the owd ask this same General Nichols
"Well, what did you get out of the old mani"
To which he replied that call he got out OF
him was that he was just going to say what
he id pleased"
General Houston walked almost unattend-
ed to the Hall where lie was to speak, his
friends avoiding him from fear injury from
the excited crowd. On arriving there he
was told that it had been closed against him
by the owners, who feared its destruction bv
the mob. Houston replied that he would
speak in the open air then, and walking
fearessly through the crowd to an elevated
balcony, commenced his address without the
least trace Of agitation or alarm visible upon
bis countenance. After alluding briefly to
the events which had transpired since he was
last in Galveston, he boldly vindicated his
own character from the calunnies which had
been heaped upon him by some of the lying
journals in Texas. He then characterized the
Secession of Texas as iuiquitous and prejudi-
cial in every way to her best interests. He
said that though disunion might be in the
ascendant now, that there was terrible re-
action to come, which would be heard, and
that he stood in waiting attitude for that
! time to come,