Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-11

HERO OF TEXAS AND UNION-Sam Hous-
ton fought compromise and secession to
the bitter end.-Photo From Library of
Congress
Lone Star flag was hoisted in an atmosphere
Of excited and belligere1t expectation Gov
Houston's plea that Texas fight for her
rights "in the Union and for the sake Of the
Union" fell on deaf ears. A secession con-
vention was called.
Fighting desperately to hold on to the
reinS of government, he called a special SeS-
sion Of the State Legislature. denouncing
extremists both North and South and insisting
, that he had mot yet lost the hope that our
rights can be maintained in the Union" II
not, he maintained, independence was pref
cradle to joining the Southern camp.
Fought to the Last
But the secession convention leaders.
recognized by rump legislature and aided
by the desertion of the Union commander in
Texas, could not be stopped. and their
headlong rush into secession was momentarily
disturbed only by the surprise appearance OF
the Governor they hated but feared. On the
day the ordinance of secession was to be
adopted. Sam Houston sat on the platform,
grimly silent, his presence renewing the
courage Of those few friends of the Union who
remained in the hall
But there were few who trembled as the
ordinance was adopted and submitted to the
people for their approval at the polls one
month later Immediately the lighting ex-
Senator took the stump in a one-man cam
pagn to keep Texas in the Union. Ugly
crowds stones and denunciation as q traitor
met him throughout the State.
Now 10 years old, but still an impressively
straight figure with those penetrating eyes
and massive white hair, Old Sam closed his
tour in Galveston before jeering and ugly
mob. Some Of you laugh to scorn the idea
Of bloodshed as the result Of secession" he
cried, "but let me tell you what Is coming.
You may, after the sacrifice Of countless
millions Of treasures and hundreds Of thou
sands OF precious lives. as q bare possibility.
win Southern independence. II God be not
against you. But doubt It, The North Is
determined to preserve this Union"
His prophecy was unheeded. On Feb
ruary %, Texas voted for secession by o large
margin; and on March 2. the special con-
vention reassembled at Austin and declared
that Texas had seeded. Gov. Houston, still
desperately attempting to regain the initia.
tive. indicated he would make known his
plans on the matter TO the Legislature.
Angry at his insistence that its legal authority
had ended, the convention by a humping
vote Of 100 to 2 declared Texas to be part
of the Southern Confederacy, and decreed
that all State officers must take the new
=.
ernor's secretary merely replied that Gov.
Houston Ibid not acknowledge the existence
of the convention and should not regard its
action as binding upon him"
Scorned Secession
On March IA, as an eyewitness described
1t. the convention hall was crowded :.
electrified with fiery radiations, Of men tin
Cling with passion and glowing and burning
with the anticipation of revengeful battle. The
air was full Of the stirring clamor of multi.
tude OF voices-angry. triumphant, scornful
with an occasional oath or epithet Of contempt
but the voice OF Sam Houston was not heard"
AT the appointed hour. the convention
clerk was instructed to call the roll Of State
officials Silence settled over the vast audi
ence, and every eye peered anxiouSy for O
glimpse Of the old hero
Sam Houston!" There was no response
Sam Houston! Sam Houston!" The
rumbling and contemptuous voices began
again. The Office Of Governor Of Texas, Con-
federate States of America was declared to be
officially vacant; and Lieutenant Governor
Edward Clark, "An insignificant creature,
contemplate. spry and pert" stepped up to
take the oath
In another part of the capitol, the Zero Of
San Jacinto casting aside lifetime Of poll
tical fortune. fame and devotion from his
people, was scrawling out his last message as
Governor with broken heart:
Fellow citizens. in the name Of your
rights and liberty, which believe have been
trampled upon, I refuse to take this OATH
In the name Of my own conscience and my
own manhood - refuse to take this
oath .(But I love Texas too well to bring
civil strife and bloodshed upon her I shah
make no endeavor to maintain my authority
as chief executive of this State, except by the
peaceful exercise Of my functions When I
can no longer do this shall calmly withdraw
from the scene. {. =. am stricken
down because will not yield those principles
which have fought for . the severest
the State Of Texas"
Tomorrow: Edmund 6. Ross. who soved o President
Copyright 1856 by John F. Kennedy