The sun., 1893-10-01

Bccth. He said. "some OF you laugh 70 sccrI
the idea OF bioodshed ss the result Of seces
sion. and joeulariy propose to drink all tn,
blood that will ever iow in consequence OF II
But let MO tell you what 10 coming on tn,
heels OF secession. The time will come vher
your fathers and husbands, your sons ant
brothers. will be herded together like sheer
and cattle Mt the point OF the bayonet, ent
your mothers and wives and sisters ant
daughters will ask. Where are they2 And
echo will answer. Where2 You may, after tns
sacrifice Of countless millions OF treasure and
hundreds OF thousands OF precious lives, as
bare possibility, win Southern independence
IL God be not against you. but 1 doubt
It. / tell ron that, while ] believe with
you in the doctrine OF State rights. the North
is determined to preserve this Union. They
are not fiery inipulsive people. as you are
for they live In colder climates. But when
they begin to move In given direction where
great interests are involved. such as the pres
ent issue before the country. they move with
the steady momentum and perseverance OF q
mighty avalanche: and what [ fear is they
will overwhelm tho South with ignoble defeat. ~
Nevertheless, Houston said in conclusion he
should abide by the action OF his State. On the
ground. however. that the Convention, while
empowered to submit tho question of seces-
sion to the people, had no authority to unite
Texas with the Confederate States. he de-
clined to take the oath OF allegiance to the
Confederacy. When the day came to take the
oath tho presiding officer OF the Convention
called three times. Sam Houston. Sam Hous-
ton. Sam Houston" but the Governor re-
mained In his office In the basement OF the
Capitol whiting pine stick. He was there
upon declared deposed from his office and
IN du-nrI TI,rl l. L.,
An enemy wrote Of this incident: Houston
has sunk out OF sight, leaving not n ripple on
the surface" 1t Is true that he retired to rrl.
vate life declining to fight again ST the Union
or against the people OF his State. Ho refused
the oiler OF Major Generals commission from
President Lincoln. and when his eldest son en-
tered the Confederate service he fitted him out
with arms and equipments though he is said
to have told his son jocosely that the most ap.
propriate place for his secession rosette would
be on the inside Of the tail Of his coat. There
is no doubt that Houston's later years were
passed in poverty. but he was not destined to
witness the fulfilment OF his foreboding as to
the fate OF the Confederacy. He died soon
after the fall OF Vicksburg, on July 20. 1862.
chapter of this biography is devoted to
Houston's personal characteristics. We have
already touched on most OF these but word
should be said about the kindlness Of his
nature. His manners to women were remark
ably courteous and deferential. We are told
that his word Of address was not Madam"
but Lady," and no matter what might be a
woman's rank or station the politeness and
consideration which he showed to her would
be the same. We are assured that this was
not affectation. but sprang from genuine
impulse OF respect and chivalric feeling. His
family affections were deep and strong. His
second wife. to whom he owed SO much for her
influence upon his personal habits, was re-
garded with profound love and reverence. The
borrows Hawthorne's phrase to
make us understand the charm OF his manner
toward the young: he had. We are told. a
smile which children loved. and gained their
confidence and affection at once He was
fond OF playing with children. and OF
telling them stories. and was constantly en-
gagged In whiting out toys for them from his
supplies OF pine sticks. His own children were
brought up In freedom and confidence and ut
tho same time with judicious education and
training. His slaves were kindly treated. and
were. in a measure. members Of the family.
He was generous and helpful to all persons in
distress and what money and property he had
It is recorded that he once pulled of his coat
and gave it TO n ragged soldier who had served
1t San Jacinto. and his acts OF charity were
numerous ami spontaneous.
Although the present biographer regards
he figure OF Sam Houston with sincere and
ively sympathy. 1t Is lot denied that the limi-
ations OF his character forbid his being reck-
,ned among the worlds great men. 1t Is
submitted. however, that he wasa strong man.
capable OF great achievements. practica,
minded in spite Of eccentrIcitIes and weak
,esses. with wise conceptions Of statesman
hip and politics. determined and Courageous
md devoted to the welfare Of his people. There
yill never be another Sam Houston in Ameri-
an history. for the state OF society which pro-
luced him has passed away. A tyne Of his
ime and circumstances. he rose above them
" his capacity and energy. There were others
Ike him, but he surpassed them all. except his
Andrew Jackson. M. ". II.