New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-03

To the Editor Of The ~ y. Irfbnrc
SIR: Some time since an article appeared in
your paper in which think you hardly did justice 10
Gov sam. Houson; and think you alsoin error
20 the election Of his successor, &C. My recoectons
those matters land was resident of Texas at The
tme) was that Gov. Houston was never Secessonist.
but. the contrary, steadily opposed it dlroysj GER
tainy up TO Sept. 10, 1861 at which time left Texas
Before the Convention called which endeavored 70
take Texas ont Of the Union the State of Alabama sent
Commissioners Texas to confer with Gov. Houston
and ascertain his views. The correspondence between
Gov. H. and these Commissioners was published at the
time and the reply of Gov Houston to the overtures OF
tie Commissioners was. in my Judgment, rs strongly
Union as it could be and the best papers ever
read on the subject Of Secession. The Convention subse
Gnen met and passed the Ordinance OF Secession To be
forthwith submitted 10 the peoples ana 1t Was made inc
dut of thp Governor TO declare tho result OF that cleo
ton and nj the time the Convention passed an oral
nance reguiriug all State officers, within gwen num-
her of DAYS after the secession of the State 10 take the
oath Of allegiance TO tho Confederate Government and
declaring in case Of the neglect refusal of any State
officer to take the oath required, that his Office should
be declared vacant The number OF days elapsed. and
sam Houston Governor and L. w. Cave, Secretary Of
state refused take the OATH and were applied from
Office accordingly Edward Clark Lieut.. Governor.
taking the OATH and thus becoming the successor OF
Gov Houston Tcaored for his adherence TO the Union.
Ny impression is that j.. w Cave afterward gave in
his adhesion 10 the Coniederacy. but Gov. Houston
never. The Governor, in declaring the result Of the
Election on the question of Secession OF NO Sc.
cesson merely issacd his proclamation declaring the
number of votes or and against but never declared
result of that vote that the State OF Texas was out Of
the Union.
AT the next election for State officers If rccollect
Alright Edward Clark and Francis X. Lubbock were
the candidates for Governor in which election Lub'
book succeeded
There was majority Of some $4,000. believe, in
favor of Secesson-a string of Counties along Red
River on the northern frontier of Texas consisting of
Lamar, Red River Faunin GRAY son. Collins. and per-
hapS other Counties giving Union maiOrites.
think am correct in saying that Gov. Houston was
always opposed in any ereRf Texas joining the Con
federacy In the first place. lac was in favor OF staying
in the Union but. # the people Of Texas were deter
mined TO seccdc he thea In favor OF Texas resum-
inc independent position as the REPUBic OF TEXAS.
At any rate that was my understanding OF his views
BURR s. CRAFT.
I'VE never intended to intimate that Coy,
Houston became at heart a Secessionist. He
had too much sagacity for that. But he lacked
the principle and courage requisite to stand up
boldly for the Union and call on the Govern
ment on one side and the loyal people Of Texas
on the other to support him in putting down
Rebellion and Treason. Had he done this
which was his simple duty-he would have
shortened the War and saved Texas from seri
Gus di>a>terS.-Id.