Emphasis Preaching Journal

After winning independence for Texas by defeating General Santa Anna, Sam Houston was twice President of Texas and helped make Texas a state. He was elected the first Senator from Texas to the Federal Government in Washington, and just before the Civil War he became Governor of the state. He was a crusty old gent who often carried a pistol -- sometimes loaded, but nobody knew when -- and in his long career he had made many enemies. He hated graft and dishonesty in anything, especially public office. As governor he brought several charges against a certain public official. Houston became relentless in his pursuit of this man. Critics accused Houston of persecution verging on personal vendetta. His reply: "No, gentlemen, I am not trying to persecute him. If you will bide your time, you will see for yourselves. I have all the evidence necessary to convict him before any jury; he will be found guilty and sent to prison; his appeal will be thrown out of the superior court, and he will begin his sentence. Then, gentlemen, I will pardon him. For, my friends, I have no desire that the State Penitentiary of Texas be contaminated by such a scoundrel!"
-- Mosley