San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-10-29

SCENE. Fellow citizens,
think not that I complain Of the lot
which Providence has now assigned
me. II is, perhaps, meet that my
career should close thus. l have seen
the statesmen and patriots OF my
youth one by one gathered 10 their
fathers, and the government which
they had reared rent in twain, and
none like them are now left TO re-
unite IL again. I stand almost the
last OF race who learned from them
the lessons OF human freedom"
Two days after sending forth this
appeal, the Legislature met and
Houston, still claiming to be Cover
nor, sent in a message Referring to
his deposition from Office, he said;
"The Executive can, therefore, but
await your action, and thatof the peo-
pie. II driven atlast into retirement,
in spite of the Constitution Of tho
State, he will not desert his country,
but his prayers forits peace and pros
perity will be offered up with the same
sincerity and devotion with which his
services were rendered while occupy
ing public station" As the Legisla-
ture promptly recognized Clark as
Governor, Houston soon left the Cap
ital and retired to private life. He
still, however, watched, with great in
terest, the progress Of events. When
martial law was proclaimed in Texas,
he addressed an earnest protest to
Governor Lubbock against this anti
republican expedient.
In Houston's retirement he was
not happy. He looked upon secess-
ion as an accomplished fact he view
ed with inexpressible grief the war
measures adopted by both contend
ing armies; he feared that republican
institutions would be superseded by
two centralized dispotisms, in which
the liberties of the people would be
swept away; and the prospect sad
dened him. His last appearance be-
fore a public audience was in the city
of Houston on the 18th Of March,
1863. We copy the opening para
graph of his speech:
"LADIEs AND FELLow-CITTzENs
With feelings of pleasure and friend
ly greeting, I once again stand before
this, an assemblage of my country
men. AS behold this large assem-
blage, who, from their homes and dai-
ly toll, have come to greet once again
the man who so often has known their
kindness and affection, I can feel yet
I hold place in their high regard.
This manifestation is the highest COM
pliment that can be paid to the citi-
zen and patriot. As you have gath
cred here 10 listen to the sentiments
of my heart, knowing that the days
draw near unto me when all thoughts
of ambition and worldly pride give
place to the earnestness Of age, l
know you will bear with me, while
with calmness, and without the fer
vor and eloquence of youth, Iexpress
those sentiments which seem natural
10 my mind, in view of the condition
Of the country. I have been bufetted
by the waves, as I have been borne
along times ocean, until shattered
md worn Iapproach the narrow 18TH
nus which divides it from the sea
of eternity beyond. Ere I step for
ward to journey through the pilgrim
.ge of death, I would say that all my
thoughts and hopes are with my
country. If one impulse arises above
mother, it is for the happiness OF
;hese people; the welfare and glory
If Texas will be the uppermost
thought, while the spark OF life lin
yers in this breast.
Houston's health was now sensibly
leclining, and he died on the 26th Of
July. 1868. In announcing his death,
he Houston Telegraph used the fol-
owing language: "Let us shed
ears to his memory, due to one who
las filed so much of our affections.
Let the whole people bury with him
whatever of unkindness they had for
lin. Let his monument be in the
,earts of those who people the land
o which his years were devoted. Let
lis fame be sacredly cherished by
Texans, not less to his distinguished
Ieryices than to their own honor, OF
which he was so jealous and SO proud.