FROM MY FRONT PORCH A demonstration of leadership as great as Texas

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

A demonstration of leadership as great as Texas

SAM HOUSTON

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

With our most recent election behind us, I have heard some say we can now put politics on the back burner and not pay much attention until the next election. Talk like that always concerns me. What is politics but another way of describing our joint existence as a society and how we are going to manage our collective business? How can we simply turn our backs to what goes on and declare we will deal with issues in a couple of years? We must be more engaged and stay aware of what is happening so we can voice our opinions and work to ensure our politicians make decisions in the best interests of their constituency.

Wyndi Veigel, who is an editor at a Texas newspaper, has spent a portion of her career in Marshall, Texas. She recently reached out to me with a story about General Sam Houston speaking in Marshall when he was running for governor of Texas during the election cycle of 1857. Sam went to Marshall to speak in the hometown of two of his most outspoken critics, Robert Loughery and Louis T. Wigfall. During the visit, a debate was scheduled between the Texas icon and his opponent for governor, Hardin Runnels.

Under the cover provided by a huge live oak, in an overwhelmingly secessionist area, the Unionist Houston spoke so eloquently that Runnels, who was scheduled to follow, declined to speak. Though he lost the election, Houston’s electrifying oratory brought him 48% of the Harrison County vote. During the speech, Sam wore his famous leopard skin waistcoat and proudly announced to all those in attendance he had always been in favor of the Union and like a leopard, he would not change his “spots.”

The tree of which Sam spoke eventually died and was cut down, but a large cross section of the famous tree has been maintained. A Texas State Historical marker now has been placed near where the tree once stood.

Not sure many folks today can appreciate the sheer courage and character it took for General Sam to speak to a crowd that held such contrary views. To him, the size of the crowd nor the unbending nature of their viewpoints was a deterrent. He spoke what he believed was the truth, and what he felt from deep within him was right for Texas. Unfortunately, Texans ultimately ignored his pleas and seceded from the Union. The resulting Civil War emptied the Texas State treasury and saw the destruction of the flower of Texas youth. History has proved General Sam knew what he was talking about.

Keep an eye on what is happening in our political realm. See which men and woman have the courage to stand up and be heard and which politicians blindly follow an agenda set forth by some group of politicians and lobbyists whose interest are merely self-serving. The time has come to be vigilant and prevent those who would mislead, lie and deceive the people of Texas, from causing more damage. The right course of action is not always the most popular.

Thought for the day: Society has gotten to the point where everyone has a right, but no one seems to have responsibility.

Until next time.

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260