New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-17
THE POSITION OF GEN. HOUSTON, AS DE
FINED BY HIMSELF.

Tie Richmond Enquirer, of Friday last, contains
letter from Sam Houston, dated Sept Is, which
was written for the purpose Of defining his position
and in answer 10 an article which he saw in The
New York Herald, about the 18th or 10th Of Au-
gust which states that Gen. Houston has no
sympathy with the rebellion. In reply 10 this, he
Gays:
Previous TO the act Of secession by Texas, and
while he MEASURE was one Of argument and opinion
my oppOsi ion TO il was open aud avowed, and my
opposition TO the acts Of the Convention was not
concealed, but all becoming Occa,i0ns fully ex-
Dreeeed; nor did ceate that expression of oppOki-
lion 10 the easure Of Secession Unil the people
queeCed III it, when /, as one OF them unhesitaingy
8ssented TO ills conclusion; tnce which lhe have
attempted to throw no impeachment in the way OF
this action, bat, the contrary, have performed all
the acts Of dulfu and los al citizen Of the Southern
Conlederacy. This dong no more than what
became me, for have lived andacted upon the pTiD-
chile that al public off, should obey the will OF
their constituents, and all private citizens support
! the Government which secures 70 them thelr hb-
erties.
/ "Wbile the Convention was in sessiOn, presented
communication 10 the Legislature, accompanying
resolutions forwarded 10 ms by the Executive Of
Tennessee on the subject Of coercion, in which /
denounced, unquahtedly, such measure OF Federal
policy. Since them my opinion has undergone no
{" Had { been di.rosed to involve Texas in civil
war, had IL in my power, for was rendered tho
aid of seventy thousand men, and means TO sustain
myself IL Texa by adheriug TO the Union; but Ills
rejected, and IN return for the offer, gave my id
vice 20 tie Federal Government, that wanted no
money! desired no Office and wished for no tIoops;
but if Mr. Lincoln 1as vie, and wished to confer
benefit upon the country, be would evacuAte FOrls
Iiskeus ind SUMTER e,sll all tie Federal troops
from Texas and not take the counsel Of such man
as Gen. Scott or his Admin.tr siiOn would be dis
graced. Notwithstanding this, when my message
was reported To Mr. Lincoln, by his own messenger,
IL apueared that be did be eye that hs ent had
been ful in the discharge Of lis trust IN report
ing my opinion. So strong was this belief, that he
Immediately resolved TO send another messenger and
troops 10 tie South.
"My only son--aboye the years Of childhood and
be is only a stripping Of eighteen-atiaehed himself
10 the frtt company that mi ed in he neighbOi-
hood aud he has been musteredinto servce for dur
ing the war, and is discbarging the duties Of sol
der equipped 10 meet the euenes OF tie Southern
Conf,deracy; and III sddition 10 this, no less than
four nepheWs have enlisted for during the war; and
are now on their march 10 Virginia. i might cite
tese as evidences in yindicatioI of myself, cbose
20 10 do but such is not the object; IL is merely done
for the qualification of Boosting little, and TO let
those who were most forward Iii secession rec
whether they have done more than have, and am
willing TO do, for the Southern Coniederacy. And
more than this, / have three other nephews who
have been in Virginia from the commencement OF the
war, with the other Southern troops
The time has been when there was powerful
Union sentiment in Texas, and willingness On the
part Of many true patriots TO give Mr. Lincoln
lair trial IN the administration Of the Federal Gov
eminent These
times have passed BY If there is any Union senti-
ment IN Texas, am not appfised OF il.
I" When tie millions Of Persia invaded Greece, the
Spartans were more united in defense Of their
country and liberties than is Texas united in support
OF the Southern Confectionery.
4" MIR. Lincoln aud bis Cabinet have usurped the
powers Of Congress, aud have waged war against
the sovereign States, aud have thereby not only alb
solved the States Int all the people OF the several
States from their alle ance TO bis Government, the
Federal Government having ceased to exist by his
acts Il usurpaion. He has through his oiicers
American liberty, and proclaimed martial law in
sovereign States. II an TO rely on the current In