Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-17

or two later that Houston was
drawn into Texan affairs. The large
Connecticut colony induced to so into
Texas In 1870 had been in violation Of
Santa Anna's promise, in 1880 incor-
porated into the neighboring Mexican
province Of Coahulla and thus sub
iected TO Mexican law and govern
ment. These Americans in Texas,
with loyal intent, thereupon organized
a distinct province, and they elected
Houston as their delegate to the con-
vention that had been called to revise
the Mexican constitution, which in
1924 had borrowed largely from that
OF the United States. The colonists
had increased in number 90 10000
when Houston became their delegate
The crafty Santa Anna, alter repeated
efforts for peace, d d not begin hostll-
tiles until 1895 Though superior 10
ability, Houston did not become
commander-in-chitf till the post was
resigned BY Colonel S 4. Austin, the
son of the first cOlOnlst, in the au-
tumn Of 1885. Houston's clemeney
to Santa Anna after the massacres he
had perpetrated was loyalty to the
rules Of war.
During the eight years from 1881 to
1915, of Texas Independence, Hous-
ton was faithful to every obligation OF
lie. 1t was during this period that
he obtained a divorce from tho legis-
lature of the state of which he was
president, and married one OF the
most accomplished and devout o.
Christian women, who, with a large
family of children, survives him
When, at last, annexation could be
effected instead of aiming at independ
ent empire, Houston promoted to the
utmost the annexation of the state Of
which he had been the father.
In Washington, as senator from 1919
to 1861, no tTuer statesman than Sam
Houston sat in the capitol. In social
relations no sign OF vice appeared, tor
he was of the Roman stamp, so hon
ored recently by the Tribune as o type
of the republican leaders of France
Though unable to bring his family to
| the capital, they were always in his
thought. He spent Sunday afternoon
in writing to them; and he ever spoke
in all company Of the fact that to his
wife he wa. indebted for his chief hon
or and happiness. From bis coming
70 Washington his seat was never va
cant in the place OF worship; he often
referred to a discourse on the words,
"Better is he that ruleth bis own splr
It than he tina. taketh a city" as the
religious crisis of lie lite; he rost
above the twO-iold conviction which
restrained most public men from .
public profession of Christian faith.
namely: the suspicion Of hypocrisy and
of sectarianism, and was baptized
when at the very height OF his politi
cal expectations.
When secession and the war follow
ing it came, Sam Houston was almost
alone in opposing it. in open word
and in direct acts. When in varied
companies the remark was dropped
that Lincoln would not be p~eaceably
inaugurated, Houston firmly said
THE man that attempts to prevent 1t
shall walk yer my dead body!" True
to his word, when on the day Of IN
auguration yidettes we're at ever,
street corner where the procession
was to pass, close up to the left side o
the carriage in which Lincoln sa'
With Buchanan on his right, the tai
form of Houston, mounted and armed
was seen throughout the whole route
pressing SO closely up to the wheels
that no mau could have passed be-
tween
Such a record should set aside any
suspicion that Houston was not IL
every relation a model Of loyalty, Re
firing to the bosom of his family be
lived two years ia yet another political
exile; but adored in his FIRMLY, and
not "an alien from the commonwealth
Of the redeemed"
GEORGE W. SAMSON.
NEW YORK, Nov. B. 1880.