Houston Its Already Written Website


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Houston Its Already Written Website

Houston Its Already Written Website

In the 1850s Sam Houston was probably the most famous living Texan, a legend in his own time. He defeated Mexican dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texas independence from Mexico. For better or worse, Texas was an independent republic from 1836 to 1845, and Houston was one of its leading lights. He was President of the Texas Republic for two terms, and when Texas became a state he became one of its senators.

Sam Houston and Secession

When Sam Houston ran for governor in 1857, he found he was a political pariah with little support within the Democratic party. Times had changed, but Houston had not. The issue of states rights and slavery was dividing a one-united nation into northern and southern camps. Houston, who passionately believed in the future of the United States as one nation, was appalled. Houston supported slavery, but considered talk of secession, of breaking apart the American nation, as treasonous.

Forced to run as an independent, Houston’s bid for the governor’s seat failed in 1857. When he decided to run again in 1859, the country was even closer to all out Civil War. The grand old man—he was in his mix-sixties by them—was going to make a last-ditch attempt to avert what he considered national suicide.

Houston and the Campaign of 1859

Houston got into a horse-drawn buggy and took his case to the people in a series of campaign speeches. He was cheered, and sometimes heckled, but all seemed to admire the efforts of a man who was by common consent a genuine frontier hero. Sometimes the dust and heat was so great he shed his linen duster, and sometimes his shirt, to harangue the crowds.

Texans eventually were won over, at least enough of them to give Houston a surprising victory. By this time all knew he was against secession, yet he was given a 9,000 vote majority when the ballots were counted. But in voting for Houston, they were voting for the old hero of San Jacinto, not for Houston the Unionist. Anti-northern, states rights, and secessionist sentiment still ran high.