The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-28
uryusr RErLEcrIpNs.

1t amiss that the discussions of Sam Houston's marriage to the Cherokee girl, and his alleged desertion of her is like to work an injury to Houston's fame. It says:
 A great many men have had the same weakness and the story Of Hagar and her child never called forth any thing but sympathy for HasaT cberoHse noH Wife episode will add nothing to the glory of Houston. Just drop tear on | the grave of Mrs. Houston Mo-. and let 'er go at that. It seems, strange that when a man leads a truly great | life and expires like great snip pass | ing into the setting sun; in a blaze or glory, sooner or later some short-halr | commence digging up his posthumous children publishing his purported love letters or discover the record of his This is one of the penalties of great ness which the ambitious young man may look forward to with certainty. Possibly Houston deserves some crit icism in the premises. but there are ex- tenuating circumstances. It is pre- sumable that he married the girl in Indian fashion, but 1t was a real mar riage to her, and we think 1t may req sonably be assumed that his intentions were good and that he intended to re- main true to her and become a part of the Cherokee Nation. That much at least we may take for granted. but the Texas revolution awoke the slum- bering fires of ambition which were only sleeping, and the struggles of his countrymen for independence appealed irresistibly to the war spirit which was not dead in him. He was Vir- sinian, with all the true Southron's de- votion to the South. The people Of Texas were mostly Southern men and their struggle drew him as no other call could have done. He had had taste of fighting under General Jack son, and was in the famous battle of Horse Shoe Bend, where the power of the Creek nation was forever broken. All these causes working together were more than a man of Houston's character could withstand. It may be added, also, that he was disappoint- ed man, and though the real causes may never be known, he was bitter and sour against civilization, as Is plainly shown by his turning his back on his people and becoming a member of the Cherokee tribe. To such man the struggle of the brave Texans was like a trumpet call. and we need feel no surprise that he joined his countrymen. And it must also be re- membered that the leading men of the rf-~ At hA leadership of the revolution, and we have no doubt that he even then saw in the future himself as President of new Republic-a vision which was afterwards verified. He would not have been Sam Houston If he had fail- ed to respond to the call.
 But, as already intimated. there is much to be said in his favor. We have no evidence that he intended to forsake his Cherokee wife, or that his leaving her as he did could properly be called desertion. We have tevidence that he tried to induce her to go with him to Texas, and that after he was there he more than once sent for her to join him, and we may assume that he recognized her as his wife and would have made her so in fact and in law. This is a fair presumption from what is known of the circum- stances.
 But Tallihina. with the reserve and self-depreciation characteristic of the women of her race. doubtless felt that she was not fitted to take her place as the wife of one whom she believed was destined to become leader among the pale faces. She felt that she might be a clog on his ambition and a hind rance in the bright career which she foresaw for him. Add to this her re- luctance to leave her people and go among strangers, where she would feel herself an alien and an inferior. and we need feel no surprise that she shrunk from the ordeal and preferred to live alone and die among her peo- pie. We doubt If she ever murmured or made any complaint. She accepted with Indian stoicism the decree of fate and died unknown to the world.
 The comments of The Capital are not just or fair. The attempt to cast obloquy on Houstons Indian wife is contemptible. If Houston had only looked on her as his victim, to be cast aside when be tired of her, no future greatness or height should screen him from censure. but we have no reason to cast aspersions on either him or the unfortunate wife for the course they pursued. As we -Yiew 1t both acted as they deemed for the best and as far as this episode in the mans life is con- cerned We see no cause for abuse Man and wife have long since passed away. both should be kindly thought of and their connection with each oth. CT should be covered with the mantle of charity.