SAM HOUSTON

Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may.

Remember that whatever may be said by a lady or her friends, it is not part of conduct of a gallant or generous man to take up arms against a woman.

Texas, to be respected must be polite. Santa Anna living, can be of incalculable benefit to Texas; Santa Anna dead, would just be another dead Mexican.

I am aware that in presenting myself as the advocate of the Indians and their rights, I shall stand very much alone.

I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.

Texas will again lift it's head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages.

I would not be gotten into a schoolhouse until I was eight years old. Nor did I accomplish much after I started. I doubt if I had gone to school six months in all when my father died. I was fourteen at the time.

All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men.

Whether his policy was right or wrong, he built up the glory of the nation.

In the name of the constitution of Texas, which has been trampled upon, I refuse to take this oath. I love Texas too well to bring civil strife and bloodshed upon her.

A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under.

The civil war now being inaugurated will be as horrible as his Satanic Majesty could desire.

I am aware that in presenting myself as an advocate for the Indians and their rights, I shall claim but little sympathy from the community at large, and that I shall stand very much alone....I feel it is my imperative to adhere to ... a principle enduring as life itself. That principle is to protect the Indian against wrong and oppression, and to vindicate him in the enjoyment of rights which have been solemnly guaranteed to him by this Government.

A nation divided against itself cannot stand.

... a victim of the use of water as a beverage.

[Referring to Jefferson Davis:] ... as cold as a lizzard with the ambition of Lucifer, and what he touches will not prosper.

in respect to his high standing, undeviating moral rectitude, and as a mark of the nation's gratitude for his untiring zeal and invaluable service.

Tell our friends the news, that we have beaten the enemy. Tell them to come on and let the people plant corn.

The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused throughout a community, are essential to the preservation of a free government.

Nothing can be better calculated to advance our interests and character than the establishment of a liberal and disinterested policy, enlightened by patriotism and guided by wisdom.

Union can achieve everything when sustained by gallant hearts and correct principles, while anarchy and insubordination must fail in the achievement of every thing beneficial and glorious to mankind.

I am making myself less frequent in the Lady World than I have been. I must keep up my dignity, or rather, I must attend more to politics and less to love.

We now occupy the proud attitude of a sovereign and independent Republic, which will impose upon us the obligation of evincing to the world that we are worthy to be free. This will only be accomplished by wise legislation, the maintenance of our integrity, and the faithful and just redemption of our plighted faith wherever it has been pledged.

For Texas, a wise and prudent administration in the commencement of her national existence will be universally expected, imposing upon me the difficult and delicate task of setting in complete and successful operation a political body based upon principles so hazardously asserted and so gloriously maintained.

The soldier who gropes for glory must submit himself to discipline. Subordination gives strength and security to an army. He that will not submit to it when corrected and improved by the experience of ages does not deserve the proud appellation of a soldier.